Growth Surge Exposes Cracks in Waste Management Regime

Jan 31 , 2026
By Manosree S. & Asiya Kochuveettil

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Ethiopia’s flagship Reppie Waste-to-Energy plant, launched in 2018, was built to incinerate 1,400tns of garbage a day and generate up to 30Mw of electricity. However, a recent report showed it is operating at less than half its intended capacity. As the country weighs the benefits of rapid growth, the struggle to manage hazardous waste looms large, uncovering the complexity of balancing economic progress with environmental and public health considerations, write Manosree S. and Asiya Kochuveettil (asiya@mcclellandindia.com), associates at the Mc Clelland Engineers Plc., a manufacturer of engineered incineration systems for hazardous waste.

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Ethiopia’s rapid economic growth, fueled by the rise of industrial parks in Hawassa, Bole Lemi, Dukem, Kombolcha, and Mekelle, is creating new jobs and attracting foreign investment. Textile factories, leather tanneries, food processors, and other manufacturers have become pillars of this transformation, drawing thousands of workers, especially women, and boosting exports.

The healthcare sector is expanding with hospitals and clinics, particularly in urban areas, as the country’s population is projected to exceed 130 million in a few years.

However, the progress comes with a growing environmental and public health challenge. Industrial facilities generate hazardous by-products, including chemical dyes, solvents, acids, and heavy metals such as chromium, lead, and cadmium. Leather tanneries, a major export sector, produce chromium-contaminated sludge. In many instances, untreated factory waste is dumped directly into rivers and streams.

The Little Akaki River, on the outskirts of Addis Abeba, has become notorious for pollution. Downstream, farmers, livestock, and families suffer from water contamination. Municipal solid waste compounds the problem. A 2024 study reported that over 85pc of municipal waste could be reused or recycled, but actual collection and recovery rates remain low. Weak collection systems mean that open dumping, burning, and informal disposal are still the norm.

The expansion of healthcare services also brings more clinical waste, including used syringes, sharps, contaminated bandages, pathological waste, and expired medicines. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), properly managed medical waste should yield only 15pc and 25pc hazardous material. In reality, hospitals in Ethiopia often exceed this. In Addis Abeba, some hospitals reach 30pc, well above WHO guidelines. At Bule Hora University Hospital, hazardous waste accounted for 43pc of total waste, a study found.

The risks are immediate and severe. Industrial chemicals and heavy metals contaminate water, air, and soil, causing respiratory diseases, waterborne illnesses, and skin infections. Healthcare workers face daily exposure to needle-stick injuries and infection, while informal waste collectors and local residents are especially at risk. The consequences extend to higher public health spending, lower productivity, damage to farmland and fisheries, and mounting cleanup costs for the government.

A flagship project, the Reppie Waste-to-Energy plant, launched in 2018, was designed to incinerate around 1,400tns of waste a day, about 80pc of the city’s garbage, and generate 25Mw to 30Mw of electricity. However, a 2025 report found the facility processed only 396tn to 650tns daily, less than half its intended capacity, revealing technical and operational difficulties.

There are solutions to these challenges. Modern incinerators operating at 850 to 1,100 degrees Celsius can safely destroy hazardous materials, reduce waste volume, and recover energy. Some systems include material recovery units to capture metals from ash.

Experts stress the importance of strict waste segregation at the source, especially in hospitals, along with regular training, monitoring, and maintenance. Technology should be paired with strict waste segregation at the source, especially in hospitals. Enforcement of existing laws, such as a 2018 law on hazardous waste, and community involvement are critical to ensuring safe practices.

Ethiopia’s fast-paced development brings opportunity and pride, but the growing mountains of hazardous waste threaten public health and environmental gains. The country already has access to proven technology and the expertise of local firms. What remains is the political will and investment to build effective waste management systems, ensuring that economic growth is not undermined by its own by-products.

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PUBLISHED ON Jan 31,2026 [ VOL 26 , NO 1344]

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