Developing a model for improving environmental entrepreneurship in solid waste management in the city of Harare

Abstract

This study set out to develop an integrated framework for enhancing environmental entrepreneurship in solid waste management in the City of Harare, Zimbabwe. It sought to describe current state of environmental entrepreneurship, assess its effectiveness in managing urban solid waste, and propose a strategic framework for its integration with sustainable waste management strategies. The research was motivated by the pressing urban waste challenges in Harare characterized by inadequate infrastructure, weak regulatory frameworks, and a growing informal waste sector, which have been insufficiently addressed by conventional municipal approaches. Despite the emergence of environmental entrepreneurship as a global response to waste and resource sustainability, limited empirical attention has been given to its role within African urban settings, particularly in Zimbabwe. To bridge this gap, a mixed-method research design was adopted, combining qualitative and quantitative approaches within a pragmatist paradigm. A concurrent triangulation strategy was employed, where structured questionnaires were administered to 72 managers or owners of solid waste recycling enterprises, while semi-structured interviews were conducted with 13 purposively selected key informants, including city officials, residents’ associations, and regulatory agencies. The study also reviewed relevant documentary evidence. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics (means and standard deviations), while qualitative data underwent thematic analysis to extract patterns and stakeholder perspectives. The reliability and validity of instruments were ensured through a pilot study, triangulation of methods, and expert review. Findings revealed that environmental entrepreneurship in Harare is at a nascent stage, characterized by low public awareness, minimal stakeholder coordination, and limited institutional support. Although community-based and informal initiatives exist, they remain fragmented and under-resourced, with inadequate linkages to formal waste governance systems. Mean scores for impact indicators such as waste reduction (2.6), technology use (2.4), and policy support (2.2) fell below neutral, underscoring widespread stakeholder dissatisfaction with the current state of affairs. Interviews further confirmed that existing environmental entrepreneurship activities were marginally effective in addressing solid waste accumulation, employment creation, or technological innovation. Notably, while the informal sector plays a significant role in waste recovery, its exclusion from formal policy and funding structures has constrained its effectiveness and scalability. In response to these findings, the study developed an integrated framework that comprises six interrelated components: governance and policy reform, resource mobilization, technological innovation, community engagement, operational infrastructure, and implementation mechanisms. The proposed framework recommends the creation of a dedicated Environmental Entrepreneurship Policy, the establishment of a Waste Management Coordination Council, the launch of school-based awareness campaigns, and the integration of informal waste workers into formal systems. Financing strategies such as levies and donor partnerships are also embedded in the model to enhance viability and sustainability. The study contributes a context-specific, evidence-based model to guide policymakers, entrepreneurs, and stakeholders in transforming Harare’s fragmented waste ecosystem into a coordinated, inclusive, and resilient system driven by green innovation. It underscores the need for policy coherence, targeted funding, community participation, and technological investment to mainstream environmental entrepreneurship in urban waste management. The findings offer practical insights for replication in other African cities facing similar environmental and institutional challenges, and provide a foundation for future longitudinal and comparative research on green entrepreneurship and sustainable urban development.