Bridging critical gaps in solid waste management in multi-scale urban centers in the

Amhara National Regional State, Ethiopia

1. Introduction

Global population has rose to 7 billion in 2010 from 3.1 billion in 1960 and estimated to be 8
billion in 2025. Similarly, global urban population grew to 1.5 billion by 2010 from 1 billion
in 1960 and is estimated to be 4.5 billion in 2025. The highest share of global urban
population increase and urbanization process has been registering in developing countries
such as Ethiopia. While in 2000, the population of Ethiopia was 63.5 million, currently it has
reached more than 100 million, and projected to be more than 125 million by 2025
(Worldmeters.info, 2016). Similarly, while the population of Debre Markos in 1994 was
49,297 (CSA, 1994), report of Debre Markos office of finance and economic development
(August 2024) shows that the town’s population reached 192,978. This means, on average,
more than 4,789 people have been added each year in the urban population of the town from
1994 to 2024, over the last 30 years.

Solid waste management (SWM) is a growing concern in many developing countries,

including Ethiopia, where rapid urbanization has placed immense pressure on urban
infrastructure. Despite efforts by local governments and authorities to address the issue, the
waste management systems in the region are plagued by critical gaps, including limited
financial resources, insufficient waste collection and disposal facilities, lack of public
awareness, and weak regulatory enforcement. These problems are further exacerbated by the
absence of a uniform SWM strategy that considers the diverse needs and capacities of the
region’s urban centers(1).

As urban populations continue to grow, the urgency to develop sustainable and effective solid
waste management (SWM) strategies increases. These strategies must not only address
immediate waste disposal needs but also mitigate long-term environmental impacts. Bridging
these gaps requires a multi-faceted approach that incorporates innovative solutions,
stakeholder engagement, and policy reforms tailored to the diverse scales and capacities of
urban centers in the region. This study aims to explore the critical gaps in SWM within the
Amhara region and propose strategies to bridge these gaps, fostering a more sustainable and
resilient waste management system(2).
Countries around the world are facing the growing challenge of managing waste effectively.
As rapid urbanization and population growth continue at an unprecedented pace,
governments are allocating substantial financial resources to address escalating waste-related
issues. The surge in urban populations and the expansion of cities have significantly
increased municipal solid waste generation, placing immense pressure on existing waste
management systems. These demographic shifts are compelling nations to innovate and
invest in sustainable solutions to keep up with the rising tide of waste in urban environments
(3, 4).

Most developing-country cities' waste management systems are stressed out, with improperly
managed or uncontrolled dump sites. Failure to offer proper collection services endangers
both human health and the environment (5). Solid waste management practices could likely
be improved significantly if the residents of low-income communities start responsibility for
their garbage and establish a system that is appropriate for their economic
circumstances(6).The population growth and rate of urbanization are alarmingly increasing
across the African continent. However, the technology, financial capacity, cultural practices,
and community understanding required to properly manage solid waste are not adequately
available (7).

1.2 Statement of the Problem

Waste management is a common challenge in urban areas. Municipalities particularly in the

global south are increasingly burdened by waste management because of increasing volume
of urban wastes caused by population pressure, increased living standards of people and
unprecedented urbanization (Guerrero et. al., 2012).

Solid waste management (SWM) remains a critical challenge in many urban centers of
Ethiopia, including those within the Amhara National Regional State. Despite efforts by local
authorities and various stakeholders, significant gaps persist in waste collection,
transportation, disposal, and recycling. Urbanization, population growth, and industrial
expansion have intensified waste generation, outpacing the capacity of existing SWM
systems. These gaps are particularly evident in multi-scale urban centers, ranging from large
cities to smaller towns, where resource allocation, infrastructure, and institutional capacity
vary widely(8).
Inadequate waste management systems contribute to environmental degradation, public
health risks, and economic inefficiencies. Improper disposal practices, such as open dumping
and burning, are common, leading to air and water pollution, which in turn heighten the risks
of communicable diseases and environmental hazards(9).

Urbanization with inadequate waste management practices, such as the widespread disposal
of waste in water bodies, dumping inside roads, and uncontrolled dumpsites, aggravates the
generally low sanitation levels across African countries, including Ethiopia (10). Rapid
urbanization, population growth, and economic development have substantially increased the
generation of municipal solid waste. In urban centers like Addis Ababa, the amount of waste
produced is estimated to range from 0.5 to 0.8 kilograms per person per day, resulting in the
generation of thousands of tons of waste daily(11).

The prevalence of improper solid waste management in Ethiopia remains a significant

challenge, particularly in urban areas. Various studies have reported high levels of improper
waste disposal practices. For instance, a study conducted in Addis Ababa found that around
71.4% of households disposed of their waste improperly, mainly by dumping it in open
spaces or unauthorized sites(10). Another study in Assela revealed that 76.3% of households
lacked proper waste management practices, contributing to environmental pollution and
health risks(12). These findings underscore the widespread nature of the problem across
different regions of the country, highlighting the need for more effective waste management
strategies and public awareness campaigns (10, 12, 13).

In Debre Birhan, the majority (75%) of the town's population disposed of waste illegally into
public places, rivers, and ditches, as well as by burning it inside the village(14). The reason
for this illegal solid waste disposal is the inadequate solid waste collection coverage, with
only 25% of the generated waste being collected(14). Additionally, there are no public solid
waste storage containers or roadside dustbins. Households also tend to dump their solid or
liquid wastes into open drainage systems and any available open spaces (15). It is evident that
household solid wastes are not being properly managed at the source by the generators(16).
Such practices pose a high risk to the local environment. Preventive measures should be
taken to address this issue, at least for the biodegradable materials. Improper solid waste
management causes all types of pollution: air, water, and soil. These waste disposal practices
often lead to floods in the town, especially during the rainy seasons (17).
Aron (2017) has studied energy recovering possibilities from municipal solid wastes in Addis
Ababa. These and other related studies cannot address the issue of urban waste management
system prevailing in Debre Markos town. To the best of our knowledge, only few studies
were conducted on the subject from different angles in the town. Mihiretie (2022), for
example, focused to identify suitable solid waste disposal site selection using geographic
information system and concluded that 21% of the town’s area is highly suitable for solid
waste disposal while 25% is moderately suitable. A critical review of this study, however,
showed that it did not even categorize the hitherto existing open solid waste dumping area as
suitable or not. In addition, it does not accurately show, either pictorially or texturally, the
specific highly suitable areas for dumping from the identified. Moreover, the study ignored
the various processes in which solid waste management entails before reaching an open
dumping site.

In light of these challenges, this study is timely in identifying the real constraints of
household solid waste management practices in the town and aims to provide feasible
solutions to the identified problems. The study is expected to improve existing solid waste
management practices and minimize related issues. Additionally, it will help assess the
practices in the study area and serve as a springboard for researchers interested in conducting
more detailed and comprehensive studies in the Amhara Regional State.

1.3 Significance of The study

Solid waste management (SWM) is a critical public health and environmental concern,
especially in rapidly urbanizing regions such as the Amhara National Regional State of
Ethiopia. The gaps in effective SWM systems not only contribute to environmental
degradation and public health risks but also hinder sustainable urban development.
Addressing these gaps is crucial for creating healthier, more resilient urban environments.

This study is significant for several reasons. First, it provides an in-depth analysis of the
current SWM challenges faced by multi-scale urban centers in the region, highlighting
systemic inefficiencies, resource limitations, and governance issues. By identifying these
critical gaps, the research offers insights that can guide policymakers in developing tailored
solutions for different urban settings, from small towns to large cities.

Second, the study contributes to the growing body of literature on SWM in low- and middle-
income countries (LMICs), offering valuable data and contextualized strategies that are often
lacking in global discourses. This focus on the Amhara region brings attention to the unique
socio-economic and cultural factors that influence waste generation and management,
providing a basis for more context-appropriate interventions.

The findings of this research have the potential to inform sustainable urban planning and
environmental health policies. Effective SWM is a cornerstone of urban resilience, and by
addressing these critical gaps, this study can help to foster cleaner, more sustainable, and
livable urban environments. The results will not only benefit the Amhara region but May also
serve as a model for other regions facing similar SWM challenges in Ethiopia and beyond.

1.4 Objectives

General Objective

Bridging critical gaps in solid waste management in multi-scale urban centers in the Amhara
National Regional State, Ethiopia

Specific Objectives

 To assess the current status of solid waste management systems

 To examine the socio-economic and environmental impacts of poor solid waste
management practices.
 To develop an economically sustainable solid waste management model that promotes
recycling, resource recovery, and proper disposal mechanisms.
 To examine the relationship between the community and municipality in solid waste
management practices.
 To improved waste collection, segregation, recycling, and disposal in collaboration
with local authorities and stakeholders.

1.5 Justification of the study

The Amhara National Regional State faces an urgent need for effective solid waste
management (SWM) due to rapid urbanization, population growth, and increased waste
generation. Current SWM systems are strained by inadequate infrastructure, limited
resources, weak institutional frameworks, and low public awareness, leading to pollution,
environmental degradation, and public health risks. This study is crucial to address these
challenges by offering context-specific solutions for urban centers. It also fills a research gap
in localized SWM studies, supports policy-driven interventions, and aligns with the
Sustainable Development Goals for healthier and more sustainable urban communities.

2. Literature Review

2.1 Solid waste management practice

Globally, about 3.5 billion people, or half of the world’s population, are without access to
waste management services, and open dumping remains the prevalent waste-disposal method
in most low- and lower middle-income countries. Some middle-income countries still dispose
of waste at poorly operated landfills(18).

To make waste management practices as environmentally sound as possible, the US

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed an integrated waste management strategy
and this integrated strategy is considered as a useful policy tool for conserving resources,
dealing with landfill shortages, minimizing air and water pollution and protecting public
health(19).

Waste reduction and recycling play a crucial role in the modern waste management hierarchy
(16) Recycling of solid waste reduces the amount of household solid waste to be collected,
transported and disposed-off promoting cleaner environment and economic
competitiveness(20).

The re-use, recycling and recovery of waste is also a significant source of employment and
economic activity and the recycling of textiles, bottles, plastics will generate new materials
for use in industrial, agricultural, manufacturing and construction sectors(21).

The materials that can be recycled include plastics, wood, metals, glass, textiles, paper,
cardboard, rubber, ceramics and leather. Organic solid waste can also be recycled into
fertilizer for agricultural purposes (19).

In Africa today, waste management systems are not well maintained at house hold level (20).
Since thousands of tons of functional solid waste are generated daily which most of it ends up
in open dumps and wetlands, contaminating surface and ground water and posing major
health hazards to human beings and the environment(22).

In Africa one major challenge of MSW is the creation of enough capital own not only limited
to monetary terms but also in technological and infrastructural advancement. This is required
so as to drive at an environmentally sound waste management where in recovery and
recycling of waste streams across Africa will be achieved(23).

Various studies conducted in Ethiopia demonstrate that, there is poor SWM and many factors
were contributed for this problem. Accordingly, even though household solid-waste service is
given to the population in the sub-town, the service is considered poor by the population due
to institutional, socio - cultural and financial factors such as lack of adequate facilities for
solid waste collection and disposal services, displeasure of the workers with incentives, unfair
placement and improper use of waste containers, inadequate assignment of budget to the
sector, illegal ways of disposing wastes, and insignificant participation of the community in
waste management(9, 12, 23, 24).

A research conducted in one of Eastern part of Ethiopia Chelenko town shows that,
Households’ solid waste disposal ways /practices, (16%) of the households were use private
waste disposal well inside their fence. Open air burning, local informal disposal site, throw
on open space or on street, and throw it into drainage account (30.0%), (18%), (23.0%) and
(7.58%) respectively. The remaining for (2%) of households were use informal waste
collectors (13).

On the other hand in Tanzania waste is collected and kept on the premises until it is collected
by the waste collectors (25). There should be a secondary storage (container) placed at road
side throughout the town with in some distance apart to prevent illegal disposal practice
(42).Solid waste collection on regular time interval (which must be pre-informed) or
scheduling by using bell ringing of musical vehicle (without exceeding the noise levels(24).

The study conducted in Masha, one of the south-western Ethiopian town, shows that, About
(83.58 %) of the respondents did not sort waste before disposing at home. But, only (16.41
%) of respondents did separate store solid wastes before disposing, which are to use as
fertilizer (8.95%) and about (7.46%) use as feeding animal(25).

In Jimma town of Ethiopia, , out of 166 respondents, who had availability of waste collection
skip only 77.11% of clients were utilized and 28.89% of client did not utilized it. Lack of
service availability, smell and odor problem and discomfort of the skip makes them that they
did not utilized the waste collection skip(26).

2.2 Factors affecting solid waste management practice

2.2.1 Socio-demographic characters

Various research finding shows that demographic factors have a significant impact on the
people’s solid waste management practice.

One of the studies conducted on household solid waste management in OJO local
government area in Nigeria shows that, demographic factors have a significant impact on the
people’s attitude and practice towards solid waste management service in the study area.
They found that gender difference (being male or female) have a significance impact on
SWM practice. In addition, educational levels and income of the respondents have a
significance positive relationship, whereas, age of the respondent have a negative relation
with practice of the people on solid waste management activities(27).

The other study conducted in one town of South Africa, carried out study on household
participation in domestic waste disposal and recycling in the Tshwane Metropolitan Area:
The research stated socio economic factors (educational level and income or wealth) and
institutional factors can be the main factors of household participation(28).

Family size, sex, age, average income, house ownership, year of stay and income level and
distance from the main road have an effect on solid waste management (29).

2.2.2 Awareness and Attitude

Public awareness and attitude to waste can affect all stages in solid waste management
process. This has an impact on household waste storage, waste segregation, recycling,
collection frequency, littering and willingness to pay for waste management services(30).

The attitude-behaviour gap often emerges and can be further affected by a variety of reasons
including convenience, social norms, lack of public participation, and lack of education and
awareness of effective waste management techniques (37-38).

One of the study conducted in Assela town indicated that, Lack of adequate knowledge about
solid waste management and not having access to door to door solid waste collection could
have contributed to the reported poor solid waste practice(31).

2.2.3 Willingness to Pay

The households‟ willingness to pay for solid waste collection service is one of the crucial
issues under these socio-cultural factors. The research conducted in Ambo town shows that,
98.44% of effective management group households were willing to pay for private waste
collection services, whereas, 72.79% of ineffective waste management group households
were willing to pay for waste collection services. On the other hand, 27.21% of ineffective
management group households and only 1.56% of effective management group households
were not willing to pay for door to door waste collection services (40).

2.2.4 Distance from the Main Road (Location)

The study conducted in Ambo shows that, from the total sample households, who manage
wastes improper manner (ineffectively), majority of the respondents (42.65%) were living
200- 500 meters far from the main road, whereas, from those ineffective management groups
only small portion (29.41%) were living near to the town main road (less than 200 meters),
where access is available. In contrary, from the households who disposed wastes properly
(effectively), significant number of respondents (51.56%) were living near to the centre,
whereas, lower 53 percentage (14.06%) of those effective management groups were living far
from the main road (> 500 meters)(40).

The other factors affecting SWM practice is Limited and lack of continuity of community
participation. In Chalanko, Eastern part of Ethiopia indicated that, local administrative
bodies, especially kebele, use ‘Aba genda’ means representative of the ‘ketenas’ to pass
house to house to collect people. Therefore, residents in the study area participate in these
activities as a result of such measures (13).

2.3 Institutional factors

The institutional factors are the main problems that highly influence household solid waste
management in the town; or the main causes for the existence of such waste management
related problems in addition to the previous determinant factors(32).

Available facilities and equipment to cater for the wastes generated are insufficient, coupled
with inadequate uncoordinated institutional functions, poor data information for planning,
poor regulatory framework that is manifested in lack of interest of private sector investment
in service delivery(infrastructure), low Political will, low capacity to discharge duties and
wrong attitude of waste generator among other(33)

In addition to the above listed one, the followings are institutional factors that affect solid
waste management practices.

2.3.1 Inadequate service coverage

In the developing world the municipal solid waste collection services are delivered to only a
limited part of the population. The populations who do not get the service of waste collection
are low-income and live in pre-urban and slum areas (37).

In Bahirdar city the municipality planned to provide services for resident once per week in
regular by small scale enterprises and dream light Plc. But the result shows only 53(27%)
households received solid waste management services weekly. While 18(9%) households,
29(15%) households, 12(6%) households received solid waste management services within
15 days, 21 days and once in a month, respectively, and 84(43%) residents never received
solid waste collection, transportation and final disposal in to landfill services until this
interview was made(34).

2.3.2 Lack of adequate human resource

Lack of adequate and professional human resources to plan and implement SWM is one of
the serious problems facing the town municipality. The study conducted in Chelenko town,
Eastern part of Ethiopia, indicated that, there were not adequate human resources in terms of
number and qualification in municipality. For example, the wide and very complex activities
under the town municipality are being run by only 47 (44.7 %) of the required employees.
Moreover, majority of staff members in the office were assign and responsible for duties not
related with their backgrounds (13).

2.3.3 Financial/Budget

The budget assigned for solid waste related sector (greenery and beautification sector) has a
great impact on the service delivery performance of the sector. In other words, if the sector
has been given sufficient budget or has adequate sources of finance, it can fulfil the necessary
facilities that support to manage solid wastes in a proper manner(35).

Solid waste management is given low priority in developing countries; as a result, very
limited funds are allocated to the sector by government(36).

One of the studies conducted in Juba shows that, Poor government funding and financial
resources allocation in SWM sector in Juba is a major issue which needs to be addressed. To
the central government, SWM is not a priority financing operation costs is the most
challenging issue in SWM. Municipal government performance in the collection of waste
service fees is often poor(29).
 2.3.4 Working condition of waste collectors

Lack of appropriate personal protective equipment for waster collectors such as gloves, eye
and face protection, footwear, etc. are challenges which were raised by workers in different
towns of Ethiopia (13, 40).

One of the studies conducted in Chelenko town of Oromia region shows that, the working
condition of waste collectors are not appropriate and safe for their health. They work in
unhygienic working condition some of them used mouth and hand cover they bought form
their own pocket whereas the protection is not adequate and standardized (13).

2.3.5 Rule and Regulation

This variable is expected to have a positive relation with the effectiveness of solid waste
management at household level. In other words, if the households have awareness on the
existence of solid waste related laws and regulation and also the municipality apply it, at least
the rate of unauthorized site disposal would be minimized (40).

The result of study conducted in Ambo town indicated that, about 54.5% of the respondents
revealed that they did not know even whether the waste related laws and regulations are
available in the town. The rest 45.5% of the selected households stated that they knew about
the presence of laws and regulation (40).

2.4 Conceptual Framework

Based on the above review of related literature the researcher has developed the following
conceptual framework for the purpose of analysis. All in all, the main focus and scope or
boundary of this study is summarized on the following conceptual framework.
Demographic factors
Socio-cultural factors  Sex
Poor Solid
Waste  Age
 Attitude and
Management
awareness  Monthly Income
 Willingness to pay  Home ownership
Institutional Factors
 Participation on  Educational status
 Service coverage
 Residential
 Time and interval of SW duration
collection service
 Family size
 Finance/Budget
 Availability of container

 Rule and regulation

Figure1. Conceptual frameworks for Analysis of household solid waste management practice
in Amhara Regional study, Source; Developed from different literature review.

3. Materials and Methods

3.1 Study area and period: The proposed study will be conducted in the Amhara Regional
State, one of the largest and most populous regions in Ethiopia, located in the north-western
part of the country(37).

Figure 3.2: Geographic location map of the study area

3.1.1 Study Design: A cross-sectional study design will be employed to assess solid waste
management practices and associated factors among households in the Amhara Regional
State.

3.2 Source population: The source population for the proposed study will consist of all
households within the Amhara Regional State.

3.2.1 Study population: The study population for the proposed research will consist of all
households from selected kebeles within the town. The household will serve as the primary
unit of analysis for the study. A total of 1,132 households will be selected as the sample size,
determined using a scientific statistical method based on the single population proportion
formula. This sampling approach is designed to provide a representative assessment of the
current status of solid waste management practices and the associated factors influencing
these practices among households in the region. The calculated sample size ensures sufficient
statistical power to draw meaningful conclusions that can inform policy and intervention
strategies related to household-level solid waste management in Amhara Regional State.

3.2.2 Sampling procedure: A multi-stage sampling technique will be employed to select

sample households for this study. In the first stage, the town will be divided into kebeles for
stratification purposes. Kebeles will then be randomly selected from each stratum. This
approach is based on the assumption that kebeles within the same stratum exhibit similar
characteristics related to their proximity to the town centre and the availability of
infrastructure, making them homogeneous. By selecting one kebele from each stratum, the
study aims to achieve a representative sample. In the subsequent stage, the number of
households to be sampled from each selected kebele will be determined proportionally.
Finally, within each kebele, household heads will be selected using systematic random
sampling, with every Kth interval being chosen to ensure a representative sample for
assessing household solid waste management practices.

3.3 Data collection methods and tools: The study will employ a structured questionnaire,
incorporating both open-ended and closed-ended questions, to explore household solid waste
management practices and associated issues. Initially, 5% of the questionnaires will be
randomly distributed as a pre-test to identify and address any unclear or potentially
misleading items. After refining the questionnaire based on the pre-test feedback, it will be
administered to the sample population with the assistance of four data collectors. These data
collectors, selected from undergraduate students at Amhara Regional State University, will
undergo comprehensive training and be closely supervised by the researcher throughout the
data collection process to ensure accuracy and consistency.

3.3.1 Data quality assurance plan: The quality of the data for this study will be assured
through a series of rigorous steps. The research tools will be carefully designed and pretested
to ensure their effectiveness. Data collectors and supervisors will receive comprehensive
training to equip them with the necessary skills for accurate data collection. To maintain data
quality, the principal investigator will provide thorough orientation to the data collectors and
supervise the data collection process continuously. Regular checks will be conducted on a
daily basis to verify the completeness and consistency of the data. Additionally,
questionnaires initially developed in English will be translated into Amharic, the local
language of the study area, to ensure clarity and accuracy. The administration of the
questionnaires will be carried out by trained data collectors to facilitate effective
communication and data gathering.

3.3.2 Data processing and analysis plan: The collected data will be systematically coded,
edited, cleaned, and entered into Epi-Data version 3.1 for initial processing. Subsequently,
the data will be transferred to SPSS version 25 for detailed analysis. Descriptive statistics,
including frequency distribution, percentages, means, and standard deviations, will be used to
summarize the data. The principal investigator will conduct a descriptive analysis to present
the results.

To manage the large number of variables, only those with p-values less than 0.2 in the
bivariate analysis will be included in the multivariate logistic regression analysis, allowing
for the assessment of the relative effects of confounding variables. Multicollinearity among
significant independent variables will be evaluated using the variance inflation factor (VIF),
with a VIF value between 1 and 10 indicating acceptable levels of multicollinearity. In this
study, VIF values for all independent variables included in the multivariate logistic regression
were between 1 and 10, indicating that multicollinearity was not problematic.

Each independent variable will be assessed separately in the bivariate logistic regression
model to evaluate its association with solid waste management practices. Crude odds ratios
with 95% confidence intervals and significance levels set at p<0.05 will be used to determine
the associations between determinant factors and solid waste management practices.
3.3.3 Multivariable logistic regression: Data analysis for the proposed study will involve both
bivariate and multivariable logistic regression techniques. Variables with a p-value of less
than 0.20 in the bivariate analysis will be included in the multivariable logistic regression
model to control for potential confounders. Adjusted odds ratios (AOR) with 95% confidence
intervals will be calculated to determine the strength and direction of associations between
variables. The final results will be presented in a clear and organized manner using
descriptive statements, supported by graphs and tables to enhance the interpretation and
understanding of key findings.

3.4 Ethical consideration: Ethical clearance for the proposed study will be obtained from the
Ethical Review Board of Debre Markos University. Additionally, an official support letter
will be secured from the administrative body of the Amhara Regional State Municipality.
Data collection will commence only after receiving formal permission from the Amhara
Regional State Municipality. Prior to participation, the objectives of the study will be clearly
explained to all selected households, and informed consent will be sought from each
participant. Participants will be informed that their participation is voluntary and that they
have the right to withdraw from the study at any time without any consequence.

Methodology

To address the critical gaps in solid waste management (SWM) in urban centers of the
Amhara National Regional State, Ethiopia, an econometric model can be developed to
analyze the socioeconomic and environmental impacts of current waste management
practices. This model will help in understanding the relationships between solid waste
management and socioeconomic variables.

Econometric Model Framework

The Seemingly Unrelated Regression (SUR) model is an econometric technique used when
there are two or more dependent variables that are affected by the same set of independent
variables. The key features of the SUR model are: there are multiple dependent variables,
each with its own regression equation; the equations share some common independent
variables, and the error terms across equations may be correlated (Shalabh, 2018).

1. Model 1: Assessing the Socioeconomic Impacts of Poor Solid Waste Management

The primary goal is to evaluate how poor solid waste management affects key socioeconomic
outcomes, such as health costs, income levels, employment, Poverty, and living standards in
the Amhara region.

Model Specification:

A multiple linear regression (OLS) model can be used to measure the socioeconomic impacts.

Yi=β 0+ β 1 SWMi+ β 2 Incomei+ β 3 Educationi+ β 4 Employmenti + β 5 Healthi+ ϵi

Where

Yi = Socioeconomic outcome variable (e.g., health expenditure, income, employment status)

SWMi = Poor solid waste management index (dummy or continuous variable)

Health expenditure(Healthi): percentage of Household expenditure on health care related

to poor solid waste management diseases

Incomei = Household income

Educationi = Education level

Employmenti = Employment status

ϵi = Error term

Hypothesis: Poor solid waste management has significant negative socioeconomic effects.

2. Model 2: Environmental Impact Analysis of Poor Solid Waste Management

This model aims to evaluate the environmental consequences, such as pollution (water, soil,
air), and its connection to solid waste mismanagement.

Model Specification:

A panel data or cross-sectional analysis can be used to capture environmental impact.

Ei ​=α 0 ​+α 1 ​SWMi ​+ α 2 ​Pollutioni ​+ α 3 ​PopulationDensityi ​+ α 4 ​Urbanizationi ​+ui

Ei = Environmental outcome (e.g., pollution level, soil quality index or economic value of
land)
SWMi = Solid waste management condition (dummy or continuous variable)

Pollutioni = Measured pollution levels (air, water, soil)

PopulationDensityi = Population density in the region

Urbanizationi = Urbanization rate

ui = Error term

Hypothesis: Poor solid waste management significantly contributes to environmental

degradation.

3. Model 3: Exploring Strategies for Converting Waste into Energy and Organic
Fertilizer

This model helps assess the potential of converting waste into valuable resources, analyzing
the feasibility, costs, and expected benefits.

Model Specification:

the researcher will use a cost-benefit analysis (CBA) model combined with regression to
explore the factors influencing the success of waste conversion strategies.

Ri=γ 0+γ 1 WasteConversioni+γ 2Costi+ γ 3 EnergyYieldi+γ 4 FertilizerOutputi+ γ 5 GovernmentSupporti+¿

Where:

Ri = Net benefits of converting waste into energy/fertilizer (can be calculated as benefit-cost

ratio)

WasteConversioni = Type of waste conversion strategy (e.g., waste-to-energy, composting)

Costi = Cost of implementing the strategy

EnergyYieldi = Amount of energy produced

FertilizerOutputi = Amount of organic fertilizer produced

GovernmentSupporti = Government support or policy interventions (dummy variable)

vi = Error term

Hypothesis: Strategies like waste-to-energy and composting generate positive net benefits
and are economically viable.

Policy and Infrastructure Variables:

E Investment in SWM Infrastructure (X8): Amount of funding allocated to waste

management facilities and services.
E Regulatory Framework (X9): Strength of local regulations regarding waste
management practices.
E Government expenditure on SWM (GovExp): Public investment in waste management
infrastructure.
E Waste management policy enforcement (Policy): Impact of regulations and
enforcement on recycling and disposal mechanisms.

Data Collection:

the researcher will need data on solid waste management practices, socioeconomic variables
(income, employment, health), environmental quality indicators (pollution levels), and details
on the feasibility and benefits of waste conversion projects in the Amhara region.

Estimation: For each model, the researcher will use appropriate regression techniques such
as OLS or panel regression if data is available over multiple time periods.

Estimation Techniques

To estimate the parameters of the model, methods such as Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) or
Generalized Method of Moments (GMM) can be employed, depending on the nature of the
data (e.g., cross-sectional vs. panel data).

Policy Implications

Based on the findings, the researcher will provide policy recommendations for improving
waste management and supporting waste-to-resource strategies.
The results from this econometric analysis can inform local policymakers about, the cost-
effectiveness of different waste management strategies; optimal pricing mechanisms for
waste collection services, and the potential economic benefits of increasing community
participation in waste management programs.

4. Work Plan

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20. Nachalida Yukalang BCaKR. Solid Waste Management Solutions for a Rapidly Urbanizing Area
in Thailand: Recommendations Based on Stakeholder Inpu. International Journal of Environmental
Research and Public Health 2018.
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28. Kamar AJ. Household participation in domestic waste disposal and recycling in the Tshwane
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29. Assessment of Municipal Solid Waste Management Practices in Juba City, South Sudan,
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