Sustainable Waste Management in Kombolcha

  • Mesfin Feleke, Dr. Alemayehu Balcha, Gezahegh Fele
  • Kommentare

Sustainable urban waste management: A community-based approach to involve all town inhabitants of Kombolcha town for a cleaner future

The city of Kombolcha in Ethiopia is facing a critical urban waste challenge due to several factors. Rapid population growth and the presence of budget limitations are the major among the list. As a town having more than 345 factory and small industries, there is a huge influx of young unemployed citizens to the town in search for job. In addition to the normal population growth this movement of youngsters produce uncontrolled rise in the number of inhabitants in the town. One of the major challenges faced as a result is the production of huge amount of waste in the town resulting in uncontrolled consequences. The town government is working at its maximum capacity to change such unbelievable chaos. Even if sanitation is the top most list in town’s agenda, the ever uncontrolled rise in the number of inhabitants and budget limitation, the waste management activity runs out of the control of the town’s management.

In recent assessment we realized that there is 144 m3/day production of waste in the town. The 11.02% allocated budget from the required budget for waste management by the town’s administration resulted in the accumulation of waste in every corner of the town. Infection related to uncontrolled waste as a consequence is becoming another challenge to the town’s inhabitants besides food insecurity. This challenge is affecting most importantly the most vulnerable member of the town’s community, children and women. Respiratory and other waste contamination related health problems are headaches for the town’s community as a result.

Because of the Administrivia’s recognized capacity of not handling this critical problem we designed this project to solve the problem from community participation perspective by using the moto “If every inhabitant handles his own waste our town will be clean”. The project aims to involve the entire population of Komblacha in the implementation of efficient waste management. This includes identifying waste sources, training community representatives, engaging unemployed youth and empowering women as key actors in waste management processes.

Kommentare

  • Merawi Terfasa

    01.09.2023

    Personally I feel this is one of humanity centered idea ever I saw in my life. Go forward friends I will do whatever I can to support this! GOD bless you all!

  • Bezabih Yimer

    01.09.2023

    This idea is great, I support without doubt.

  • Gezahegn Mitiku

    01.09.2023

    This a wonderful idea I really support with emphasis!

  • Alemayehu Tadesse Balcha

    01.09.2023

    Wow! it is a wonderful idea worth considering. I recently met this team and really appreciated their strong and unbelievable vibe and commitment to implement this project. They have deep understanding of this challenge in the Town. Above all this is the major issue in this world to be prioritized in any capacity. Our living place should be clean and healthy, in light of this I can't wait to strongly support this excellent idea. Bravo Guys!

  • Eyerusalem Mesfin

    31.08.2023

    I appreciate this project and am convinced that this project must win.

  • Amha Ermias

    31.08.2023

    Dear all,

    This is a timely & critical issue to be studied. Working in the area & on the them of this research, the problem of waste management is deep rooted & diversified seeking multi stakeholders involvement. Addressing such problem starts with empirical analysis of the issue followed by stakeholders' mobilization for common goal.

    I I commend Mesfin et al will move this critical issue one step forward & looking forward the out put of this project.

    All the best

  • Debebe Muleta

    30.08.2023

    I have been working in similar area here in my country for more than 25 years . As project manager in similar projects, urban waste management should be approached in a way this excellent team’s proposal. I have seen some successful similar projects in the course of my work and very much convinced in the idea particularly their intention to use participation of inhabitants as a whole. Since I am travelling in several areas for water project works urban waste is the major issue placed in the top problem list of all towns, which Kombolcha is the one Definitely this project’s success will be another noble experience for me that I, as a project manager in water supply and sanitation here in Ethiopia will take it.
    Therefore, it is with great happiness that I definitely without doubt vote for such wonderful idea. For better success and joint partnership we started communication with the team.

  • Senait Bantideru

    30.08.2023

    Dear project participants, I sincerely appreciate the work you are doing in Ethiopia, especially in Kombolcha city.
    It is a wonderful and encouraging work.
    I find them helpful in modernizing the way of life in the city.

  • Yetmwork sewareg

    30.08.2023

    I have no words to express my excitement to see such fundamentally critical project for my Town Kombolcha. I have been in the Town for the past 15 years and when I read the idea of the project, I was very much surprised how they vividly articulated and approached the problem. Moreover, my greatest appreciation in this project  is their idea of involving the community for the solution.
    Therefore it is with absolute pleasure and happiness that I strongly support this project. If possible I just want communicate the team so that I want to contribute my part and for further partnership.

  • Tesfaye

    27.08.2023

    Kombolecha is one of the industrial corridors in Ethiopia, generating huge waste that affects the people and the environment. Initiatives that address waste issues are vital for the current and future generation.

  • Berhanu Gizaw

    17.08.2023

    This is a vital theme to the community of concern as well to the environment as the problem is real and visible. I do hope that Mesfin et al and all concerned bodies will react in synergy and proceed in a manner that will be exemplary to other communities elsewhere in the country and beyond.

  • Tesfaye Hailu

    14.08.2023

    I personally appreciate the team for taking an initiative to work on one of the most urgent issue to pave the way for sustainable future. Addressing the urgent issue of improper waste management in towns across Ethiopia is crucial for environmental sustainability and public health. The lack of proper waste management techniques has been observed throughout the country, demanding immediate action. This presentation highlights the significance of sustainable waste management practices and community engagement as key solutions to tackle this pressing problem effectively. By adopting a comprehensive approach that involves community participation, capacity building, infrastructure development, waste segregation, composting, public awareness campaigns, monitoring, enforcement, and collaborations, long-lasting solutions can be achieved. go ahead and make it happen.

  • Ayele Atlaw

    14.08.2023

    The cause of most diseases in Ethiopia is due to poor waste management specially in areas. Kombolcha is an industrial and highly populated city but no proper waste management.I will support this project with my expertise when ever needed.

  • Tuzi Hone

    13.08.2023

    I appreciate the team's effort to initiate such defining problem of the town Kmbolcha. I know the place very well as I am repeatedly travelling to the area. Anybody whom has a chance to visit will definitely has the same feeling as of me. Waste management literally fails in the town and is becoming the major problem. It is so difficult to walk across even the major centers of the town. I support with greater emphasis for such problems to be considered which will have a direct influence on women and children and finally with a great platform in involving the community.

  • Worku Bacha

    13.08.2023

    Dear all project participants, I sincerely appreciate the work you will be doing in Ethiopia, particularly in the city of Kombolcha. As we all know, in developing nations, there is a lack of awareness about how to manage waste disposal in the community, so the suggested idea significantly raises our community's awareness of this issue and protects our environments from pollution.

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