MICRO AND SMALL ENTERPRISES IN URBAN SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT IN NEFAS SILK LAFTO SUB-CITY, ADDIS ABABA

Abstract Nowadays, an increase in the amount of solid waste is the most serious problem facing urban centers in Ethiopia. Addis Ababa City is also affected by the problem. The city administration is taking different measures to manage solid waste. The measures taken by the administration includes policy and administrative measures as well as facilitating the establishment of MSEs by unemployed individuals to collect solid wastes in an appropriate way. Even though, the city administration expectations placed on this MSEs to create livable environment and the means to create new jobs for the unemployed individuals, in reality, most of the MSEs face different challenges. Therefore, this study was set to assess how the MSEs are working in solid waste management in Nefas Silk Lafto Sub-city. In doing so, the study identified the gaps of MSEs when managing the solid waste. The study was based on both quantitative and qualitative data. The primary data were collected from 95 members of MSEs who are taking part in solid waste management that are selected by purposive and comprehensive sampling techniques. The respondents were accessed from woreda 03 of Nefas Silk Lafto Sub-city, Addis Ababa were selected purposively. The data were collected through questionnaire, observation, interviews and focus group discussions. Secondary data was also collected based from Woreda 03 waste management annual plan and report. The data gathered through different techniques were analyzed accordingly to the objectives of the study. The study revealed that different types of wastes are collected by the collection crew in the study area. The main sources of solid waste in the study area are residential areas. Regarding the number of solid waste collection days most MSEs members collect wastes two days per week staying on work for longer hours per day. Based on the objectives of the study safety problems, deficiency of financial management capacity, lack of training, low income, skill gap, lack of transport facilities, lack of appropriate place to store the solid waste, the publics’ lack of awareness in segregating solid waste and lack of integration between government, non-governmental and private enterprises are challenges that the study revealed. Based on these findings some recommendations were suggested. For instance, stakeholders such as NGOs, CBOs and the local government has to work together to fill the knowledge gap. This will improve the overall performance of MSEs in solid waste collection.