Proper solid waste management remains a significant global problem. The heterogeneous nature of waste, including plastics, food scraps, paper, and glass, complicates the handling process. In many cities, increasing waste quantities strain municipal authorities’ capacity to keep up.  Nairobi, “the Green City in the Sun,” is not spared. This metropolis of 5.5 million residents generates between 2,000 and 2,500 tons of waste daily, with a large portion going uncollected. This gap in collection services has led to the alarming rise of “self-contained” dumpsites within residential apartments, posing serious health and environmental risks. These recently established dumping areas are located in staircases or basements of apartment buildings. The waste is often collected inconsistently by ‘mikokoteni guys ‘on a weekly basis, only after subjecting residents to foul odours. The waste rarely reaches designated recycling facilities or landfills and is often dumped in nearby rivers, further polluting the environment. Low collection coverage, limited waste transportation options, and a lack of proper recycling and disposal facilities plague waste management in many developing cities. Unfortunately, waste reduction, the most effective strategy, remains an elusive goal in most countries. https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/environment-climate/article/2001495901/nairobis-apartment-crisis-rise-of-self-contained-dumpsites