Recycling of agricultural and municipal solid wastes in Ghana: Challenges, threats and opportunities

Abstract

Developing countries are saddled with widespread pollution from poorly managed organic waste due to several factors including technical, budgetary and infrastructural deficit to manage these wastes. Yet, the waste burden in these countries is anticipated to double by the next decade, if nothing appreciable is done. The implication for public health and the environment is enormous as poor waste management practices may cause an outbreak of communicable diseases, pollute surface and ground waters, and cause flooding and other environmental problems. The organic fraction of the waste stream in Ghana is huge and this offers the greatest opportunity to recycle to products such as compost and biochar that can be used for horticultural and landscaping purposes to generate some revenue to manage these facilities. This chapter reviewed the dynamics of solid wastes generation, and its management in Ghana, and analyzed the opportunities, challenges and threats of managing organic wastes and other fractions, from policy, technological and institutional perspectives. The lessons drawn are of importance to other developing countries in Sub-Saharan Africa. © 2015 by Nova Science Publishers, Inc. All rights reserved.