At the Junction: Potential Pathways for the Waste Management Sysrem of Kasese

Type Report
Title At the Junction: Potential Pathways for the Waste Management Sysrem of Kasese
Author(s)
Publication (Day/Month/Year) 2013
URL http://www.access2innovation.com/download/kasese_waste_report_jan13.pdf
Abstract
This report analyses the municipal solid waste management system in Kasese, Uganda. This study originated when the network organisation access2innovation proposed the concept of waste-toenergy as a solution for the Kasese WMS and as a potential business case for Danish companies. Crucial informational gaps with regard to the characteristics of the WMS remained unfilled. The Integrated Sustainable Waste Management concept provided the theoretical framework and methodological foundation to carry out the research. The first part of the study involved a detailed mapping of both the elements of the waste system and the stakeholders. In understanding its structure and functioning, particular attention was paid to the socio-technical dynamics that shape Kasese’s WMS, creating path dependencies and situations of lock-in. This analysis led to the identification of a set of issues that are key to improving the WMS. As a second step, it was investigated how key issues could be addressed in three potential future pathways for Kasese’s WMS: an extension of the waste system with a centralized biogas plant, one where an incineration facility is added, and a baseline pathway in which the possibilities for improving the WMS without the introduction of additional technologies. In conclusion, the WMS in Kasese is characterised by the generation of a dominant organic waste fraction, which is mainly informally managed while several sources of lock-in stabilises this system. Improvements to the WMS could be achieved within all three potential pathways, provided that the non-technical aspects surrounding the system are also put in place to complement the chosen technology.

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