Assessing the solid waste management practices in some selected Senior High Schools in the Adansi North District of Ghana

Abstract

This study examines the level of awareness of solid waste storage and collection methods, the understanding of environmental and health impacts resulting from improper solid waste management practices, and the sources of information on solid waste management among students in selected senior high schools in the Adansi North District of Ghana. A descriptive quantitative research design was employed, targeting 900 students from three senior high schools. The sample size consisted of 277 students selected through stratified, convenience, and simple random sampling techniques. Data was collected using a structured questionnaire, achieving a response rate of 96.8%. The findings reveal that most students (40.3%) reported that their school primarily utilizes landfilling for solid waste management, followed by incineration (26.9%) and composting (8.6%). Although 76.5% of students reported the presence of designated areas for solid waste storage on their school's campus, only 10.1% reported regular waste collection services, and a mere 6.0% reported any school-wide campaigns or initiatives promoting sustainable waste management practices. Additionally, 65.3% of students were uncertain about the school's level of involvement in waste management, and 78.0% were unsure about the overall effectiveness of their school's waste management practices. Regarding awareness of environmental and health effects resulting from improper waste management practices, students displayed a moderate level of awareness. They recognized that improper waste management leads to environmental pollution (mean = 4.36) and health problems for local communities (mean = 3.51), but displayed relatively low agreement on the impact on wildlife and their habitats (mean = 2.69). Students exhibited a moderate level of awareness that recycling and composting can mitigate negative impacts (mean = 3.08), while perceiving improper waste management as a global issue requiring international cooperation received the lowest level of agreement (mean = 2.13). The study also found that the majority of students (65.3%) were not involved in waste management practices, and only 6.0% were aware of any schoolwide campaigns or initiatives promoting sustainable waste management. These findings emphasize the need for increased student engagement and awareness in waste management practices within the school community. The study recommends that policymakers, educators, and local authorities in the Adansi North District take necessary steps to improve waste management practices in schools and raise environmental awareness among students. While the study provides valuable insights, it has several limitations.