Determinants of the choice of disposal methods among residents in urban areas in Southern Ghana

ABSTRACT

The choice of household disposal methods continues to be an area of concern globally. Several pieces of research have been conducted to identify the determinants of the choice of disposal methods. Unfortunately, these pieces of research have not explored all the factors that can influence households’ choices of disposal methods. Premised on this, the paper contributes to existing literature by exploring the factors that influence households’ decision to adopt a particular solid waste disposal method. Using the Oforikrom Municipality, as a case study, the paper relies on household surveys and in-depth interviews with key informants from the relevant institutions. Field observations and spatial analysis were also conducted to gather further evidence. The study reveals that the factors that informed households’ decision to adopt particular disposal methods were educational levels, type and nature of dwelling unit, urbanized nature of the community, waste disposal facilities, and environmental concerns of the households. Other identified factors include household size, affordability, and convenience of the household. The study recommends that a key to success in terms of proper waste disposal among residents is to ensure the availability and accessibility of disposal facilities and the proper regulation of waste management organizations as well as disposal sites. These will contribute to minimizing the adverse effects of poor solid wastes disposal practices.

Implications: This article is intended to deepen the understanding of solid wastes disposal practices in urban areas and to contribute to literature on the factors that influence the choice of a particular disposal method among residents in these areas. Findings and recommendations from this research are intended to inform policy decisions on how to effectively improve solid waste management, specifically at the household level, in urban areas in Ghana, and beyond.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Data Availability Statement

The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author, [JKA], upon reasonable request. The data are not publicly available in compliance with the ethical procedures adopted for the research. All authors ensured that all data and materials are in support of this study and comply with the necessary field standards.

Ethics approval

All procedures performed in studies involving human participants were in accordance with the ethical standards of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology’s (KNUST’s) Policy on Ethical Review, August 2018 (KNUST Policy 0006). The Committee for Human Research Publications and Ethics approved the study.

Consent to participate

Informed consent was obtained from all individual participants included in the study.

Additional information

Funding

No funds, grants, or other support were received for conducting this study.

Notes on contributors

Jim Kaaranmwine Anbazu

Jim Kaaranmwine Anbazu A graduate assistant and a master of community planning student at the University of Cincinnati. Jim has a background in development planning and has engaged in research activities in diverse fields including urban planning, environmental planning, water and sanitation, and regional development planning.

Kafui Afi Ocloo

Kafui Afi Ocloo is currently a senior lecturer with the Planning Department at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Ghana. She has years of experience in the field of development planning and the management of development projects. Her fields of experience include endogenous development, per-urban development, regional development planning, institutional development, and water and sanitation.

Eric Oduro-Ofori

Eric Oduro-Ofori is currently a senior lecturer with the Department of Planning at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Ghana. He has a background in Development Planning and Management, Local Governance, and Local Economic Development. His fields of interest are primarily local governance, local economic development, and urban spatial development management.