Plastic Waste and Its Management in Urban Uganda: A Case Study of Makindye Division, Kampala Capital City
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Date
2024
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Abstract
This study examined plastic waste and its management in urban Uganda, using a case of Makindye Division, Kampala City. The objectives of the study were: (i) To identify the types of plastic waste produced in Makindye Division, (ii) To examine the environmental effects of plastic waste in Makindye Division, (iii) To analyze how plastic waste is managed in Makindye Division, and (iv) To suggest better methods of managing plastic waste in Makindye Division. The study employed a case study design with Makindye division being the case study of an urban local government with challenges of managing plastic wastes. The study also employed mixed methods, utilizing both quantitative and qualitative data collection techniques - a survey and Key Informant Interviews (KIIs). The survey covered 158 households and businesses from three parishes that is Katwe 1, Wabigalo, and Bukasa, while the key informants were 8 including local leaders, a civil society organisation and division technical officers. The major findings indicate that in Makindye division, there’s widespread usage of plastic items and polythene products such as plastic buckets, bins, barrels, storage containers, plastic bottles and plastic shoes. Most of the plastic items and polythene materials used are not made or manufactured in homes or anywhere in Makindye division. On why they cherish using plastic and polythene products, 40% of the responses were for plastics being cheap; 22% the relative ease with which plastics and polythene can be obtained; and 11% of mentioned plastics materials’ being durable. 92% of the respondents were aware that littered plastics and polythene materials pollute the soil are non-biodegradable and block drainage systems leading to flooding. 68% of the respondents stated that they manage plastics through re-purposing plastic bags (e.g., as trash liners or pet waste bags); using reusable bags or polythenes or containers when shopping; having collection points; recycling the plastics/polythene; and that there is company that buys plastic from the community.
On disposal of plastic waste, 46.3% of the responses were for handing over waste to collectors, while others pile the waste in household-based bins; burn it or recycle it. Most of the respondents mentioned waste reduction as the best method that for sustainably addressing the problem of plastic waste and the study recommends restricting the use of plastics, separating plastics from other waste, encouraging people to adopt alternative packaging materials such as paper bags and cloth bags and strictly enforcing plastic waste policies and regulations which has succeeded in countries like Rwanda.