**3. The conceptual framework**

The conceptual framework of sustainable SWM above is designed by the author after reviewing the theoretical perspectives raised so far. The cornerstones of the framework are environmental awareness of actors, institutional and regulatory arrangement. The logical process within the framework flaws from environmental

**Figure 1.**

*Conceptual framework for implementing sustainable solid waste collection through 3R's.*

awareness to organisational arrangement for the implementation of bylaws. The basis of the framework hinges on the notion of a link of factors, environmental awareness, institutional arrangement [28]. Thus, a flexible but a structured framework is formed to conceptualise previous studies in the area and also to organise data collection and analysis.

We consider four components (C1–C4, see **Figure 1**) for analysis. They are the environmental awareness of households and private SWC service providers for waste separation and the 3R's (C1), the institutional, regulatory arrangement and availability of infrastructure, rules for the 3R's, contractual obligations between CAA and CADs regarding 3R's; moreover, CAA's and CADs' enforcement capacities are examined [29]. This component also considers the integration among stakeholders (C2). Then, (C3) looks at the implementation of waste separation and 3R's. (C4) evaluates the outcomes of the SWM sector in terms of sustainability. In this component, households and private providers' awareness and the integration of such actors and the contents in the contract are evaluated whether they lead to the implementation of waste separation and the 3R's principles and environmental sustainability. Analysing the components, we provide recommendations for the feasibility of waste separation and the 3R's principles implementation which lead to achieving sustainable SWM in Ethiopian cities. This could be relevant for other developing countries as well.
