Solid Waste Characterization and Recycling Potential in Hawassa University, Ethiopia

Authors: Hunachew B. Mengesha, Biruck Y. Dessalegn

Abstract:

Owing to the dramatic expansion of universities in Ethiopia, understanding the composition and nature of solid waste at the source of generation plays an important role in designing a program for an integrated waste management program. In this study, we report the quantity, quality and recycling potential of the waste generated in the three campuses of the Hawassa University, Southern Ethiopia. A total of 3.5 tons of waste was generated per day in the three campuses of the university. More than 95% of the waste constituents were with potential to be recovered. It was a lesson from the study that there was no source reduction, recycling, composting, proper land filling or incineration practices in-place. The considerably high waste generation associated with the expansion of educational programs in the university appears worthwhile requiring implementation of programs for an integrated solid waste management to minimize health risk to humans and reduce environmental implications as a result of improper handling and disposal of wastes.

Keywords: Hawassa University, integrated solid waste management, solid waste generation.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI): doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.1090573

References:

[1] Floret, N., et al., Dioxin Emissions from a Solid Waste Incinerator and Risk of Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma. Epidemiology, 2003. 14(4): p. 392-398 10.1097/01.ede.0000072107.90304.01.
[2] Hamer, G., Solid waste treatment and disposal: effects on public health and environmental safety. Biotechnology Advances, 2003. 22(1–2): p. 71-79.
[3] Tadesse, T., A. Ruijs, and F. Hagos, Household waste disposal in Mekelle city, Northern Ethiopia. Waste Management, 2008. 28(10): p. 2003-2012.
[4] Couth, R. and C. Trois, Carbon emissions reduction strategies in Africa from improved waste management: A review. Waste Management, 2010. 30(11): p. 2336-2346.
[5] UNEP, Waste Quantification and Characterization. 2010.
[6] Armijo de Vega, C., S. Ojeda Benítez, and M.E. Ramírez Barreto, Solid waste characterization and recycling potential for a university campus. Waste Management, 2008. 28, Supplement 1(0): p. S21-S26.
[7] Baud, I., et al., Quality of Life and Alliances in Solid Waste Management: Contributions to Urban Sustainable Development. Cities, 2001. 18(1): p. 3-12.
[8] Ayenew, T. and Y. Gebreegziabher, Application of a spreadsheet hydrological model for computing the long-term water balance of Lake Awassa, Ethiopia. Hydrological Sciences Journal, 2006. 51(3): p. 418-431.
[9] United States Environmental Protection Agency, U., Solid Waste Management: A Local Challenge With Global Impacts. May 2002.
[10] Zikmund, W.G. and W.J. Stanton, Recycling Solid Wastes: A Channels-of-Distribution Problem. Journal of Marketing, 1971. 35(3): p. 34-39.
[11] Pappu, A., M. Saxena, and S.R. Asolekar, Solid wastes generation in India and their recycling potential in building materials. Building and Environment, 2007. 42(6): p. 2311-2320.