ABSTRACT
The newfound problem that has entangled the city, plastic bottle waste, is the focus of this chapter. Even 10 years ago, bottled water was available only in big hotels and restaurants. Mineral water and soda used to be served in reusable glass bottles. Now, the plastic bottle culture covers the whole city (if not the whole country). If people don’t hold plastic bottled waters in their hands, they may be considered out of the popular culture. There are more than 77 bottled water-producing and/or packaging companies in the city selling “quality’ water. It seems innocent until one sees Addis Ababa’s streets, open sewers, and rivers. A heartbreaking scene of plastic bottle litter is everywhere. There is evidence that the clogging of the city’s drainage has increased the incidence of flooding in the city. If not addressed sooner than later, this can become a pain in the city’s neck. This chapter not only points to the problem but also directs to well-tested and low-cost solutions.
