Analysis of characteristics, activities, and exposure to vermin of human landfill scavengers in a developing nation

Ernest Kimbugwe and Olurominiyi O. Ibitayo ()
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Ernest Kimbugwe: Texas Southern University
Olurominiyi O. Ibitayo: Texas Southern University

Environment Systems and Decisions, 2014, vol. 34, issue 2, 358-365

Abstract: Abstract Scavengers, an important and legitimate group especially in developing countries, seem to have been virtually ignored by local municipalities in formulating solid waste management policies. Using researcher-administrated survey and semi-structured interviews, this study provides comprehensive information about human landfill scavengers in Kampala, Uganda, a developing nation. The results showed that the human scavengers consider waste picking as a full-time employment and not as a transitory form of urban employment. Also, the scavengers live in residential areas and not in squatter villages around the landfill. Scavengers’ exposure to flies is noted to be relatively high. The respondents do not engage in fierce competition involving pushing one another and that they often leave the collected items on the landfill without the concern of having the materials stolen. The relatively high level of trust among the scavengers can serve as a spring board for establishing scavengers’ cooperatives.

Keywords: Kampala; Uganda; Landfill scavengers; Vermin; Developing nation (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2014
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DOI: 10.1007/s10669-013-9466-1

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