Journal of Sustainable Development in Africa (Volume 15, No.3, 2013)
ISSN: 1520-5509
Clarion University of Pennsylvania, Clarion, Pennsylvania
DETERMINANTS OF SOURCE SEPARATION OF MUNICIPAL SOLID WASTE IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES: THE CASE OF GHANA
Kwaku Oduro-Appiah and Bernard Ebo Aggrey
Water and Sanitation Group, Department of Chemistry, University of Cape Coast, Ghana
ABSTRACT
Source separation of municipal solid waste, (rarely practised in Ghana and Africa) which holds great promise to usher the country and continent into the realm of integrated and sustainable solid waste management is reviewed in this study. The study examines the determinants of source separation as the technical heart of a sustainable solid waste management option. The research was conducted mainly through interviews and survey across the socio-economic divide to determine willingness and ability to separate waste at source. Emphasis was placed on the degree and category of separation, and motivational measures likely to promote public acceptance and increase efficiency and coverage of future source separation processes. The study showed that residents have the ability and are willing to source separate waste into at least two streams. Biodegradables and plastics are the most preferred components of separation. Major anticipated challenges of the process include bin storage space and consistency of collection of segregated waste. Motivational expectations towards a future source separation program include provision of free storage bins to householders.
Keywords: Municipal solid waste, Determinants, Source separation, Sustainable solid waste management Developing economies, Tema, Ghana.
INTRODUCTION
Municipal Solid Waste Management (MSWM) is considered to be one of the most immediate and serious problems confronting urban government in most developing and transitional economies (UN-HABITAT, 2010a). Ghana’s main MSWM system has been collection, transportation and eventual disposal of co-mingled Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) unto uncontrolled to semi-controlled dumpsites. “The system has often been characterized by inadequate service coverage, operational inefficiencies of services, limited utilization of recycling activities, inadequate management of non-industrial hazardous waste and inadequate landfill disposal” (Zurbrügg & Schertenleib, 1998, p. 2). Such management practice has always come along with adverse public health effects and financial burdens. Environmental sanitation related diseases such as malaria, diarrheoa, intestinal worms and acute upper respiratory tract infections constitute about 70%-85% of health problems reported at outpatient facilities in the country with seasonal epidemic outbreaks of cholera (MLGRD, 2010a). The service consume 35% of municipal budgets besides periodic financial support from development partners with no marked improvement (MLGRD, 2010b). Clearly the system is neither integrated nor sustainable. It is neither environmentally friendly nor economically viable. The system has become more challenging in recent times with rapid population growth, urbanisation, competing needs and diminishing availability of disposal sites especially in urban centres of countries with developing economies (UN-HABITAT, 2010b).
The existing MSWM situation and associated adverse impacts are best addressed by establishing a sustainable and integrated solid waste management option where all types of municipal solid waste and all facets of the waste management process are considered together (EGSSAA, 2009). (McDougall, White, Franke, & Hindle, 2001) recommends for adoption and implementation in countries with developing economies, a sustainable and integrated solid waste management (SISWM) system that requires, the collection of solid waste composition data; progress from uncontrolled dumping to the use of sanitary landfill; separation of organic waste from MSW, which can then be composted; and formal involvement of scavengers in the recycling of materials. A step toward the adoption of such a sustainable and integrated system has already begun in Ghana with the introduction of engineered landfills in some major metropolis of the country (MLGRD, 2010a). A bigger technical picture of SISWM whereby waste minimization; source separation; hygienic storage, efficient collection and transportation, composting, recycling, incineration and sanitary landfill disposal would complement each other in an economically viable, socially acceptable, and environmentally friendly manner however still remains evasive.
The necessity of reducing the level of emission and the cost of managing sanitary landfills in Ghana and other countries with developing economies calls for a comprehensive review of the state and category of solid waste that ends up in them. Currently, mixed (co-mingled) MSW with approximately 67% by weight of biodegradables, 20% plastics, 5% textiles and
8% combinations of silt, paper, metal, glass and household hazardous waste end up in Ghana’s landfills (Oteng-Ababio,
2011). Mixed MSW has not helped the management of the first and only composting plant in the country since 1980. The mixed nature of the waste, with plastics, metals, and raw faecal matter, especially in low income areas has been a major problem of the plant (Boadi, & Kuitunen, 2004).
Source separation of MSW into various components is an important option towards achieving a sustainable and integrated solid waste management system in Ghana. Such a system is one aligned to all three pillars (economic, social and environmental) of sustainable development. It encompasses stakeholders, elements, and aspects and seeks to manage all three components in a sustainable manner (Khatib, 2011). To achieve system sustainability, all required aspects, such as financial, social, institutional, political, legal, and environmental that assesses the feasibility of the management needs to be addressed in a sustainable way. SISWM considers the technological system in addition to other elements including the socio- economic settings, the physical environment and growth in public demands and management scenarios. The success of such a system depends on the sound planning, administration, and management of the entire MSWM system. It begins with an institutional and policy environment that views MSWM as an important component in the sustainable development plans of a city (UNEP, 2000). It is designed on regulations that protect human health and the environment and funded based on the needs of the system. The system is coordinated in a holistic manner to provide a vital public service that does not compromise human health and the environment.
Source separated materials readily makes available the necessary raw materials for recycling and composting plants. A relatively small portion of solid waste in addition to the inevitable by-products of composting and recycling will end up on landfills. According to McDougall et al. (2001), separation of organic waste from the MSW stream represents an opportunity to reduce the quantity of waste entering landfills in developing countries by up to 50% by weight. Source separation increases the value of MSW and promotes cost recovery schemes in addition to prolonging the lifespan of the landfills.
However, source separation of MSW into many components as done in most developed economies would be difficult to implement in Ghana where such a system has never been practiced. There is always the need for waste management authorities and stakeholders to really understand existing waste management issues and find solutions that are appropriate to specific local situations (UN-HABITAT, 2010a). The introduction of such a system as part of integrated solid waste management would thus require a thorough research study to determine the extent and category of separation in addition to the willingness and ability of the masses to effectively and efficiently carry out the separation process. This paper seeks to determine all the necessary factors required to facilitate the smooth introduction of source separation of MSW in Ghana. The aim is to determine all the factors that will easily facilitate and promote a successful source separation system in the country and other countries with developing economies. The result is intended to serve as a guide to planners, policy makers and waste management authorities in developing countries towards the attainment of a sustainable and integrated solid waste management system.
DESCRIPTION OF TEMA METROPOLIS
Tema is a coastal city situated about 30 kilometres south-east of Accra, the capital city of Ghana. The metropolis shares common boundaries with Accra Metropolitan Assembly on the west, the Ga District Assembly on the North West, the Dangme West District on the northern and eastern borders and the Gulf of Guinea (Atlantic Ocean) on the south. The metropolis covers an area of 356 km2 and lies within the coastal savannah zone (Ghanadistricts, 2012).
Tema is situated on the Greenwich meridian with 0o longitude passing through it and serves as the administrative capital of the Tema Metropolitan Assembly (TMA). It is home to the busiest harbor of the nation (the Tema Harbour) and has most of the country’s industries located there. This is largely due to the presence of the harbour and the availability of industrial lands and infrastructure. (Tema Metropolitan Assembly, 2006),
Tema is characterized by a dry equatorial climate. It is the driest part of southern Ghana with an annual rainfall of about 7 90 mm. Generally; temperatures are high all year round. The total population of the metropolis as of the year 2000 stood at
511,459 (Ghana Statistical Service, 2005). At a growth rate of 2.7%, the current population is estimated to be around
726,495.
Figure 1: Map of Tema, Ghana
OVERVIEW OF MUNICIPAL SOLID WASTE IN TEMA
The waste manage
Journal of Sustainable Development in Africa (Volume 15, No.3, 2013)
ISSN: 1520-5509
Clarion University of Pennsylvania, Clarion, Pennsylvania
DETERMINANTS OF SOURCE SEPARATION OF MUNICIPAL SOLID WASTE IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES: THE CASE OF GHANA
Kwaku Oduro-Appiah and Bernard Ebo Aggrey
Water and Sanitation Group, Department of Chemistry, University of Cape Coast, Ghana
ABSTRACT
Source separation of municipal solid waste, (rarely practised in Ghana and Africa) which holds great promise to usher the country and continent into the realm of integrated and sustainable solid waste management is reviewed in this study. The study examines the determinants of source separation as the technical heart of a sustainable solid waste management option. The research was conducted mainly through interviews and survey across the socio-economic divide to determine willingness and ability to separate waste at source. Emphasis was placed on the degree and category of separation, and motivational measures likely to promote public acceptance and increase efficiency and coverage of future source separation processes. The study showed that residents have the ability and are willing to source separate waste into at least two streams. Biodegradables and plastics are the most preferred components of separation. Major anticipated challenges of the process include bin storage space and consistency of collection of segregated waste. Motivational expectations towards a future source separation program include provision of free storage bins to householders.
Keywords: Municipal solid waste, Determinants, Source separation, Sustainable solid waste management Developing economies, Tema, Ghana.
INTRODUCTION
Municipal Solid Waste Management (MSWM) is considered to be one of the most immediate and serious problems confronting urban government in most developing and transitional economies (UN-HABITAT, 2010a). Ghana’s main MSWM system has been collection, transportation and eventual disposal of co-mingled Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) unto uncontrolled to semi-controlled dumpsites. “The system has often been characterized by inadequate service coverage, operational inefficiencies of services, limited utilization of recycling activities, inadequate management of non-industrial hazardous waste and inadequate landfill disposal” (Zurbrügg & Schertenleib, 1998, p. 2). Such management practice has always come along with adverse public health effects and financial burdens. Environmental sanitation related diseases such as malaria, diarrheoa, intestinal worms and acute upper respiratory tract infections constitute about 70%-85% of health problems reported at outpatient facilities in the country with seasonal epidemic outbreaks of cholera (MLGRD, 2010a). The service consume 35% of municipal budgets besides periodic financial support from development partners with no marked improvement (MLGRD, 2010b). Clearly the system is neither integrated nor sustainable. It is neither environmentally friendly nor economically viable. The system has become more challenging in recent times with rapid population growth, urbanisation, competing needs and diminishing availability of disposal sites especially in urban centres of countries with developing economies (UN-HABITAT, 2010b).
The existing MSWM situation and associated adverse impacts are best addressed by establishing a sustainable and integrated solid waste management option where all types of municipal solid waste and all facets of the waste management process are considered together (EGSSAA, 2009). (McDougall, White, Franke, & Hindle, 2001) recommends for adoption and implementation in countries with developing economies, a sustainable and integrated solid waste management (SISWM) system that requires, the collection of solid waste composition data; progress from uncontrolled dumping to the use of sanitary landfill; separation of organic waste from MSW, which can then be composted; and formal involvement of scavengers in the recycling of materials. A step toward the adoption of such a sustainable and integrated system has already begun in Ghana with the introduction of engineered landfills in some major metropolis of the country (MLGRD, 2010a). A bigger technical picture of SISWM whereby waste minimization; source separation; hygienic storage, efficient collection and transportation, composting, recycling, incineration and sanitary landfill disposal would complement each other in an economically viable, socially acceptable, and environmentally friendly manner however still remains evasive.
The necessity of reducing the level of emission and the cost of managing sanitary landfills in Ghana and other countries with developing economies calls for a comprehensive review of the state and category of solid waste that ends up in them. Currently, mixed (co-mingled) MSW with approximately 67% by weight of biodegradables, 20% plastics, 5% textiles and
8% combinations of silt, paper, metal, glass and household hazardous waste end up in Ghana’s landfills (Oteng-Ababio,
2011). Mixed MSW has not helped the management of the first and only composting plant in the country since 1980. The mixed nature of the waste, with plastics, metals, and raw faecal matter, especially in low income areas has been a major problem of the plant (Boadi, & Kuitunen, 2004).
Source separation of MSW into various components is an important option towards achieving a sustainable and integrated solid waste management system in Ghana. Such a system is one aligned to all three pillars (economic, social and environmental) of sustainable development. It encompasses stakeholders, elements, and aspects and seeks to manage all three components in a sustainable manner (Khatib, 2011). To achieve system sustainability, all required aspects, such as financial, social, institutional, political, legal, and environmental that assesses the feasibility of the management needs to be addressed in a sustainable way. SISWM considers the technological system in addition to other elements including the socio- economic settings, the physical environment and growth in public demands and management scenarios. The success of such a system depends on the sound planning, administration, and management of the entire MSWM system. It begins with an institutional and policy environment that views MSWM as an important component in the sustainable development plans of a city (UNEP, 2000). It is designed on regulations that protect human health and the environment and funded based on the needs of the system. The system is coordinated in a holistic manner to provide a vital public service that does not compromise human health and the environment.
Source separated materials readily makes available the necessary raw materials for recycling and composting plants. A relatively small portion of solid waste in addition to the inevitable by-products of composting and recycling will end up on landfills. According to McDougall et al. (2001), separation of organic waste from the MSW stream represents an opportunity to reduce the quantity of waste entering landfills in developing countries by up to 50% by weight. Source separation increases the value of MSW and promotes cost recovery schemes in addition to prolonging the lifespan of the landfills.
However, source separation of MSW into many components as done in most developed economies would be difficult to implement in Ghana where such a system has never been practiced. There is always the need for waste management authorities and stakeholders to really understand existing waste management issues and find solutions that are appropriate to specific local situations (UN-HABITAT, 2010a). The introduction of such a system as part of integrated solid waste management would thus require a thorough research study to determine the extent and category of separation in addition to the willingness and ability of the masses to effectively and efficiently carry out the separation process. This paper seeks to determine all the necessary factors required to facilitate the smooth introduction of source separation of MSW in Ghana. The aim is to determine all the factors that will easily facilitate and promote a successful source separation system in the country and other countries with developing economies. The result is intended to serve as a guide to planners, policy makers and waste management authorities in developing countries towards the attainment of a sustainable and integrated solid waste management system.
DESCRIPTION OF TEMA METROPOLIS
Tema is a coastal city situated about 30 kilometres south-east of Accra, the capital city of Ghana. The metropolis shares common boundaries with Accra Metropolitan Assembly on the west, the Ga District Assembly on the North West, the Dangme West District on the northern and eastern borders and the Gulf of Guinea (Atlantic Ocean) on the south. The metropolis covers an area of 356 km2 and lies within the coastal savannah zone (Ghanadistricts, 2012).
Tema is situated on the Greenwich meridian with 0o longitude passing through it and serves as the administrative capital of the Tema Metropolitan Assembly (TMA). It is home to the busiest harbor of the nation (the Tema Harbour) and has most of the country’s industries located there. This is largely due to the presence of the harbour and the availability of industrial lands and infrastructure. (Tema Metropolitan Assembly, 2006),
Tema is characterized by a dry equatorial climate. It is the driest part of southern Ghana with an annual rainfall of about 7 90 mm. Generally; temperatures are high all year round. The total population of the metropolis as of the year 2000 stood at
511,459 (Ghana Statistical Service, 2005). At a growth rate of 2.7%, the current population is estimated to be around
726,495.
Figure 1: Map of Tema, Ghana
OVERVIEW OF MUNICIPAL SOLID WASTE IN TEMA
The waste manage
การแปล กรุณารอสักครู่..