Author(s)

Joseph Sata

Affiliation(s)

Twinpalm Leadership University, Lusaka, Zambia.

Corresponding Author

Joseph Sata

ABSTRACT

Solid waste management is an essential part of sustainable urban development, especially in cities experiencing rapid urbanization and population growth, such as Lusaka, Zambia. Informal settlements, often referred to as slums, are home to a significant portion of Lusaka’s population and are characterized by unplanned development, high population density, and inadequate infrastructure. These areas face serious challenges in solid waste management, including a lack of formal waste collection services, inadequate waste disposal facilities, and limited public awareness of good waste management practices. As a result, inappropriate waste disposal methods, such as open dumping, burning, and littering in public spaces, are common, contributing to widespread environmental degradation, public health risks, and socioeconomic inequalities.

This study aims to critically analyze the status of solid waste management in Lusaka slums, focusing on identifying key challenges, evaluating existing waste management practices, and proposing feasible solutions for sustainable development. Using a mixed-method research methodology, the study integrates qualitative data from interviews and focus group discussions with residents, community leaders, and municipal officials, as well as quantitative data on waste generation patterns, collection coverage, and the effectiveness of current waste management systems. The findings reveal a complex interplay of factors that hinder effective waste management in these enterprises. These include weak governance structures, limited municipal funding, inadequate waste collection infrastructure, and poor road networks that make many areas inaccessible to formal waste collection services.

The study also identifies critical socio-economic factors, such as high levels of poverty and unemployment, that limit residents’ ability to pay for waste collection services, thereby exacerbating reliance on informal methods and unsustainable waste disposal. The health and environmental consequences of poor waste management are evident, with increased cases of vector-borne diseases such as malaria and cholera, contamination of water sources, and air pollution from waste burning. Furthermore, the accumulation of waste in public spaces and drainage systems leads to flooding during the rainy season, further exacerbating the vulnerability of these communities.

Despite these challenges, the study highlights several opportunities to improve waste management in Lusaka’s slums. Community-based approaches, such as the formation of waste management committees and the employment of local residents to collect and recycle waste, offer a cost-effective and participatory solution. The potential for public-private partnerships is also significant, with private waste management companies playing a central role in complementing municipal efforts.

Technological solutions, including low-cost waste processing technologies such as composting and small-scale recycling, can address the unique needs of these slums while generating economic opportunities. Furthermore, the study highlights the importance of policy reforms to strengthen governance and accountability in waste management. Municipal authorities should prioritize informal settlements in their urban planning strategies and allocate adequate resources for waste collection and disposal. Public awareness campaigns that focus on waste segregation, recycling, and the health risks associated with improper waste disposal are essential to drive behavioral change at the community level.

This research concludes that addressing the challenges of solid waste management in Lusaka slums requires a comprehensive and multi-stakeholder approach. Collaborative efforts involving municipal authorities, community members, private businesses, and non-governmental organizations are essential to develop a comprehensive, efficient, and sustainable waste management system. By integrating policy reforms, community participation, and technological innovation, Lusaka can transform its approach to solid waste management, thereby improving the health, environment, and quality of life of residents in the most vulnerable areas. This study not only sheds light on the specific context of Lusaka, but also contributes to the broader debate on urban waste management in developing cities, providing lessons and strategies that can be adapted to similar contexts around the world.

KEYWORDS

Solid Waste Management(SWM); Informal settlements; Environmental sustainability; Community participation; Urban governance

CITE THIS PAPER

Joseph Sata. Critical analysis of solid waste management in informal settlements: a case study of lusaka's shanty compounds. World Journal of Management Science. 2025, 3(1): 1-9. DOI: https://doi.org/10.61784/wms3051.

REFERENCES

[1] Wilson DC, Velis C, Cheeseman C. The role of informal sector recycling in waste management in developing countries. Habitat International, 2006, 30(4): 797-808. 

[2] Medina M. The informal recycling sector in developing countries: organizing waste pickers to strengthen their influence. Nairobi: ONE Habitat, 2008.

[3] Pires A, Martinho G, Chang N. Solid waste management in European countries: A review of systems analysis techniques. Journal of Environmental Management, 2011, 92(4): 1033-1050.

[4] Pretty J, Ward H. Social Capital and the Environment. World Development, 2001, 29(2): 209-227.

[5] Bullard RD. Dumping in Dixie: Race, Class, and Environmental Quality. 3rd ed. Boulder, CO: Westview Press, 2000.

[6] Hoornweg D, Bhada-Tata P. What a waste: A global study on solid waste management. Washington, DC: World Bank, 2012.

[7] Simatele DM, Dlamini S, Kubanza NS From global goals to local action: governance and waste management in sub-Saharan Africa. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 2017, 14 (11): 1366.

[8] Zimring CA, Rathje W. Encyclopedia of Consumption and Waste: The Social Science of Waste. Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE Publications, 2012.