Municipal Solid Waste Disposal Operational Performance in Wa Municipality, Ghana

Abstract

Background. The generation and management of solid waste pose potential adverse impacts on human health and the environment. Objective. The present study examines the operational performance of municipal solid waste (MSW) disposal in the Wa Municipality, Ghana. Methods. The study applied both qualitative and quantitative research methods and modelled the Wa Municipality's MSW disposal system using the municipal solid waste decision support tool (MSW DST). Acid gases (sulphur oxides and nitrogen oxides) and total particulate matter that have a direct impact on human health were set as the objective functions for modelling five MSW disposal scenarios. The modelled scenarios were: 1) landfill disposal only; 2) composting and landfill disposal; 3) composting, incineration, refuse derived fuels (RDF) and landfill disposal; 4) separation, composting, incineration, RDF and landfill disposal; and 5) separation, transfer, material recovery, composting, incineration, RDF and landfill disposal. The pollutants chosen as indicators for substance flow analysis included lead, cadmium, arsenic, mercury, copper, chromium, and zinc. Results. Scenarios 4 and 5 produced the least engineering cost of 1 150 000 US $/year for the entire MSW disposal system, whereas scenario 2 produced the highest cost of 1 340 000 US $/year. Scenario 5 produced the least average health impacts of −5.812E-04 lbs/year, while scenario 2 generated the highest engineering cost and produced the highest average health impact of 9.358E-05 lbs/year. Scenarios 5 and 4, which included waste-to-energy conversion in the systems, produced the lowest average health impacts (−5.812E-04 lbs/year and −5.611E-04 lbs/year, respectively). Conclusions. The adoption of an integrated solid waste management concept, including waste-to-energy technologies, will not only help to lessen MSW disposal hazards, but also to produce alternative sources of energy for Ghana and other developing countries. Competing Interests. The authors declare no competing financial interests

Characterization of Municipal Solid Waste and Assessment of Its Potential for Refuse-Derived Fuel (RDF) Valorization

“…The study recommended mechanical biological treatment (MBT) primarily because it can separate the organic component of MSW from the inorganic component with the possibility of obtaining non-biodegradable resources for other purposes. Using the MSW decision support tool, Brown et al [20] assessed the performance of municipal solid waste disposal operations in one of Ghana's municipalities, Wa. The study recommended an integrated system consisting of separation, composting, incineration and RDF to landfill disposal within the municipality since it had a lesser impact on health.…”

Assessing the Compliance of a Coastal Municipality to the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000 (RA 9003)

“…Studies proved that the lack of access to waste collection services, inadequate bins [40][41], nonoperation of disposal facilities [9], and insufficient technical capacity to handle and dispose of wastes by SWM personnel [41] encourage improper waste practices among waste generators. Maintaining the quality, frequency, and regularity of waste collection [42] and widening the collection coverage by including the remote places in the provision [43] are needed to achieve good solid waste management at the community level.…”

“…Sumalde [45] found that implementing SWM is very costly for LGUs. Lack of financial resources affects the municipality's ability to manage waste effectively [41,46]. The LGUs need the financial support they require for the complete and satisfying delivery of the service of the government in their action toward SWM [6].…”

Municipal Solid Waste Management Practices and Challenges in the Southeastern Coastal Cities of Sri Lanka

“…The key objectives of sustainable MSWM are to constantly improve the urban living environment, increase economic productivity, advance direct public health benefits, and facilitate safe, dignified and secure employment opportunities [8]. An integrated MSWM system consists of the key processes from the point of waste generation to final waste disposal including: 1. waste identification, 2. handling the waste at source, 3. separation and storage at the source, 4. collection from the source of generation, and 5. transfer or transport for final process of disposal/recycle/recovery [9,10].…”