CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of the Study

Wastes are all unwanted and economically unusable byproducts or residuals at any given
place and time, and any other matter that may be discarded accidentally or otherwise into
the environment (Gilpin, 1996).Waste management process is usually framed in terms of
generation; storage, treatment, and disposal, with transportation inserted between stages
as required (Baabereyir;2009). Therefore, a blend of source reduction, recycling,
incineration, and burring in landfills and conversion is currently the optional way to
manage domestic waste.
In our environment today, one of the most difficult problems we are facing is the issue of
waste management. Domestic waste management involves purposeful and systematic
control of the generation, storage, collection, handling, processing and disposal. The
waste management department (WMD) of the Agona Municipal Assembly is responsible
for waste collection and disposal and general sanitation with the assembly. Domestic
waste collection is not house collection , because of this, waste are spread all over the
Agona Municipality, this is due to the lack of

technical personnels, capacity of

machines and equipment and also lack of training for people in charge of waste and lastly
government support.

1.2 Problem Statement

Domestic waste management nowadays has become a worldwide issues where by
different organization such as consulting firms, non-governmental organizations, tertiary

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institutions, governmental agencies e.g. EPA etc. are trying their maximum best to find
solutions to it. The generation rate and the percentage composition of the waste which are
essential requirement in order to adequately estimate the quantity of waste in area and the
frequency of collection are not known. Still Agona Swedru is facing problem waste
management in it communities, it is the uncommon to see heaping and overflowing of
skips with waste in, especially in some areas. Also there are not enough skips machines,
equipment, tool, technical personnel, and also trained personnels.
Therefore, if the situation is left like that, it can result in the outbreak of diseases
associated to waste and this affect the people in the community exposed to this condition.
On this, the study intends to examine the problem discussed above in Agona Swedru in
the Agona Municipality.
1.3 Aims of the Study
The aim of the research is to find out factors affecting effective domestic waste
management in Agona Swedru and suggest achievable measures that can improve the
situation.
1.4 Research Objectives
To achieve the above aim, the following specific objectives were investigated.

To review relevant literature to establish what constitute solid waste.

To identify the domestic waste management (DWM) constraints factor affecting

the assembly.
To assess the waste treatment method adopted by the assembly.
To proffer measures that will improve the domestic waste management (DWM)

effort of the assembly.

1.5 Research Questions
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In order to achieve the purpose the research, the following guiding questions are
devised.
What constitutes waste?
What factors affect domestic waste management (DWM) effort of the
assembly?
What waste treatment method is adopted by the assembly?
1.6 Scope of the study
The study focused on domestic waste management. This is because about 90 per cent
of domestic in the municipal comes from houses or homes and markets.
Geographically, the study area covered Agona Swedru in the Agona Municipality
which can be located in central region. Agona Swedru shares boundaries with Agona
Asafo, Agona Mensahkrom, Gomoa Abosoh and Ekuwamkrom. Agona Swedru was
chosen because it is a growing town just like other towns in Accra and as such is facing
a bigger problem of managing its waste effectively.
CHAPTER TWO
REVIEW OF THE RELATED LITERATURE
2.1. Introduction
This chapter purposefully reviews literature on waste management as a conjectural
framework for the study. The first section addresses some basic concepts related to
waste management while the second part focuses on the urban/municipal solid waste
management problems in developing countries and causes of the problem.
2.2 Waste
The legal definition of waste can be found in section 75(2) of the Environmental
Protection Act 1990, but for these purposes waste is anything which you decide to, or
are required to, dispose of. This includes items that can be given to someone else or
recycled.
2.3 Domestic Waste
Domestic waste are waste arising principally from households but also includes refuse
and rubbish from schools and hospital, caravans sites and residential nursing homes,

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examples are glass, plastic, kitchen waste, clothing, light bulbs ,batteries, spray cans,
food cans. Etc. KA Russell (1997)
2.4.0 Types of domestic Waste
Waste is classified by where it originates from and the properties it contains. There are
a number of complicated legal definitions, but the general framework is as follows.
2.4.1 Biodegradable Waste
Biodegradable waste is a type of waste, typically originating from plant or animal
sources, which may be broken down by other living organisms. Waste that cannot be
broken down by other living organisms may be called non-biodegradable.
Biodegradable waste can be commonly found in municipal solid waste (sometimes
called biodegradable municipal waste, or BMW) as green waste, food waste, paper
waste, and biodegradable plastics. Other biodegradable wastes include human waste,
manure, sewage, slaughterhouse waste .Gbekor, A. (2003).

Domestic Waste

Management.
2.4.1 Inert Waste \Construction and Demolition(c & d) Waste
Inert Waste is that does not undergo any significant physical, chemical or
transformations 'as defined by the EU Landfill Directive (99/31/EEC),construction and
demolition waste (C&D waste) consists of unwanted material produced directly or
incidentally by the construction or demolition industries. This includes building
materials such as insulation, nails, electrical wiring, and rebar, as well as waste
originating from site preparation such as dredging materials, tree stumps, and rubble.
C&D waste may contain lead, asbestos, or other hazardous substances. Certain
components of C&D waste such as plasterboard are hazardous once land filled.
Plasterboard is broken down in landfill conditions releasing hydrogen sulfide, a toxic
gas. There is the potential to recycle many elements of C&D waste. Often roll-off
containers are used to transport the waste. Rubble can be crushed and reused in
construction projects. Waste wood can also be recovered and recycled. Government or
local authorities often make rules about how much waste should be sorted before it is
hauled away to landfills or other waste treatment facilities. Some hazardous materials
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may not be moved, or demolition begun, before the authorities have ascertained that
safety guidelines and restrictions have been followed. Among their concerns would be
the proper handling and disposal of such toxic elements as lead, asbestos or radioactive
Materials. World Bank/IBRD, (1999).
2.4.2Toxic(Hazardous)Waste
Toxic waste is waste material that can cause death or injury to living creatures. The
term is often used interchangeably with hazardous waste, or discarded material that
can pose a long-term risk to health or environment. As with most pollution problems,
toxic waste began to be a significant issue during the revolution. It usually is the
product of industry or commerce, but comes also from residential use (e.g. cleaning
products, cosmetics, and lawn care products), agriculture (e.g. chemical fertilizers,
pesticides), the military (nuclear weapons testing, chemical warfare, medical facilities
(e.g. pharmaceuticals), and radio. KA Russell (1997)
2. Domestic Waste Management
Domestic waste management is the collection, transporting, processing, recycling or
disposal of waste materials. Domestic waste also termed as municipal solid waste, also
called urban solid waste is a waste type that includes predominantly household waste,
with sometimes the addition of commercial wastes collected by a municipality within a
given area. They are in either solid or semisolid form and generally exclude industrial
hazardous wastes. The term residual waste relates to waste left from household sources
containing materials that have not been separated out or sent for reprocessing .The
term usually relates to human activity and is generally undertaken to reduce their effect
on health, aesthetics, or amenity. Domestic waste management is also carried out to
reduce the material effects on the environment and to recover resources from them.
Domestic waste can involve solid, liquid or gaseous substances with different methods
and fields expertise for each. Hard yet al. (2001)
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There are five broad categories of domestic waste:

Biodegradable waste food and kitchen waste, green waste, paper (can also be
recycled).
Recyclable material: paper, glass, bottles, cans, metals, certain plastics, etc.
Inert waste: construction and demolition waste, dirt, rocks, debris.
Composite wastes: waste clothing, Tetra Packs, waste plastics such as toys.
Domestic hazardous waste (also called "household hazardous waste") &toxic waste:
medication, e-waste, paints, chemicals, light bulbs, fluorescent tubes, spray cans,
fertilizer and pesticide containers, batteries, shoe polish.
The functional elements of domestic waste (municipal solid waste) are as follows:
1) Waste generation:
Waste generation encompasses activities in which materials are identified as no longer
being of value and are either thrown away or gathered together for disposal Encarta,
( 2007),Solid Waste Disposal.
2) Waste handling and separation, storage and processing at the source:
Waste handling and separation involves the activities associated with management of
waste until they are placed in storage container for collection. Handling also
encompasses the movement of loaded containers to the point of collection.
Separation of waste components is an important step in the handling and storage of
solid waste at the source (Solid Waste Disposal, Microsoft, Encarta 2007)
3) Collection: The functional element of collection includes not only the gathering of
solid waste and recyclable materials, but also the transport of these materials, after
collection, to the location where the collection vehicle is emptied. This location may be
materials processing facility, a transfer station or a landfill disposal site. (Asiedu,
2003).
4) Separation and processing and transformation of solid wastes:
The types of means and facilities that are now used for the recovery of waste materials
that have been separated at the source include curbside collection, drop off and buy
back centers. The separation and processing of wastes that have been separated at the

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source and the separation of commingled wastes usually occur at a materials recovery
facility, transfer stations, combustion facilities and disposal sites. (Asiedu, 2003).
5) Transfer and transport:
This element involves two steps:
i) The transfer of wastes from the smaller collection vehicle to the larger transport
equipment
ii) The subsequent transport of the wastes, usually over long distances, to a processing
or disposal site. (RWI Brachman, 2004)
6) Disposal:
Today the disposal of wastes by land filling or land spreading is the ultimate fate of all
solid wastes, whether they are residential wastes collected and transported directly to a
landfill site, residual materials from materials recovery facilities (MRFs), residue from
the combustion of solid waste, compost or other substances from various solid waste
processing facilities. A modern sanitary land is not a dump; it is an engineered facility
used for disposing of solid wastes on land without creating nuisances or hazards to
public health or safety, such as the breeding of rats and insects and the contamination
of ground water.(Solid Waste Disposal, Microsoft, Encarta 2007). Asiedu (2003)
further explains that Wastes are transferred from either the collection point or where
they are generated to the transfer station. The transportation can either be done by
vehicle or human effort.
2.6 Problems and Constraints in Domestic Waste Management
A typical domestic waste management system displays an arrangement of problems,
including low collection coverage and irregular collection services, crude open
dumping and burning without air and water pollution control, the breeding of flies and
vermin, and the handling without air control of informal wasted picking or scavenging
activities. These public health, environmental and material problem are caused by
various factors which constrain the development of effective domestic waste

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management systems. They can be categorized into Financial, Economic, Social,

Technical and Institutional constraints. Barton C.R. (1995)

2.6.1 Financial Constraint

In general, waste management is given a very low priority in expert perhaps in capitals
and cities. As a result, very limited finds are provided to the waste management sector
by the governments, and the levels of services required for production of public health
and the environments are not attained. The problem is acute at the local government
level where the local taxation system is in-adequately developed and therefore the
financial basis for public services, including domestic waste management is weak. This
weak financial basis of local government can be supplemented by the collection of user
service charges. However, users ability to pay for the services in very limited in poorer
developing countries and their willing uses to pay for the services which are irregular
and ineffective is not high either, an effective strategy for raising funds needs to be
searched in any collaborative project to ensure its sustainability. The lack of financial
management and planning particularly cost accounting available for the management
of domestic waste and this case the domestic waste management services of half in
performing the risks. (Barton C.R .1995)

2.6.2 Economic Constraints

Economic and industrial development plays key roles in domestic waste management.
Obviously, an enhanced economy enables more funds to be allocated for domestic
waste management providing more sustainable financial basis.
However, by definition, developing countries have weak economic bases and hence
insufficient funds for sustainable development of domestic waste management
systems. Also, waste recycled materials for instance; the recycling of waste paper is

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possible only when there is a paper mill within a distance for which a distance for the
transportation of recycling activities is a common constraint for the improvement of
domestic waste management. (Cointreau, 2001; Ogawa, 2002; Lohse, 2003)
2.6.3 Social Constraints
The social status of waste management work is generally low but more so, this owes
much too negative perception of people regarding the work which involves the
handling of waste or unwanted material such peoples perception leads to the
disrespect for the work and in turn produces low working ethics of laborers and prior
quality of their work. Because of insufficient resources available in the government
sector, collaborative scheme often have attempted to communicate self-help activities.
Results are a mixture with inactive communities usually do not provide people in the
community with economics as well as social incentives to participate in activities in
the social incentives is based on the responsibility of individuals as part of the
communities improvement and is created by public awareness and school education
about the important of proper domestic waste management for health and the wellbeing of the people severally restricts the use of community based approaches. At
dump sites, transportation and street refuse bins waste picking or scavenging activities
are common scenes. People involved have not received any school education,
vocational training to obtain knowledge and skills required for other jobs. They are
also affected by limited employment opportunity available in the formal sector. The
existence of waste picker/scavenger creates often an obstacle to the operation of
domestic waste collection and disposal services.
However, if organized properly, their activities can be effectively incorporated into a
waste recycling system, such as opportunistic approach is required for sustainable
development of waste management programs may provide its support to improve a
general disposal sites. However, the coverage of waste collection service is so low that

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waste generated is dumped at many undesignated sites (e.g. open areas, water
channels, streets etc.)
As a result, improving the disposal site, although it may not be a bad task it would
have little impact on the overall waste management effectiveness. In such a case, the
low collection coverage is a bottleneck in the overall waste management system in the
city or town and it would be most cost effective to provide resources to upgrade the
collection service. Research and development activities in waste management are often
a low priority. The lack of research and development activities leads to the selection of
inappropriate technology interims of local climatic and physical conditions, financial
and human resource capabilities and social or cultures accept abilities. As a result, the
technology selected can never be used, wasting the resources spent and making the
development unsustainable. Several guider/ manuals on appropriate waste management
technologies in developing countries are available in literate and the selection of
technology could be made sometimes based on these guides/manuals. However, in
most cased, these guides/manuals must be modified to the local conditions prevailing
in the cities, towns, region and the countries as a whole and therefore local studies are
normally needed such studies can be relatively easily incorporated into collaborative
scheme and to the extent possible, should involve local research institutions. (Barton
CR 1995)
2.6.4 Technological constraints
The technologies employed in municipal solid waste management in most developing
countries are also said to be inappropriate and inadequate. Zurbrugg (2002) has
observed that adoption of the conventional waste collection vehicles used in rich
countries constrain solid waste management operations in developing countries. Apart
from the high acquisition and maintenance costs involved, developing countries
actually lack the engineering capacity to support the operation and maintenance of
such sophisticated equipment like compactors and skip lifts. Yet, this is the equipment
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usually employed by municipal authorities and private sector waste contractors in

many poor countries (Armah, 1993; Achankeng, 2003).
Besides, the high cost of new equipment compels many poor country municipal
governments to import used equipment from western countries. Such vehicles arrive
already near the end of their useful life and so frequently require repairs due to
breakdowns. In the absence of spare parts and the required engineering skills to
maintain the trucks, only a small part of the fleet usually remains in operation after a
short period of their use (Achankeng, 2003).
In Tanzania, Kironde (1999) found that shortage of equipment was a major problem
facing the waste disposal operations of the Dares Salaam City Council.
In Uganda, the waste management department in the capital city, Kampala, was said to
lack basic equipment like trucks for waste collection and equipment for maintenance
of disposal sites (Namilyango College, 2001).
Besides the shortage of suitable equipment, the poor spatial organization of many
developing country cities, characterized by unplanned housing developments, poor
road quality and poor access within settlements does not support use of the large and
heavy western type waste collection vehicles (Armah, 1993). Usually, the large waste
trucks cannot gain access to many unplanned residential areas due to poor roads
Hurdoyet, (2001). There is, therefore, the need to design and manufacture appropriate
but inexpensive waste management equipment that is suitable for the conditions in
developing countries. This calls for research into waste management technologies that
will suit local conditions.
2.6.5 Institutional Constraints
Several agencies at the national level are usually involved at least partially in often no
clear roles/functions of the various national agencies defined in relation to solid waste
management and also no single agency on committee designed to coordinate their
projects and activities the lack of coordination among the relevant agencies becoming

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the national counterpart to different external support agencies for different solid waste
management collaborative project without being aware of what other national agencies
are doing. This leads to duplication of resources and unsustainability of overall solid
waste management programs. The lack of effective legislation for waste management
is partially responsible for the roles/functions of the relevant national agencies not
being clearly defined and the lack of coordination among them. Legislation related to
waste management is usually fragmented and several laws (e.g. Public Health Act,
Local Government Act Environmental Protection. Act etc.). Include some clauses on
rules/regulations regarding waste management. The rules and regulations are enforced
by the different agencies. However, there are often duplication of responsibilities of the
agencies involved and gaps/missing elements is the regulatory provisions for the
development of effective waste management systems. It should be also noted that
legislation is only effective if it is enforced. Therefore, comprehensive legislation,
which avoids the duplication of responsibilities fills in the gaps of importance
regulatory functions and is enforceable, is required for sustainable development of
waste management systems. Because of low priority given to the sector, the
institutional capacity of local government agencies involved in waste management is
generally weak, particularly in small cities, and towns local ordinance/by laws on
waste management is not also well developed these. According to UN-Habitat (1989),
it is characteristic of developing countries to have several agencies involved in the
delivery of solid waste and other municipal services. Furthermore, Ogawa (2002) has
observed that there are often no clear roles or functions of the various agencies
involved in urban environmental management. At the same time, no single agency is
usually designated to coordinate the activities of waste sector agencies (Armah, 1993;
Attahi, 1999). Ogawa (2002) has, therefore, observed that the lack of coordination

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among the relevant urban sector agencies often results in different agencies duplicating
one function. In the case of externally supported solid waste management projects, it is
common for different agencies within the same country or city to act as counterparts of
external support agencies for different waste management projects without any
collaboration of efforts Ogawa, ( 2002).
Weak local government institutions are not provided with clear mandate and sufficient
resource to fulfill the mandates. In large metropolitan areas where there is more than
one local government, coordination among the local government is critical to achieve
the most effective alternatives for waste management in the area. For instance, the
sitting of waste transfer station or disposal facility for use by more than one local
government is cost effective due to its economic of scale. However as these facilities
are usually considered unwanted installations and create not in my backyard
syndromes among the residents, no local government is willing to locate them within
its boundary the lack of coordinating body among the local government often leads to
disintegration and unsustainable programs for waste management. Barton C.R. (1995).

2.7 Waste Treatment Methods

2.7.1 Land filling
A landfill, also known as a dump (and historically as a midden), is a site for the
disposal of waste materials by burial and is the oldest form of waste treatment.
Historically, landfills have been the most common methods of organized waste
disposal and remain so in many places around the world. Landfills may include
internal waste disposal sites (where a producer of waste carries out their own waste
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disposal at the place of production) as well as sites used by many producers. Many
landfills are also used for other waste management purposes, such as the temporary
storage, consolidation and transfer, or processing of waste material (sorting, treatment,
or recycling).A landfill also may refer to ground that has been filled in with soil and
rocks instead of waste materials, so that it can be used for a specific purpose, such as
for building houses. Unless they are stabilized, these areas may experience severe
shaking or liquefaction of the ground in a large earthquake. (Rush brook and Right,
199 and Solid Waste Disposal, Encarta (2007).
2.7.2 Incineration
This is a disposal method that involves combustion of waste material .incineration and
other high temperature waste treatment systems are sometimes described as thermal
treatment incineration is carried out both on a small scale by individuals and on large
scale industry by the use of incinerators which converts waste materials into gas ,heat,
steam and ash. It is used to dispose off solid, liquid and gaseous waste. It is recognized
as a practical method of disposing off certain hazardous waste materials (such as
biological medical waste) incineration is a controversial method of waste disposal due
to issues such as emission of gaseous pollutants. CR Dempsey, (1993)
2.7.3 Composting
Another method of treating municipal waste is compositing a biological process in
which organic portion of refuse is allowed to decompose under careful controlled
conditions microbes metabolize the organic waste material reduce it volume .the
stabilized product is called compost or humus, it resembles potting soil in the texture
and or dour and may be used as a soil condition or mulch. Compositing offers a
method of processing and recycling both garbage and sewage sludge in one operation
J.B. feuch (2002)
2.7.4 Recycling Methods

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Recycling involves processing used materials into new products in order to prevent
waste of potentially useful materials, reduce the consumption of fresh raw materials,
reduce energy usage, reduce air pollution (from incineration) and water pollution (from
land filling) by reducing the need for "conventional" waste disposal, and lower
considered recycling.( Ohio EPA Takes New Approach To Regulate Waste Disposal)
Materials to be recycled are either brought to a collection center or picked up from the
curbside, then sorted, cleaned, and reprocessed into new materials bound for
manufacturing. In a strict sense, recycling of a material would produce a fresh
greenhouse gas emission as compared to virgin production. (Environmental Impact
Assessment, p21) Recycling is a key component of modern waste management and is
the third component of the "Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle" waste hierarchy. Recyclable
materials include many kinds of glass, paper, metal, plastic, textiles, and electronics.
Although similar in effect, the composting or other reuse of biodegradable waste
such as food or garden waste is not typically. (C.R. Wilson and J.B. feuch)

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CHAPTER THREE
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
3.1

Introduction

This chapter deals with the mean and procedures the researcher used for the study. It is
alienated into the sections as follows: data collection, the population for the study, sampling
measures, research instruments.
3.2

Data Collection

After watchfully considering the research questions, the nature of the data needed for the
analysis and the existing conditions on the research field, it became clear that the best way to
collect adequate data for the research would be a random sampling method. This is because
some of the data required were randomly selected in nature and could best be obtained
through questionnaires. The study, therefore, employed semi-structured questionnaires.
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3.3. Population
The population covers all inhabitants in Agona Swedru which is 68,216. All these inhabitants
are involved in some portion of waste management hundred (100) houses of the town were
regarded as the study population for this research.
3.4

Sample and Sampling Procedure

A sample is a subset of the population and

consists of individuals, objects or event that

forms the population. There are two types of sample selection procedure; random sampling
and random sampling. The researcher used simple random sampling in his research which is
under random sampling.

3.5 Simple random sampling

In this method sample units are drawn directly from the population by some procedure which
designed to the essential criterion of randomness. This method give all elements in the
population an equal chance of been selected from the population.

3.6 Research Instrument

Questionnaires were the main research instrument used by the researcher to obtain the filled
data from sample size; coupled with interview and observation.
i

Questionnaire
The questionnaires were administered to residents in the various selected areas in
Agona Swedru. The types of questionnaires designed were collective, closed and
open questionnaire.

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CHAPTER FOUR
DATA ANALYSES AND DISCUSSION
4.1. Introduction
This chapter analyses the data collected from the study areas on the following issues:
constitutes of waste, factors affecting domestic waste management (DWM) effort of the
assembly and waste treatment method adopted by the assembly.
4.2 Data from the Field Survey
In all, Hundred (100) questionnaires were distributed to residents of some selected areas in
Agona Swedru concerning waste management and out of that, eighty (80) questionnaires
were received from the respondents representing 80 percent (as shown in table below)

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Total number of

Total number of

Total number of

questionnaires sent out

100

questionnaires received
80

questionnaires (%)
80%

Therefore, the respond rate of the questionnaires was 80%

Data were collected on the following issues:

Constitutes of waste in the area.

Factors affecting domestic waste management (DWM) effort of the assembly.
Waste treatment method adopted by the assembly.
These are discussed in the sub- sections below.

4.2.1 Types and Constitutes of Solid Waste Generated in the Area

Knowledge on types and constitutes of solid waste generated inform management to use the
appropriate method to effectively manage the various components of waste. Methods such as
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source separation, recycling, composting is used depending on the component of waste in the
waste stream. Fig. 4.1 illustrates the Types and constitutes of waste generated by respondents
in Agona Swedru.

15%

60%

25%

Figure 4.1 shows that, plastics/rubbers waste constituted 60% of solid waste generated in
Agona Swedru, paper/cards waste constituted 25% and the least component of waste
generated was organic waste. This means that a lot of food staffs were found wasted at Agona
Swedru. The figure further clarifies that a lot of polythene bags were seen littered in most of
the selected areas such as Maahodwe, Pipe tank, Enyaabamu and Odaa Kwan ano. These
areas mentioned are market areas and usually busy.

4.2.2. Disposal Sites of Household Solid Waste

The disposal of household solid waste is one of the functional elements in the management of
waste and sites on which wastes are disposed are also to be considered. Fig. 4.3 illustrates the
methods of disposal of waste by respondents in Agona Swedru.

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Fig. 4.2: Disposal Sites of Household Solid Waste

5.5

9.6

36.8
20.2

open space
nearby gutter
skip

28

dump site
backyard

From Fig. 4.2, the commonest place of waste disposal was the open space (36.8 per cent).
This implies that, most people in the study area dump their waste at unapproved site and it of
no doubt that waste are seen at most areas of the study area. This is followed by disposal of
waste at dump site (28 per cent). This method of waste disposal also happened in the low
class residential areas. This method resulted in heaping of waste of which if it is not treated, it
will enter the street and thereby makes the environment dirty. The next highest method waste
disposal was the skip (20.2 per cent). This shows that there are not enough skips area due to
that wastes are scattered in the area.

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4.2.3 Waste Collection

Waste management embraces waste collection. Fig. 4.3 displays the mode of collection of
solid waste in Agona Swedru.

Fig. 4.3: Mode of waste Collection

15%

communal

door to door

3rd Qtr

4th Qtr

85%

.
As shown in Fig. 4.3, there were two modes of waste collection in Agona Swedru. These are:
door to door (primary waste collection) and communal dumpsites (secondary waste
collection).
4.2.3.1 Primary Waste Collection
From the survey, 14.8% of the respondents indicated that, waste was collected directly from
their yards (door-to-door). This is show in Fig.4.3. The door-to-door mode of waste collection
is carried out mainly in residential areas such as Pipe tank, Enyaabamu and Odaa Kwan ano.
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4.2.3.2 Secondary Waste Collection

Fig. 4.3 shows that, the main mode of waste collection in was communal (80.4%). This was
carried out mainly in most of the residential areas of the study area.

4.2.4. Regularity of Waste Collection

Regular collection is an important exercise in solid waste management. Fig. 4.3 illustrates
generally, the number of times waste was collected per week in Swedru.

30%
43%
strongly agree
disagree
27%

strongly disagree

Fig. 4.4 31% of the respondent indicated that waste was collected frequently and 27.1% of
the respondent also indicated that waste was not collected frequently and also 42.8% of the
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respondents strongly disagreed that waste was not frequently collected. Waste must be
collected four times a week that is the required number of times waste should collected in a
week according to Puopiel, 2010. From the figures indicated, from respondents this shows
that because waste was not collected frequently, this brought about overflowing of skips,
heaping of waste in dumping sites and scattering of waste in the study areas.

Constraint factors facing by the Assembly

There were some factors that assembly was facing or which were affecting the assembly
making them unable to manage waste proper. These include inadequate dustbins to be given
every in the assembly, lack of trained personnels, lack of final disposal areas and inadequate
vehicles for picking filled skips and dustbins waste.

4.3. Summary of Findings

The summary of findings from the analyses and discussion are as follows:

Types and Components of Waste

The major type of solid waste generated in Agona Swedru includes plastics/rubbers
constituted 60%, paper/cards waste constituted 25% and least was organic which constituted
15%.This means that the type of waste mostly generated was solid waste; example was
polythene bags which were used for packaging food items at the study areas.

Mode of Collection Household Waste

The commonest mode of waste collection was the communal mode. This implies that, waste
was collected communally (85.2%) in the study area and few people were able to afford door
to door (14.8%). it of no doubt that waste are seen at most areas of the study area.

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Disposal Sites of Household Solid Waste

The commonest place of waste disposal was the open space (36.8 per cent). This implies that,
most people in the study area dump their waste at unapproved site and it of no doubt that
waste are seen at most areas of the study area. This is followed by disposal of waste at dump
site (28 per cent). The next highest method of waste disposal was the skip (20.2 per cent).

Regular in Collection

There was irregular or lack of routine collection of waste by the waste management unit in
the study area, Agona Swedru. Waste collection was mostly carried out not frequently. This
resulted in overflowing of skips, heaping of waste in dumping sites and scattering of waste in
the study areas.

Constraint factors facing by the Assembly

There were some factors that assembly was facing or which were affecting the assembly
making them unable to manage waste proper. These include inadequate dustbins to be given
every in the assembly, lack of trained personnels, lack of final disposal areas and inadequate
vehicles for picking filled skips and dustbins waste.

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CHAPTER FIVE
CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS
5.1 Introduction
This chapter draws conclusions on the main essential factors affecting waste management in
Agona Swedru with respect to the objectives of the study and recommend possible measures
to tackle the problem.

5.2 Conclusion
In the study, the following objectives were set to be achieved. The first objective was to
review relevant literature to establish what constitute waste in Agona Swedru. Therefore, the
survey established that the types of waste were food waste, rubbish and ashes with plastic
being the major component. The second objective was to examine means of waste disposal by
households (place of disposal). The survey revealed that the communal place of waste
disposal in Agona Swedru was the open space. However, this was not the right way. Thirdly,
the research pursues to analyze the mode and frequency of waste collection in Agona Swedru
and the commonest mode of waste collection are communal. On the other hand, the collection
was not often done.
Therefore, all the objectives set were achieved and with regard to the main objective of the
study it can be concluded that the following are indeed the key factors affecting effective
waste management in Agona Swedru. These include:

Insufficient skip supply for storing waste and

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Absence of routine collection of waste.

Poor mode of collection of waste

5.3 Recommendations
Based on the findings of the study, the following measures are recommended for efficient and
effective management of waste in Agona Swedru. These are discussed below.

5.3.1 Provision of adequate Skips and Dustbins

Adequate skips should be delivered by the waste management institutions for residents in
Agona Swedru the for waste storage to avoid dumping of waste in open spaces, in open,
gutters, roadside and unapproved sites. With this, residents in Agona Swedru will find it easy
to dispose off their domestic waste at the skip site.
5.3.2 Regular Collection of Waste
There should be regular of waste collection by the waste management unit particularly in
areas like Pipe tank, Enyaabamu and Odaa Kwan ano.To avoid heaping of waste and over
flowing of skips with solid waste. Waste should be collected four times a week or at least
thrice a week in the area as suggested by Puppiel, 2010. There should be regular monitoring
of waste collection by the Municipal Assembly. This will keep the place constantly clean and
prevent any possible outbreak of communicable diseases such as cholera and typhoid.

5.3.3 Use of Integrated Solid Waste Management Model

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The Integrated Solid Waste Management (ISWM) should be adopted to ensure effective solid
waste management in the area. Residents should be encouraged by waste management
institution to separate the waste generated into their various components before final disposal.
Waste can be disaggregated into plastic, metals, wood, cans, bottles and food waste. In this
case rubber cans, bottles, metals can be reused; plastics like polythene bags and empty water
sachets can also be recycled. The rest like food waste can be composted for manure,
incinerate those that are combustible and landfilled those that cannot be subjected to any of
the above mentioned methods. If the above recommendations given are well taken and
implemented, it will bring about effective solid waste management that would contribute to a
clean environment in Agona Swedru.
5.3.4 Effectively Using the Door to Door Mode of Waste Collection
The other mode of waste collection which is the door-to-door must be used effectively in
order to able residents dispose their waste right in front of their houses to avoid spread of
waste in the town due to the use of the communal mode.

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