Sustainable Pathway for Closing Solid Waste Data Gaps: Implications for Modernization Strategies and Resilient Cities in Developing Countries

Abstract

This chapter addresses three peculiar challenges in the solid waste management system of developing countries, namely: the chronic lack of reliable data for planning purposes, the absence of participatory engagement strategies in data gathering for wider ownership and usage, and the lack of monitoring of the climate change burden of existing waste disposal practices. A team of researchers has collaborated with system managers and a responsible philanthropic organization to engage key stakeholders to address these gaps in a sustainable manner. The strategy deployed has been to work in a participatory and evidenced-based frame to solicit support, enhance capacities, empower each other to understand the problems and find for ourselves the practical routes by which solid waste data gaps can be closed in the greater Accra region of Ghana. Stakeholders have participated in a comprehensive waste audit and landfill emission monitoring exercise to develop a baseline, and have used local resources and ideas to recommend steps to sustain reliable data flows and the development of a climate action plan for purposes of modernization. The methodological processes and research outcomes suggest that structural collaboration between researchers and system stakeholders is necessary to break the vicious circle of chronic data gaps and substitute virtuous circles of reliable data for planning purposes.

Assessment of Belief Constructs to Support an Intervention in Municipal Solid Waste Separation at the Source in Low–Middle-Income Countries: Observations from the Greater Accra Region of Ghana

“…The basin's 3.2 million inhabitants represent 63% of the total inhabitants of the region [65]. The average MSW generation rate per capita per day is 0.7 kg, with a composition of 54% biodegradables, 16% plastics, 13% inert materials, 3.7% glass, 3.2% textiles, 2% paper, and 2% metals [16]. The basin was selected for the study because of the commitment of the government of Ghana to reducing its flood risk and improving its solid waste management system [66].…”

“…Nevertheless, the rising rate of urbanisation and scarcity in urban land space, coupled with rising MSW generation rates and increasing biodegradable and recyclable waste streams [15][16][17], are triggering a new and growing interest amongst researchers, policymakers, and funding institutions to work together towards the attainment of functional solid waste management (SWM) systems in developing countries [18], with a particular emphasis on waste diversion from landfills. Those charged with MSWM have a new impetus to divert decision making towards the separation of MSW at the source for environmentally friendly valorisation and recycling purposes [8,19,20].…”

Waste Management Workers’ Safety Concerns during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Ghana

“…For example, government agencies, hospitals, and schools tend to dispose plastic materials whereas restaurants, hotels, and banks mainly dispose organic waste. The waste generated by the public market consists of organic materials (56.27%), plastics (13.59%), textiles (13.17%), and paper (8.75%) [18]. Some of the impacts Accra residents experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic include limited recovery and relief and food insecurity.…”

“…Before the onset of the pandemic, Ghana and many other developing countries had already faced difficulties in managing the growing volume of solid waste without advanced waste treatment facilities and proper personal protection equipment, among others [23]. Considering this 11 (18) situation, we first asked the respondents whether they were concerned about the on-going pandemic in conducting their works. In response, 58% of the respondents answered yes.…”

Informal recycling sector contribution to plastic pollution mitigation: A systematic scoping review and quantitative analysis of prevalence and productivity

“…The transformative change required to support and integrate the activities of the IRS will require knowledge of the sector's activities (Gutberlet, 2023;Kwaku and Abraham, 2020). Policy-makers will need to establish how many people work in the sector and how much material they collect to assess the case for funding integration and support (Velis et al, 2022).…”