If you’ve walked the streets of Addis Ababa or other major cities in Ethiopia, it’s likely that you’ve seen plastic bags and other materials accumulate on street corners and sidewalks. Not only is this waste unsightly, but it also poses grave environmental and health risks. This increased waste, analysts say, are due to two major factors: the increased use of plastic bags and a weak waste management system in major cities. EBR’s Meseret Mamo spoke with waste management experts, urban dwellers and government officials to learn more about this growing problem and what’s being done to stop it.

The Evolving Culture of Tipping in Ethiopia

In one of the recent hits of Woody Allen’s thrilling movies ‘Blue Jasmine’, (winner of this year’s Academy Awards for best actress and nominated for best picture and best screen play); there is a scene where the leading character, a sophisticated but broken woman is baby sitting her nephews. She takes them out to a restaurant and tells them to be generous when they are rich and advises them particularly to be kind to waiters, saying: “Tip big boys; tip big, because you got good service and they [waiters] count on tips”.

The Tragedy of the Homeless Elderly

Ethiopians are well known for respecting and caring for their elders. Many have worked their entire lives and have given their time, energy and money to their country. However, when the time comes for them to retire, the truth arrives and they are often all cashed out.

What the Government Should Have Done to Safeguard Unprotected Ethiopians in the Middle East

Following the expiry of the seven month period given by the government of Saudi Arabia, for illegal immigrants to be legal or leave the country voluntarily, the public security apparatus of the Islamic kingdom was in full swing. This has led to the arrest and detention of hundreds of thousands of immigrants for eventual deportation. The operation has been violent in some instances.