Municipal solid waste characterisation and quantification as a measure towards effective waste management in the Takoradi Sub-Metro (Ghana)
Loading...
Date
NOVEMBER 2015.
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
Waste collection and disposal is a challenge for many metropolitan and municipal
assemblies in Ghana and the Takoradi metropolis is no exception. Currently, all the
waste generated in Takoradi sub-metro ends up at the final disposal sites without any
recovery of the valuables in the waste. Waste separation efficiency and willingness to
separate waste at source, the physical composition and the per capita waste generated
per each household within the Takoradi metropolis were studied over a five week
period. Questionnaire survey and interviews with key stakeholders were also carried
out. The results show a solid waste composition of 60.01% biodegradables, 11.47%
plastic, 7.35% paper and cardboard, 2.38% metals, 1.51% glass, 1.22% leather and
rubber, 2.91% textiles, 8.04% inert materials and 4.98% miscellaneous materials.
Over 80% of the waste had the potential for reuse (potentially recyclable) and of the
usable material, 22.67% can be recycled and 63.64% for composting. The average per
capita waste generated was 0.70 kg/ca/day. The average moisture of biodegradables
waste was 54.99%. The data generated on the quantity and composition of the waste
stream in the metropolis would play a positive role in solid waste management and
help solid waste managers make informed decisions on waste management options.
Description
A thesis submitted to the Department of Theoretical and Applied Biology, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology
in partial fulfillment of the requirements
Master of Science degree in Environmental Science.