Work

Engineering solutions for reducing open dumping and illegal waste disposal in Ghana

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: • Identifies drivers of illegal dumping through mixed-methods field research. • Proposes GIS and AI-based tools for smart waste monitoring and collection. • Introduces community-level composting and plastic-to-brick conversion models. • Highlights gaps in enforcement, affordability, and public awareness in Ghana. • Presents scalable, engineering-informed solutions tailored to urban West Africa. Rapid urbanization in Ghana has intensified the challenges associated with municipal solid waste management, particularly in relation to open dumping and illegal disposal practices. This study investigates the drivers, patterns, and spatial distribution of informal waste disposal across six municipalities, across Accra and Kumasi, using a mixed-methods approach that integrates household surveys (n = 600), key informant interviews, and machine learning-based route optimization. Results reveal that over 60 % of households resort to informal dumping due to limited-service coverage, high collection costs, and socio-cultural perceptions of waste. The waste stream is predominantly organic, with compostable materials accounting for over 70 % of total waste generated. Engineering-oriented interventions such as community-scale composting, AI-enhanced collection routing, and participatory monitoring using geolocation tools are proposed to address these systemic inefficiencies. The findings underscore the need for decentralized, context-sensitive, and technology-supported waste governance models. Policy recommendations are offered to align local practices with circular economy principles and improve environmental health outcomes.

Source: Waste Management Bulletin

DOI: 10.1016/j.wmb.2025.100265

Authors: Ilham Ku-nwa Hamid, Edna Korlekie Dapaah, Hamdala Hunsulu Hamid

Institution: Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology

Language: English

Topic: Municipal Solid Waste Management

Subfield: Waste Management and Disposal

Field: Environmental Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDGs: Sustainable cities and communities, Responsible consumption and production, Industry, innovation and infrastructure

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,050