Applicability of ISWM
Integrated solid waste management can be planned for big cities such as Addis Ababa, Dire Dawa, Bahir Dar, Hawassa, Mekelle and Adama or medium-sized cities such as Jimma, Nekemte, Dessie and Assela, or small towns like Wolkite, Wukro, Debre Birhan, Bedele and Maksegnit. Although the principles used are the same, some of the waste system elements are more applicable in particular sized communities as shown in Table 11.1.
Table 11.1 Applicability of waste management components in different sized cites in Ethiopia.
| Waste management component | Big cities (population above 200,000) | Medium cities (population 100,000–200,000) | Small cities (population less than 100,000) |
| Reduction at source | Highly applicable | Highly applicable | Highly applicable |
| Sorting at household level |
Applicable but not yet introduced as part of the formal waste system but could be done if sufficient start-up funding was available Some segregation takes place through the korales |
Applicable but not yet introduced as part of the formal waste system but could be done if sufficient start-up funding was available and if the cities are close enough to manufacturers willing to take the materials recovered Some segregation takes place through the korales. |
Applicable but not yet introduced, sorting would probably be limited to separating compostable wastes Some segregation takes place through the korales |
| Reuse of items | Highly applicable | Highly applicable | Highly applicable |
| Recycling | Highly applicable |
Applicable if linked to big cities Can be promoted through small-scale recycling (paper for example) |
Applicable and can be promoted through small-scale recycling (paper for example) |
| Composting |
Applicable and can be scaled up at material-processing and energy-recovery facilities Can be scaled up by using the private sector/small-scale enterprises with subsidy |
Applicable and can be scaled up by using the private sector/ small-scale enterprises with subsidy | Applicable and can be scaled up by creating awareness and by organising small-scale enterprises |