Analysis of Institutional Solid Waste Management Practices: Insights From Two Ghanaian Universities

Abstract

Academic institutions produce solid wastes which are not disposed off effectively or economically. The result is littering and accumulation of garbage which cause pollution. This study examined solid waste generation and management practices in public and private institutions. To achieve the above objective, waste audit was carried out over a period of three weeks. Waste management practices of the institutions were also examined through the assessment of the institutional arrangement. Additionally, questionnaires about attitudes and perceptions of current solid waste management were administered. The study established that during the 2012/2013 academic year, the University of Ghana (UG) generated 488.3 tons of solid waste from academic and administrative units of which 46% contained paper while the Central University College (CUC) generated 27.2 tons of solid waste in academic and administrative units of which 52% was made up of paper. The study therefore revealed that even though both institutions recycle used examination papers, daily paper waste generated are not recycled. UG spend GH¢193,440 to throw away GH¢29,298 value of recyclable waste paper annually while CUC spends GH¢142,776 to throw away GH¢1,632 yearly. A number of barriers to effective waste management were identified, including: lack of knowledge and awareness of proper disposal practices, political commitment and inadequacy of legislation and enforcement of laws/regulations. In order for the institutions to effectively manage the solid waste, management should incorporate source separation of waste in their institutional planning.