Economic analysis of solid waste management options in Morogoro Municipality, Tanzania

A DISSERTATION SUBMITTED IN PARTIAL FULFILMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE AWARD OF DEGREE OF MASTER OF SCIENCE IN ENVIRONMENTAL AND NATURAL RESOURCE ECONOMICS OF SOKOINE UNIVERSITY OF AGRICULTURE.MOROGORO, TANZANIA

Economic analysis of solid waste (SW) management options in Morogoro municipality was conducted to assess efficiency of solid waste management options in Morogoro Municipality. The study set out three specific objectives: to analyze the types and sources of MSW produced in Morogoro municipality, to assess possible SW management options in Morogoro municipality and to conduct Cost benefit analysis of solid waste management options in Morogoro Municipality. Using structured questionnaires, data were collected from households as waste producers, key informants interviews and focus group discussion were used to gather information from waste collectors and processors. Analysis was done by descriptive statistic, Microsoft excel and Cost benefit analysis. The study revealed that a major type of SW generated is organic/food waste constituting about 60.2%, their main sources being residential and commercial. Available management options in the municipality are recycling, composting, dumping and locally dug pits. The study applied CBA to determine an option which is economically efficient, and the results suggested that both recycling and composting are profitable since they had positive NPV’s but recycling outlined to be most economically efficient since it had a higher positive NPV compared to composting. Sensitivity analysis revealed that, for risk management, it is profitable to undertake both management options at lower discount rates than higher discount rates. Based on the findings, the study recommended that waste sorting at source and management options should be extended to the household level. Likewise, government should encourage investments in composting and recycling, since they are viable and efficient SWM options.