The economic implications of a land fill to the surrounding communities; a case study of Kiteezi landfill, Wakiso district.

Abstract

The study was carried out to find out the economic implications. of a landfill to the surrounding communities. A case of Kiteezi landfill, Wakiso district Uganda. To enable data collection, well designed questionnaires were presented for respondents to fill and give their opinions towards the study after which data was checked, edited and coded. The main motive behind the carrying out of this study was to explore and unwrap the economic value of Solid Waste (SW) and landfills in general. It is common belief especially in developing countries that waste is something no longer useful and always codenamed trash. Little do they know that even some of the imparted assets they treasure so much in their homes are trash to the developed countries but what makes them expensive and useful is simply because they were not thrown away into landfills! With the literature, findings and results presented in the various next chapters, it was proved that SW and landfills in general are viable sources of income and therefore can steer an area or Community to economic development coupled with sustainable use of resources through reducing, re-using and recycling of waste. Similarly, the value of property in an area around a landfill can highly be influenced both positively and negatively depending on the individual’s perceptions and social or economic status. The potential of Kiteezi landfill however has not yet been. fully utilised as the vast majority of the salvagers have no bank accounts with virtually no exposure to education, the job is delicate requiring sophistication. to avoid getting hurt and the waste disposed is messy. Also the community has not yet fully exploited the potential spin offs of investing in Solid Waste Management (SWM). Armed with help from Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA.) any other authority in terms of financial management, health and safety guidelines the scavenging populations can benefit more from their business hence developing the communities around them. This can be done through sensitization about long term plans of sustainable income, investing in resource recovery through reusing, recycling and reduction and also empowering entrepreneurial groups within the salvaging populations.