ASSESSING ‘3RS’ MODEL IN RELATION TO MUNICIPAL SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT IN WA, GHANA

Abstract

Solid wastes are generated by human activities; the unavoidable outcomes of domestic and/or industrial production; and, exerting physical, social, economic and political effects on all sectors of society. The problem has to do with the quantum of solid waste generated and effective ways of management; while, the solution lies in the laid down policy or conceptual framework, configured as ‘3Rs’ or ‘RRR’, that is, ‘reduce, reuse and recycle’; in which, responsibility is spread across the individual, household members, production firms, municipal authorities and the private sector. The present paper assesses implementation of the ‘3Rs’ policy directive in a deprived municipality in Ghana and draw on useful lessons for other municipalities exhibiting similar conditions. A little over eight years on since implementation started in 2006, individuals and households continue to handle solid waste as usual, the municipality has relinquished 80% of management responsibility to a private sector player; there are no pragmatic efforts to directly reduce the volume of solid waste; reuse and recycling are limited to collection of scrap metals and plastics. Sustainable development goals being drafted would have to consider north-south partnership, city management skills and technology transfer, if solid wastes are to be managed effectively in the emerging municipalities in Africa. Also, sister-city collaboration opens another avenue for assistance to the cities in the developing countries. The paper further concludes that, the ‘3Rs’ model is a useful strategy for efficient and effective management of solid waste because it adheres to the tenets of achieving sustainable environment.