Socio-environmental responses to solid waste management in urban areas: the case of Atonsu suburban in Kumasi Metropolis, Ghana

摘要

In urban Ghana, solid waste problem has been worsened by the increasing rate of urbanisation and the alteration of urban consumption pattern towards packaging, which tends to produce large amounts of solid waste. This paper examines the social and environmental responses to solid waste management of urban dwellers in Atonsu in Ghana. Mixed method was employed for the study. A total of 115 questionnaires were administered to households in Atonsu. Two interviews were conducted with waste management entities. The study revealed that pay-as-you-dump policy, and paying for house-to-house collection and disposal of solid waste are the main socio-environmental responses to solid waste management in Atonsu. However, the correlation between income levels and amount paid for waste disposal is statistically weak; implying that amount paid for waste disposal may not necessarily depend on income levels of respondents. The paper concludes that public education on reduction; reuse and recycling of solid waste are essential.