This study aimed at examining solid waste management systems in Ethiopia, identifying the gaps, and exploring ways for improvement. Expansive literature surveys of journal articles, official reports, state-issued pamphlets, critical review of laws and policies were used to elicit information. Case studies provided insight into challenges while investigations into the waste management system of countries with a better system were made to draw comparisons and pinpoint areas of improvement. The average waste generation (0.32 kg/capita/day) was found to be within the limit of waste generation for low-income countries: however, there is an annual increase in waste generation by 5%. The waste is dominated by organic biodegradables which accounted for 67.4%. Crude open dumping without pre-treatment and traditional open burning of wastes are common practices. only 5% of waste is recycled in an unsafe informal way. The current waste management system can be described by 3 I’s (Irregular, inadequate, and inefficient) which denote sporadic and inconsistent collection, low coverage, technical frailties, and lack of enforcement of laws, respectively. Hence, implementing the new system proposed in this study should be a priority. Political will, institutional reform, finance, and most importantly change in behavior are necessary to ensure sustainable waste management.

这项研究旨在检查埃塞俄比亚的固体废物管理系统，找出差距，并探索改善方法。对期刊文章，官方报告，国家发行的小册子，法律和政策的严格审查进行了广泛的文献调查，以获取信息。案例研究提供了对挑战的洞察力，同时对具有更好系统的国家的废物管理系统进行了调查，以进行比较并指出需要改进的地方。发现低收入国家的平均废物产生量（0.32千克/人均/天）在废物产生量的限制之内：但是，废物产生量每年增加5％。废物以有机可降解物质为主，占67.4％。没有预处理的粗野露天倾倒和传统的露天焚烧是常见的做法。只有5％的废物以不安全的非正式方式进行回收。当前的废物管理系统可以用3 I（不规则，不足和效率低）来描述，分别表示零星的和不一致的收集，覆盖率低，技术脆弱以及缺乏法律执行力。因此，实施本研究中提出的新系统应该是一个优先事项。政治意愿，机构改革，财务以及最重要的行为改变是确保可持续废物管理所必需的。技术上的脆弱和缺乏法律执行。因此，实施本研究中提出的新系统应该是一个优先事项。政治意愿，机构改革，财务以及最重要的行为改变是确保可持续废物管理所必需的。技术上的脆弱和缺乏法律执行。因此，实施本研究中提出的新系统应该是一个优先事项。政治意愿，机构改革，财务以及最重要的行为改变是确保可持续废物管理所必需的。