The Potential for Solid Waste Recycling in Urban Area of Tanzania: The Case of Dar Es Salaam

Abstract

Recycling and reuse of solid waste has a number of benefits in the overall process of solid waste management. First, it reduces the amount of waste that has to be disposed off; be it in landfills or otherwise. In this way, it reduces constraints on other resources needed in the management of solid waste. Secondly, it is an economic activity through which new enterprises can be created and thus creating employment through collection and reselling recyclable materials, or working directly in the enterprises. In a solid waste characterisation study carried out in Dar es Salaam, it was found that despite the fact that 98% of solid waste generated per day can be recycled or composted, only 10% is recycled leaving 90% to be disposed in dumpsites. This paper we present the results and recommend formalisation of recycling activities in order to reduce solid waste management load to the authorities.