Reverse logistics system and recycling potential at a landfill: A case study from Kampala City

Area of Science:

• Environmental Science
• Supply Chain Management
• Urban Planning

Background:

• Rapid population growth and urbanization in Sub-Saharan Africa strain waste collection services.
• Landfilling is the primary waste disposal method, leading to significant environmental pressure.
• Opportunities for waste reduction, reuse, and recycling are underutilized.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide an overview of reverse logistics at Kiteezi landfill, Kampala's sole official waste disposal site.
• To analyze the collection, reprocessing, redistribution, and market dynamics of products within a reversed supply chain.
• To identify challenges and propose strategies for efficient reverse logistics development in urban African contexts.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of waste streams at Kiteezi landfill.
• Mapping the reverse supply chain network for reusable and recyclable materials.
• Assessment of factors limiting the utilization of waste materials.

Main Results:

• Only 14% of waste at Kiteezi landfill enters the reverse logistics chain.
• A substantial 63% of potentially recyclable materials are disposed of instead.
• Key barriers include low processing capacity, lack of market value, limited knowledge, and insufficient value addition.

Conclusions:

• Significant potential exists to improve waste management through enhanced reverse logistics in Kampala.
• Strategies focusing on increasing processing power, market development, and value addition are crucial.
• The findings offer insights for similar urban areas facing comparable waste management challenges.