Urban waste management : the potential of household refuse for use in food and fuel production in Nairobi

Urban waste management poses problems in all cities of the world, but it also providesopportunities for innovative resource use. The Thesis begins by defining the wastemanagement problem of Nairobi in context and then analytically reviews theinternational status of waste management, contrasting the circumstances in developedeconomies with those in Tropical Africa. An investigation of household refuse inNairobi, exploring its embodied energy and its value for composting follows as thefocus of the Thesis. Typical households were surveyed in relation to their wastemanagement behaviour and agricultural activities. An attempt was made to analyse thephysical and chemical composition of household refuse as well as its energy value. Inaddition to household surveys, a senior local government official and waste disposalcrews were interviewed in order to ascertain current policies and managementpractices in the handling of waste. Particular attention was paid to the Eastlands areaof the City. Ways in which refuse is incorporated into the food and energy cycles wereidentified. Among the important factors discerned are the role of family structure andthe economic position of households. The validity of the research is discussed andrecommendations are made for the future of waste management in relation to energyand food production in Nairobi. The findings of the research should have wideapplication in other African countries