Suitability of Municipal Solid Waste Transfer Stations in Harare, Zimbabwe

This study assessed the suitability of incorporating waste transfer stations in six developed future municipal solid waste (MSW) management options for urban environments within and surrounding Harare city. MSW collection and transportation is a major challenge characterising the management of MSW being generated, currently consuming over 70% of the MSW management budget. Life cycle assessment showed increased contribution of waste collection and transportation to acidification, eutrophication, global warming and human health impacts of 0.012 species.year, 0.0002 species.year, 0.065 species.year and 34 DALYs respectively for all the developed MSW management options. The greatest impact in regards to species extinction rate (species.year) is witnessed under global warming due to the emission of greenhouse gases from the burning of fuels during MSW collection and transportation. These and other factors such as land unavailability to construct MSW management facilities (landfills, waste to energy and material recovery) and human health hazards associated with these facilities near population centres justify the incorporation of waste transfer stations in future MSW management options. This study further recommends the need for legislative and regulatory framework for proper siting, design and operation of transfer stations to enhance their effectiveness and efficiency and reduce their impacts to the community and environment.