Article: Governance practices of the grassroots initiatives involved in solid waste management: does collaboration with local government matter? Journal: International Journal of Environment and Waste Management (IJEWM) 2025 Vol.38 No.4 pp.429 - 449 Abstract: Despite the increasing support for more participation of grassroots initiatives in the formal solid waste management (SWM) system, little is known about their governance approach, especially in developing countries. Accordingly, this study investigated the governance practices of grassroots organisations involved in collecting solid waste and the extent to which their collaboration with municipal councils influenced their governance approach. The study entailed in-depth interviews with 10 municipal and ward officers, and 21 leaders of grassroots organisations in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. The findings reveal that, in order to apply for and execute municipal waste collection contracts, grassroots organisations were compelled to formalise, institute governance structures to ensure accountability, transparency and financial control and the participation of the community in managing waste. This was facilitated by grassroots organisations adopting a controlled system of collecting fees, opening a bank account and reconciling municipal reports with their records, being supported to access resources and ensuring the engagement of the community. In view of this, the study demonstrates how cross-sector collaboration of the public sector and non-state actors ensures that waste is collected and managed effectively. Inderscience Publishers - linking academia, business and industry through research

Title: Governance practices of the grassroots initiatives involved in solid waste management: does collaboration with local government matter?

Authors: Goodluck Charles; Mesia Ilomo

Addresses: Department of Marketing, University of Dar es Salaam Business School, Tanzania ' Department of Finance, University of Dar es Salaam Business School, Tanzania

Abstract: Despite the increasing support for more participation of grassroots initiatives in the formal solid waste management (SWM) system, little is known about their governance approach, especially in developing countries. Accordingly, this study investigated the governance practices of grassroots organisations involved in collecting solid waste and the extent to which their collaboration with municipal councils influenced their governance approach. The study entailed in-depth interviews with 10 municipal and ward officers, and 21 leaders of grassroots organisations in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. The findings reveal that, in order to apply for and execute municipal waste collection contracts, grassroots organisations were compelled to formalise, institute governance structures to ensure accountability, transparency and financial control and the participation of the community in managing waste. This was facilitated by grassroots organisations adopting a controlled system of collecting fees, opening a bank account and reconciling municipal reports with their records, being supported to access resources and ensuring the engagement of the community. In view of this, the study demonstrates how cross-sector collaboration of the public sector and non-state actors ensures that waste is collected and managed effectively.

Keywords: grassroots initiatives; solid waste management; SWM; local government; cross-sector collaboration; municipal councils; collaborative governance.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEWM.2025.150150

International Journal of Environment and Waste Management, 2025 Vol.38 No.4, pp.429 - 449

Received: 20 Sep 2023
Accepted: 08 Dec 2023
Published online: 02 Dec 2025 *

Full-text access for editors Full-text access for subscribers Purchase this article Comment on this article

Title: Governance practices of the grassroots initiatives involved in solid waste management: does collaboration with local government matter?

Keep up-to-date