Understanding the impacts of waste disposal site closure on the livelihood of local communities in africa : a case study of the kiteezi landfill in Kampala, Uganda

Socioeconomic aspects have to be adequately included in developing closure plans of waste disposal sites to reduce the negative impacts of the closure on local communities. In this study, we evaluated the Kiteezi landfill for its role in generating livelihoods for the local community and assessed the potential socioeconomic effects due to its closure. Data were collected through interviews and focus group discussions with the informal stakeholders of the landfill’s. The results indicate that the landfill is an important income source to large numbers of informal waste workers (IWWs): 13,600 UGX (3.7 USD) per day (range of 1500–125,000 UGX). Seventy-seven, 92, 92 and 65 % of the waste pickers, sorters, cleaners, and middle-persons respectively obtain their livelihoods solely from the landfill. The IWWs are the primary stakeholders and are projected to lose all their income upon landfill closure, yet they are a big part of the local community. They comprise 90% of the customers of the supporting businesses, the small and medium enterprises (SMEs) within 2 km of the landfill. Landfill closure is projected to cause short-term economic impacts on these SMEs, so they need to be informed in advance to make alternative plans. The IWWs are vulnerable and need to be adequately supported when landfills are closed. However, currently, there is no protection for them through legislation in African countries. Conversely, nearby households and farms stand to benefit from its closure since it has severely impacted the local area liveability, land value and overall quality of life.