Waste management practices and perceptions among firms and communities in Shaggar city, Ethiopia

In Ethiopia, waste treatment, disposal, and reuse practices are limited, posing environmental and health challenges. This study examines the effects of solid waste and wastewater generated by industrial firms in Shaggar City, with a focus on treatment, disposal, and reuse practices from both firm and community perspectives. A total of 303 firms were randomly selected from 1,429 manufacturing establishments across ten sub-cities, alongside interviews with 30 officials from relevant government offices. Data were collected through surveys, observations, and interviews, and analyzed via descriptive and qualitative methods. The study reveals a strong link between waste disposal methods and wastewater treatment practices, with firms relying on open dumping significantly less likely to implement treatment measures. The finding reveal that among firms with no or few positive environmental impact innovations, 72.7% reported a lack of collaboration as a key barrier to innovation. The environmental protection authority and the ministry of science and technology might consider fostering multistakeholder partnerships and innovation networks to enhance the environmental performance of industrial practices. Researchers and practitioners are urged to conduct comprehensive studies analysing the chemical contents of untreated industrial wastes to better understand their environmental and health impacts.