Analysis of plastic waste management in the Bolgatanga municipality

Abstract

The study was “analysis of plastic waste management in the Bolgatanga Municipality”. The objectives focused on plastic waste disposal practices, factors that accounted for poor plastic waste management, effects of poor plastic waste management and prospects for recycling plastic waste. The study employed a descriptive survey design through which all views were taken from residents, traders and staffs of waste management institutions. The researcher used participatory approach in order to have diverse views on the research topic. Other instruments used for the collection of the data were questionnaires, interviews, observations and still photographs. Notes and recordings were also considered. Views were sampled through a 16 item Likert - Type questionnaire from residents and traders and face-to-face interviews for residents, traders and staffs of waste management institutions. Also, data from documents on plastic waste management in the Bolgatanga Municipality were gathered for the study. Data was subjected to mean scores using themes and comments from questionnaires and interviews. The research recommended regular sensitization and education, adequate provision of skips, bins, tools, equipment, adequate funding, encouraging local entrepreneurs to go into plastic waste recycling and create conducive atmosphere to attract investors to invest in recycling schemes and factories. The study covers plastic waste management in the Bolgatanga Municipality only and so there is the need for further studies to cover other areas in order to cover categories of solid waste and in other Municipalities since plans are different; therefore the attitudes of the people may not be the same.