RESEARCH PROPOSAL

PLASTIC COLLECTOR SYSTEM-PCS

SECTION I
1. INTRODUCTION
The Plastic collector system is that system that has been developed and designed to get rid of plastic
substances and related materials. In a way that, the system operates just like dust colleting machine that
helps to purify the air quality but specifically dealing with the new advancement of the system, it collects
plastic substances and materials like broken & poorly disposed plastics and polythene bags. It can be
used in industrial commercial sites and for home based production within the environment we are living
in.
The system is designed based on a few principles of pressure and air compression in simple physics, that
this enables it attract, filter and remove plastic substances only. The plastics that can be recycled are first
sorted then the others that may be damaged are crushed, shredded and melted into pellets forms, in other
words, they are made into other useful products again like cups, dishes, plates, jugs and many others.
And therefore, the inventory is a system tool to identify plastic pollution, prevention and cleanup
technologies. The system technology alone cannot solves all the plastic pollution issues that is to say,
there could be and many other ways of getting rid of plastics in our environment.
The research proposal paper is structured as follows; it has got three sections, where in section I, the
introductory part, background of the study, statement of the problem, aim & objectives, the research
scope and the significance of the research are discussed. Section II, talking about the literature review of
the study research and finally section III, explores the methods used to attain the research objectives,
references and the appendix.
2. BACKGROUND
Over the last few decades there has been a steady increase in the use of plastic products resulting in a
substantial rise in plastic waste ,Technologies, plastic and pollution based systems for time have been
invented and used for example the dust collecting system like the PVC have been and still being used to
curb pollution. This system will also involve stocking of bins like a kilometer from the other for proper
disposal and collection of disposable and single usage plastic materials that can be recycled.
It is known that discarded plastics pose a threat to human health and environment due to its non-
biodegradable nature, littering of plastics causes irreversible damage to the environment; plastic wastes
hinder the natural aeration process of the surface water bodies, choke municipal sewer lines and storm
water drains and clog the bar-screens of sewage treatment plants. They interfere with various agricultural
operations, prevent natural recharge of underground water and contribute to visual pollution. Consuming
food wrapped in colored plastic has adverse effects on health. Municipalities routinely receive reports of
death of cows and other animals from ingesting plastic bags.
Plastics are amazing and since its inception, plastic enabled countless advances in our industry and way
of the life in that they are created to be light, durable, chemically resistant, non-reactive to outside
influences, and easy to manufacture. Plastic was a perfect building material for countless articles that are
used not only by ordinary users in their daily affairs but also in aeronautics, construction industry,

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electronics, packaging, transportation, energy conservation, scientific components, fashion & design
expo. And others.
But there is a threat with throwaway plastics (disposable plastics, single-use products, kick-off items
etc.). As per National Environment Management Authority, Uganda generates 16000 tons per day out of
which only 9000 tons per day being collected and the remaining pollutes the soil, clogs drains, pollutes
waters and kills the animals with its indigestive nature.
The adoption of a more hygienic mode of packaging food, beverages, sachet water and other products
brought plastic packaging to replace the existing cultural packaging methods (leaf wrappers, brown paper
and metal cup uses) in cities and towns ( World Bank, 2012;). This widespread replacement of the modes
of packaging with plastics is an indication of the uniqueness of plastic properties such as versatility,
inertness and flexibility, especially in the application areas of packaging. As a result of their unique
properties, plastics have become the most favored packaging materials in commerce with firms making
windfall profits and transferring the environmental cost associated with cleaning plastic waste on the
general public (Schweizer & Annoh, 1996).
Today Uganda hosts a total of 1,293,582 refugees and asylum seekers as of 30th June 2019 (Uganda
refugee response report 2019), primarily from South Sudan and DR Congo. The many refugees live in
large settlements distributed in Uganda, and this creates a great pressure on the country, which is already
struggling with poverty and climate change. In western Uganda, close to the border with DR Congo, lies
the large settlement of Kyangwali. There are currently more than 90,000 refugees living there and the
settlement faces major challenges with both living conditions for residents and negative consequences for
the environment. (Office of the Auditor General, 2010)
It is estimated that up to one ton of plastic waste is generated in the Kyangwali settlement on a weekly
basis (calculated using figures based on experience from a Refugee Youth Recycle Plastic Waste project
in refugee settlements in West Nile sub-region). Much of this waste comes from soda and water bottles,
packing bags, food raps, utensils, among others. The vast majority of the plastic waste is not collected,
and it therefore lay scattered around on the ground, being blown around by the wind. This leads to waste
polluting households, agriculture, composting systems and open water ways, reducing yields and causing
increased health related risks for both people and domestic animals. The limited amounts of the plastic
waste, which are collected, are discharged by burning it on open fires, leading to local hazardous smoke
pollution risks.
The plastic situation described above is not unique for either the Kyangwali settlement or Uganda in
general and in many areas around the world this causes major challenges and therefore, uncontrolled use
and insensitive way of disposing plastic is one of the major causes of environment degradation in the
world today and Uganda as well. It is estimated that at least 600 tons of plastics are consumed every day
in Uganda and the vast majority of it is not collected and recycled. It is believed that more than half of it
is used and disposed-off in and around Kampala. At least 51% of plastic garbage in the city is left
uncollected. Plastic waste is the major cause of clogging sewage systems in the city and most urban
centers.
In the year 1972, on average a person used up to two kilograms of plastic, but today a person uses up to
43kg of plastic annually. Since the 1950s, at least 8.3 billion tons of plastic have been produced

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worldwide. According to the United Nations, ingestion of plastic kills an estimated one million marine
birds and 100,000 marine animals each year. In the world’s beaches and shorelines 73% of waste are
plastic materials. Plastics are artificially made of toxic chemicals and when they are badly disposed of
groundwater and reservoirs are susceptible to leaking environmental toxins. [UN Report on
Environmental Management, 2010]
In most countries, only 9% of plastic is recycled. In Uganda generally less than 5% of plastic is recycled.
Plastic can take over 450 years to decompose completely. They are left in our rural areas, gardens and
wetlands uncollected causing serious threat to agriculture, water and soil pollution. Plastic pollution is the
major cause of water contamination in lakes causing serious threat to marine life. A school of thought
believes that plastic pollution kills more people than malaria and HIV/AIDS combined. A study suggests
that about 14% of children between the ages of eight and 14 living in Kampala have bronchial asthma.
[World Bank Report, 2012]
When plastic is burned, they emit toxic chemicals causing respiratory problems. Uganda does not have
any serious environment laws enacted by KCCA & NEMA authorities on burning plastics and the
existing laws are never enforced. After few decades, it will cost millions of dollars to clean up the
polluted land, water and air, not forgetting the health problems they could have caused in those years.
According to Eco-watch, between 500 billion and one trillion plastic bags are used worldwide annually.
A British environment report mentions that about one million plastic bottles are bought around the world
every minute, and this number is set to increase by another 20% by 2021 if laws are not made and
enforced. The same report says that more than 480 billion plastic drinking bottles were purchased in 2016
across the world — up from 300 billion a decade ago. [The Daily Monitor, 2020]
Plastic is one of the most durable modern materials utilized for numerous applications
including construction activities (Plastics-the Facts, 2015). Increased usage of plastic in food packaging
is also one of the modern sources of plastic usage and therefore, the system tends to improve on the
proper ways of plastic waste management.
3. STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM
Exploring through the general problem of pollution, poor plastic waste management has caused a lot of
environmental issues like soil degradation and exhaustion in that disposed materials of plastics prevent
percolation of water into the soil, substances like polythene bags when thrown and lands on the ground,
these items prevent water from reaching the soil. This disorganizes the soil structure and soil fertility.
Plastics are made up of synthetic organic polymers which are widely used in different applications
ranging from water bottles, clothing, food packaging, medical supplies, electronic goods, construction
materials, etc. In the last six decades, plastics became an indispensable and versatile product with a wide
range of properties, chemical composition and applications.
Although, plastic was initially assumed to be harmless and inert, however, many years of plastic disposal
into the environment has led to diverse associated problems. Environmental pollution by plastic wastes is
now recognized widely to be a major environmental burden especially in the aquatic environment where
there is prolong bio-physical breakdown of plastics detrimental negative effects on wildlife and limited
plastic removal options.

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Since 1950 to 2018, about 6.3 billion tons of plastics have been produced worldwide, 9% and 12% of
which have been recycled and incinerated, respectively. Human population increase and consistent
demand for plastics and plastic products are responsible for continuous increase in the production of
plastics, generation of plastic waste and its accompanied environmental pollution. Varieties of plastics
used in the production of many consumable products including medical devices, food packaging and
water bottles contain toxic chemicals like phthalates, heavy metals, bisphenol A. brominated flame
retardants, nonylphenol, polychlorinated biphenylethers, dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene, phenanthrene
etc. [World Health Organization Report, 2010]
An estimated 8 million tons of plastic is yearly released into the ocean, leading to degradation of marine
habitat which eventually affects aquatic organisms. Long term usage and exposure of plastics and plastic
products to high temperature can lead to leaching of toxic chemical constituents into food, drinks and
water. Indiscriminate disposal of plastics on land and open air burning can lead to the release of toxic
chemicals into the air causing public health hazards. This research proposal also presents
recommendations for global prevention and control of plastic wastes.
4. AIM & OBJECTIVES
The main aim of this research proposal is to develop, improve and or introduce a solution in the existing
collection and recycling systems for plastic wastes from household and industries, by which plastic waste
is recycled and the material used to produce new products, based on renewable energy technology,
combined in a mobile or movable unit.
On the other hand, the following are objectives for the research proposal;
o To include solutions which processes and recycles the collected plastic and
o To enable manufacturing of new locally commercially viable products or commodities (e.g.
chicken wire, baskets, building materials, etc.),
o To add value and opportunities in the local community.
o To produce different types of products, based on local needs and design processes, as well as
include a business model for establishment, and operational aspects.
o To keep the environment tidy and suitable for human settlement
o To pave way and provide conditions for more efficient collection and recycling of plastic wastes
o To improve and expand the existing collections and recycling system
o To suggest future solutions to increase the recycling rate of plastic wastes

5. RESEARCH SCOPE
This will entirely cover the system and the geographical or data scope for the research proposal in that, it
will explore the objectives and define the aim on how the proposal can successfully be achieved,
established and implemented.
5.1 System scope
Following the system scope, this study shall develop and implement a system that offers guidelines that
will contain information about relevant aspects to consider in order to improve and expand the existing
collection and recycling systems. The project will also suggest future solutions to increase the recycling

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rate of plastic waste from households and other industrial deposit sites. For example, Nice House of
Plastics, Coca cola bottling company, Mukwano industries and many others around Namanve industrial
park. These industries dump their wastes in water channels mainly of which containing chemicals and
plastic wastes. [Allan J.Komakech et al, (2014) 64:3, 340-348]
Sources of plastic waste can be mainly classified as municipal and industrial wastes. Plastic substances
represent a considerable part of municipal wastes, while huge amounts of plastic waste arise as a bi-
product or faulty product in industry and agriculture. Major source of plastics waste is scrap from poorly
congested suburbs within urban settlements like in Kampala ‘Ghettos’ and Segregated Plastics by
supporters of events with in urban centers and fun revealers, residents, apartments, hotels, schools, parks,
shops, university, shopping malls etc. and it is estimated that about 3-4 tons per day would be collected.
Of the total plastic waste, over 78% of this total corresponds to thermoplastics and the remaining to
thermosets. [Tukahirwa, J. T., A. P. J. Mol & P. Oosterveer, (2010) 15(1), 1–14.]
Plastic products may include;
a) Domestic wastes (food containers, packaging foam, disposable cups, plates, cutlery, CD and
cassette boxes. fridge liners, vending cups, electronic equipment cases, drainage pipe, carbonated
drinks bottles, plumbing pipes and guttering, flooring. cushioning foams, thermal insulation
foams, surface coatings, etc.)
b) Municipal wastes (mulch films, feed bags, fertilizer bags, and in temporary tarpaulin-like uses
such as covers for hay, silage, etc.)
c) Wires and Cables
d) Automobile wrecking: The oil spills collected plastics waste is mixed one with major
components of polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene
terephthalate etc.
e) Industrial plastic wastes, also-called primary waste are those arising from the large plastics
manufacturing, processing and packaging industries. The industrial plastic wastes mainly
constitute plastics from, construction & demolition companies (e.g. polyvinyl chloride pipes and
fittings, tiles and sheets). Electrical & electronic industries (e.g. switch boxes, cable sheaths,
cassette boxes, TV screens, etc.). The automotive industries spare-parts for cars (such as fan
blades, seat coverings, battery containers and front grills).
Most of the industrial plastic wastes have relatively good physical characteristics i.e. they are sufficiently
clean and free of contamination and are available in fairly large quantities. (Banadda et al., 2009, KCCA,
2012).
Disposable plastics also may include; coffee cups, soft drink bottles, toiletry containers, i.e. shampoo,
shower gel, etc. thread protectors for oil drilling tubes, carrier bags, bread bags, car bumpers, chemical
drums & bags, shrink wrap, cling film, food packaging, cooking oil containers, yoghurt pots, milk bottles

As per the new Plastic Waste Management Rules (2016) under the Public Health Act (Cap 281), all the
public, vendors, brand owners, manufacturing units, controlling authority, urban & rural local bodies,
judiciary etc. have role in it. Community participation in waste management is the key to a sustainable

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and integrated project. Therefore, the applicant organization shall participate in all the awareness
programs in connection with segregation of waste.
5.2 Geographical scope
Following the development, improvement and finding possible solutions in the existing collection and
recycling systems for plastic wastes from household and industries. The geographical or data scope
explains on how the system will exhibit and exploit all its resources in a way that, there are categories of
plastic wastes, for its proper to group them in order to easily locate, collect and properly dispose them
off.
Therefore, the system will consider plastic packaging waste, bulky waste and small particles of plastic
waste other than packaging from households and commercial sites, industries and institutions and others.
Similarly, there are also other wastes materials like waste generated from canteens, toilets & bathroom,
human waste from their bodies and others. So we have bulky wastes, municipal wastes, household and
small disposed particles of plastic wastes.
The meaning of bulky plastic wastes are large items of plastic waste that do not fit into bins and bags and
they therefore need different handling equipment and methods like pits. Examples are plastic garden
furniture and buckets. Small plastic waste other than packaging are plastic items that fit into the same
collection system as plastic packaging waste. Some plastic wastes are classified as hazardous wastes, for
example, WEEE (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment) waste from end-of-life vehicles, leisure
boats and plastic waste from the agricultural sector. [Idris, A., B. Inanc, and M.N. Hassan. (2004). 6
(2):104–10.]
Around 70 percent of the plastic waste collected from households origins from packaging, and it is
mainly constituted by LDPE (Low-Density Polyethylene), HDPE (High-Density Polyethylene), PP
(Polypropylene), PET (Polyethylene terephthalate) and PS (Polystyrene) and EPS (Expanded Polystyrene
(DEPA, 2011).
[http://www.cpcb.nic.in/wast/plasticwast/Consolidate_Guidelines_for_disposal_of_PW.pdf]
Others include; drinking bottles of various company products like coke. Containers used for shampoo and
conditioner. Containers used for washing and cleansing agents. Plastic bins, tubs, pots, jars, small
buckets, and flowerpots. Plastic trays used for meat and vegetables. Various plastic foils and plastic bags,
although not bread bags or plastic that has been in direct contact with food. Toys and other plastic articles
from households for food packaging. Plastic scrap from old utilized materials.
Regions that are highly affected or heavy occurrence of plastic pollution in Uganda may include Bwaise
suburbs & areas near the Northern By-pass around the wetland settlements, Kawempe suburbs, Ghetto
settlements in Wakiso, Nakivubbo channel, Refugee camp settlements like in Bweyale, Kiryandongo and
many others including around water channels and shores of lakes and rivers like L.Victoria, Kalangala
island regions and the banks of the Nile dense settlements like in the West Nile Regions of Kyangwali.

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 6. SIGNIFICANCE
The significance of this research is that recycling of plastic waste seems to be the best solution to
Uganda’s plastic waste menace, and beneficial both direct and indirectly as they follow below:
o Recycling Plastics Conserves Energy and Natural Resources
Recycling plastics reduces the amount of energy and natural resources (such as water and petroleum)
needed to create virgin plastic.
o Recycling Plastics Saves Landfill Space
Recycling plastic products also keeps them out of landfills and allows the plastics to be reused in
manufacturing new products. Recycling one ton of plastic saves 7.4 cubic yards of landfill space.
o Recycling Plastics is relatively easy
Recycling plastics has never been easier. Today, 80 percent of Ugandans have easy access to a plastics
recycling program, whether they participate in a commercial curbside program or live near a drop-off
site.
o Reduced Oil Consumption
Manufacturers make plastics from crude oil derivatives or natural gas, so making more plastic consumes
an increasing amount of nonrenewable fossil fuel. The amount of oil needed to produce a plastic bottle is
enough to fill a quarter of the bottle. On average, according to the Stanford University recycling center, 1
ton of recycled plastic saves 16.3 barrels of oil. Recycling plastic cuts back on oil consumption, thereby
helping to extend the lifespan of our remaining fossil fuel reserves.
o Saving Energy
To produce plastic, manufacturers must chemically alter crude oil derivatives. One common technique is
radical polymerization, which typically involves compressing the reactants to about a thousand times
atmospheric pressure and heating them to 100 degrees Celsius or above. This kind of technique consumes
a considerable amount of energy. Recycling plastic still uses energy, because the plastic must be
shredded, cleaned, melted and remolded, but it usually requires less energy than making fresh plastic.
According to the Stanford University Recycling Center, recycling 1 ton of plastic saves the equivalent of
5,774 kilowatt-hours of electric energy.
o Reducing Waste
Plastics are durable; their toughness and inertness are what make them so useful. Unfortunately, they're
so durable that they break down very slowly in a landfill When plastics find their way into the
environment -- into the ocean, for example -- they can break down more quickly, but they still take a long
time to biodegrade; a plastic bottle may take a century to break down, for example, while a plastic
beverage holder could take four centuries.
o Dramatically reduce – and over time eradicate – local plastic pollution
The solution and imbedded activities should have clear, obvious, demonstrable and measurable positive
effect on the recycling of plastic waste.
o Enable production of plastic products made from the recycled plastic
The solution and imbedded activities should have clear, obvious, demonstrable and measurable positive
effect on manufacturing of new products made from the recycled plastic, or from a base material
manufactured using the recycled plastic.
o Mobile sorting and production unit

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The solution and embedded technology should be installed in one mobile or movable unit which enable
tests in different locations in the settlement or host community if more viable and relevant, and/or be
moved if influx of plastic waste in this particular area is reduced.
o Renewable and accessible energy
The solution and imbedded activities should be based on renewable and fiscally accessible energy
production and storage.
o Climate positive
The activity should have clear, obvious, demonstrable and measurable positive effect on the climate
impact linked to waste handing in the settlement.
o Creates income and employment:
The solution(s) should create income and employment for refugees and host community through adding
value to collections of plastic waste, processing of the collected material and manufacturing of new
products and /or materials which can be commercialized.
o Creation of sustainable business:
The activity must have a clear business case, showing how it will develop into a durable, thriving
business. The business should include local employment or other positive local livelihoods effects. Part
of the business case should be clear identification of a local market, either existing or likely to be
developed, and be affordable in the local context. In addition, the proposed solutions for business set up
should include plans for future maintenance and repair, and aspects related to e.g. reuse and recycling of
production equipment.
o Improves living conditions and reduces risks for women, youth and children:
The activity should preferably demonstrate how it will lead to improved social conditions and reduced
risks for women, youth, and children - taking into consideration the demographics of the settlement (55%
below the age of 18 and 63% female).
o The solution must be safe to operate and use,
And needed occupational health and safety measures (e.g. needed safety equipment) must be provided
and maintained.
o Increases joint activity and accept between host community and refugees:
The tests of the solutions should illustrate that it benefits both the refugee and host community
o The description of the implementation process should consider practical
And cultural aspects of waste collection and recycling, as well as production and subsequent sales of
products

SECTION II
7. LITERATURE REVIEW
From the literature point of view, we shall look at the state-of-the-art system and the state-of-practice
systems for the research. . I have reviewed in this paper, the most relevant literatures on the different
types of plastics in production, the hazardous chemical constituents, prevailing disposal methods and the
detrimental effects of these constituents to air, water, soil, organisms and human health with the different
disposal methods. Papers that reported environmental and public health effects of plastic constituents but
not plastics directly were also reviewed including newspapers, journals and others.

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7.1 Introduction
Poor plastic waste management is one of the greatest challenges facing urban authorities in Uganda
today. Areas of kawempe, Bwaise, Nkivubbo channel are theleading with a lot of plastic wastes such as
used bottles, polythene bags and many others. People in such areas after using such plastic items just
dump them anyhow and therefore running water and wind gathers such items through the channels of
water. This waste end up compiling in one place hence blocking water tunnels and other channels that’s
why areas of Bwaise end up facing problems of water flooding during heavy down pour of rain.
On the other hand, Uganda is facing rapid urbanization of 5.1% per annum, leading to overcrowding and
the development of slums and informal settlements with poor waste management practices. Urban
dwellers generally consume more resources than rural dwellers, and so generate large quantities of bulky
or solid plastic wastes and sewage. Waste management in these areas is hampered by multiple land tenure
system with many tenants not having a right to the land and therefore, not able to manage waste
domestically and also the urban authorities are overwhelmed by the sheer volumes of garbage generated.
7.2 Historical context
Uganda has one of the highest population growth rates anywhere in the world, registering increases of
around 3.3 percent per annum.35 Furthermore, the urbanization rate of around 5.7 percent per annum36
will yield an urban population of more than 32 million by 2050.37 Uganda has dramatically reduced the
proportion of its population living below the international extreme poverty line, which more than halved
between 1993 and 2013, falling from 68.1 percent to 34.6 percent.38
Despite this progress, these pressing urban challenges are exemplified by the waste sector. In part
because of rising incomes and in part due to urban population growth, the amount of municipal solid
waste generated nationwide is expected to increase to more than five times 2012 levels, reaching 6,313
tons per day by 2025.42 Even at current waste amounts, up to 85 percent of waste currently remains
uncollected in some municipalities in Uganda.
7.3 Current trends
Human activities create waste, but it is the way in which these wastes are handled, stored, collected, and
disposed of that can pose a risk to the environment and public health. In places with intense human
activities such as urban centers, appropriate and safe solid waste management is of great importance in
providing healthy living conditions for residents.
The plastic solid waste that is collected from the five divisions of Kampala City is dumped at the Kiteezi
landfill site, located 12 km from the city center. However, people living near the landfill site have
complained that this site has made their place uninhabitable and that their land has lost value. These
conflicts stem from bad odor, leachate (which pollutes water resources), scattering of wastes from the
dumping sites by wind and scavengers like Marabou storks, and other nuisances such as vermin,
mosquitoes and flies (Mwiganga and Kansiime, 2005).
Furthermore, although landfilling was regarded as an economical and readily available means of
municipal solid waste disposal in developing countries (Mwiganga and Kansiime, 2005), high land prices
as a result of rising populations and incomes in these areas (Idris et al., 2004) have greatly reduced its

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economic attractiveness. In addition, landfills are recognized as a major source of anthropogenic methane
emissions and an important contributor to global warming, accounting for up to 19% of methane
emissions in the world (Kumar et al., 2004). This implies that waste management by landfill disposal is
an option that is not sustainable, especially in the face of environmental awareness and concern. It is
therefore important to identify other, more sustainable waste management methods for waste generated in
Kampala.
7.4 Supporting framework
Though most governments in developing countries acknowledge this fact of providing the necessary
support to manage wastes, many municipalities struggle to provide even the most basic of services
(Zurbrugg, 2003). In the case of Kampala, Uganda, Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) is
mandated by the Local Government Act of 1997 to provide plastic solid waste management services to
all five divisions of Kampala City (Banadda et al., 2009, KCCA, 2012). Some of the solid waste
management services provided by KCCA include the collection and disposal of plastic wastes from
households, market areas, hospitals, industries, and city center areas (National Environment Management
Authority [NEMA], 2000). Efforts to manage wastes in the city are continuously overwhelmed by the
ever-increasing population of city residents, increased levels of economic activity, and reduced funding
from central government.
As a result, incompetence and low service coverage characterize the waste collection and disposal system
in Kampala City. Most of the time, the services are not on schedule and are only provided in crucial areas
such as marketplaces, upscale residential areas, and politically sensitive areas (Tumuhairwe et al., 2009).
In an effort to alleviate this situation, KCCA has contracted private companies to assist with the
management of plastic solid waste collection so as to improve the cleanliness of the city. Despite this,
less than half the total amount of waste generated, estimated to be 1,500 tons per day, is collected (Office
of Auditor General [OAG], 2010). The uncollected waste is normally dumped in open areas, streams,
open drainage channels, and other areas inaccessible to waste collection vehicles, thus creating
environmental and public health hazards for local residents (OAG, 2010).
7.5 Related systems
This refers to the state of the practice of the research proposal besides this developing system of plastic
collecting, there are also others systems that have been there and are still developed and advanced. These
systems may include as follows;
7.5.1 The PVC system
This system simply operates just like a dust collector machine that is generally used in household waste
management. This system collects dust from the floor whereby it has a bin where the dust is collect
before disposal. It’s operated manually with help of current and the air compression section that
facilitates the movement of dust to the bin. This system has helped to keep homes clean hence promoting
household cleanliness and sanitation.

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7.5.2 National urban solid waste management system
This system has been facilitated by KCCA whereby it has deployed heavy trucks around the cities or
urban areas of the country like Kampala, Jinja, Mukono, Arua, Gulu, Lira, Fortportal, Hoima, Masaka,
Isingiro, Kasese and many others. These trucks move around such areas collecting wastes from
household, market, institutions industries and so on from designated points of garbage wastes collection.
7.5.3 Solid waste reuse system
This system on the other hand has enabled collection of scrap waste materials for example there are
points or collecting centers similarly a depot where these scrap materials are gathered from different
individuals and therefore, heavy trucks transport the scrap waste to the factory where they are crushed
and deformed in order to make new re-usable products like basins, baskets, jars, cups, plates and many
others.
7.5.4 Garbage dumping system
This is a system that is most common in most urban and rural centers that involves a specific place where
a pit is excavated and therefore garbage waste collected within the centers of waste collection are finally
dumped and set to burn. Municipalities often identify these sites or places for the dumping of municipal
solid waste. However, the system is characterized with being least expensive, less manual labor required,
collectors step inside the property to collect the wastes and transfer it to the vehicle. There is no need for
bins on the streets.it is also quite expensive due to the intense manual labor involved and the problem of
trespassing on property is often encountered.
7.5.5 A door-to-door waste collection system
This system involves the installation of garbage bins around the corners of urban centers mainly. This is
also controlled and managed by authorities of KCCA. Pedestrians or road users might use some certain
plastic products and or polythene bags like sodas in plastic bottles, food containers, packaging bags and
so on and therefore, dropping off these used wastes after use, installation of garbage bins has helped to
control scattering them around. This has helped to control plastic waste disposal hence promoting
cleanliness and tidiness.
Municipal waste(as a form of waste) management is currently a crucial topic related to a variety of
processes, such as waste generation, storage, collection, transport, recovery and disposal in accordance
with public health, sustainable development and economic policies. The rapid growth of the global
population and urbanization have increased the production of municipal solid waste with critical
socioeconomic and environmental consequences. In order to find optimal solutions for both the problem
of material resources and the e-effectiveness of waste management systems, the concept of Circular
Economy was introduced, based on five principles: waste prevention, reuse, recycling, energy recovery,
and waste disposal.
Vehicles (garbage collection trucks) visit specific collection points following a precise time schedule.
The system is characterized with being economical, convenient for the citizens and a necessity of a
family member for handing-over the municipal solid waste to collectors.

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7.5.6 Curbside waste management system
This system involves mobile bins were garbage is thrown like plastic containers of soda, juice,
milkshake, water and others and therefore, citizens drop off their waste materials in containers at the curb
following a time schedule and collectors empty the containers in the vehicles or garbage collecting
trucks. The system is define with specific features of least time-demanding, it is also economical and
there is no need of someone for the handover of the process.
7.5.7 Pneumatic Municipal Solid Waste system
This is a system that involves management of liquid wastes that is collected and transported through
pipelines with pressurized air that enables and supports the movement of the waste materials in the pipes.
The system is also characterized with specific features that enables its process thus it involves skilled
labor for the smooth running, there is high initial capital investment required, and there is also reduction
of Greenhouse gas emissions, air and noise pollution controlled.

SECTION III
8. METHODOLOGY
This paper presents research conducted in major towns of Uganda in August 2021 and therefore,
following the steps of prototyping are as follows;
8.1 Requirement gathering and Analysis
Semi-structured key questions were stated with respondent interviews were conducted with various
stakeholders, selected in cooperation with my research partner around. In addition, site visits to the
premises of several waste management enterprises at the municipal, a recycling facility, and the city’s
landfill were undertaken thus involved the use of a questionnaire and conducted interview to capture
more data. The need for observation, checking relevant records & data conducting surveys were also of
great value in gathering data and information.
8.2 Design and User review
These visits yielded data regarding the operations of the organizations. I also carried out an extensive
analysis of the existing literature and other key documentation, including review documents, journals,
and panel code, newspapers etc. related to the as yet unapproved by the National Urban Solid Waste
Management Policy and KCCA guidelines. Based on the requirements, the need for User Centered
Design was relevant.
8.3 Prototype development
There is no sound level of awareness about the need to avoid generating unnecessary solid waste. This
lack of awareness always leads to unnecessary waste creation and generation. Information from this study
shows the willingness of the local community both in very informal settlement and a more affluent
section to pay for solid waste generated. Another compelling fact about solid waste management is the
inefficiency of the division to manage solid waste due to financial challenges arising from limited

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financial support and collection from the local people to pay for their garbage. True also is the fact that
the private collectors don’t remit any money to the council yet this being a business venture. Landlords of
most informal settlement houses also don’t provide for solid waste management facilities for their
tenants.
8.4 User evaluation
The collection, transportation and disposal of solid waste in Kampala are the responsibility of KCCA,
Municipalities and its agents or appointed private collectors. The responsible person at any dwelling unit
(home), industrial or institutional establishment (premises) or ground within the corporate limits (center)
of the city where solid waste is generated and accumulates is responsible for the solid waste until it is
collected by the council.
8.5 Refining the prototype
The study research furthermore, adopted a combination of qualitative and quantitative designs to get
deeper understanding of underlying issues of solid waste management in Bwaise, Kawempe, Nkivubbo
channel to mention but a few urban informal settlements. Participants were selected purposively due to
their essential knowledge and randomly to estimate the garbage amount generated in the area. Data was
transcribed, edited, summarized and analyzed according to the objectives and variables set out in the
Terms of Reference. The information was presented in chapters reflecting the key objectives of the study
both in narrative and analytical forms. The study scope was limited to household and commercial
enterprises garbage generated in Bwaise, Kawempe Division and other major urban settings with special
emphasis on the plastic solid waste management cycle from collection to ultimate disposal.
8.6 Implementation and maintenance
This study however proposes a new fee collection arrangement where, through the council, a levy similar
to local service tax to be levied and collected by the Landlord as part of their monthly rental fees and
remitted to the council for garbage collection. This levy will save the council three important challenges
a) lack of sufficient resources to collect, transport and dispose-off solid from the informal settlements
b) The council will effectively collect the levy from Landlords who don’t provide for solid waste
management and
c) When the fee is used to sub-contract local private collectors to collect solid waste where council
cannot reach, the council will be able to tax the private collectors for the service.
Another alternative collection arrangement is through the local councils at village or zonal level to collect
this fee on behalf of the council due to their knowledge of the local community landlords which
information council tax collectors may not have. This arrangement will also empower local communities
to hold the council accountable for the uncollected solid waste from their dwellings.
Practically, owing to the fact that each resident has to pay rent and generates solid waste, all generators of
solid waste will be able to pay for their solid waste and this money will be used to collect, transport and
dispose-off waste through public private arrangements where council cannot effectively cover all areas.
However special attention should be put to the amount of levied depending on the amount of solid waste
generated, community sensitization about this levy and solid waste responsibilities, and accountability for
the levy collected.

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9. REFERENCES
Kampala Capital City Authority, Solid Waste Management Strategy, December, (2002), as
revised in 2006
Republic of Uganda, Office of the auditor general, Value for money audit report on solid waste
management in Kampala city council, (2010)
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[http://doi.org/10.106/j.envint.2020.106067]
APPENDIX

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