Invisible waste: Understanding the political culture of solid and liquid waste management in towns of Tanzania

This article uses ethnographic and case study approaches to unveil the distinct culture characterizing the management of liquid and solid waste in urban areas of Tanzania. The article shows that the slow accumulation nature of liquid waste such as fecal sludge makes it a less immediate nuisance to residents compared to solid waste, and the general public tends to perceive the management of liquid waste as a responsibility of individual dwelling owners hence a private good rather than public good that would require organization at a community level. This makes liquid waste less visible to politicians and residents alike despite it being a higher risk factor for disease outbreaks compared to solid wastes. The article argues that attempts to improve liquid waste management need to focus on making it a political priority by creating demand-driven service provision, where residents would increase political pressure for access to improved liquid waste management services.