Assessment of the Social, Economic and Environmental Aspects of Solid Waste Management in Selected Open Dumpsites in Kenya

The most prevalent way of disposing solid waste in most of the developing countries is open dumping which is the easiest and considered to be the cheapest method of removing waste from the immediate environment. The increasing awareness on public health and environment quality concerns are expected to provide the impetus that is needed to develop and implement a sustainable approach to manage solids. An inventory of these locations, the types of waste handled and management processes for waste products will aid in the assessment of the polluting capability of such sites. This paper discusses research experiences gathered during a study that was undertaken in three Kenya dumpsites to explore the potential for utilising the waste for energy generation in a low-income economy and at the same time, address worsening disposal challenges.