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This study investigates the factors that influence households' willingness to comply with municipal solid waste (MSW) management regulations in the Kumasi Metropolis of Ghana. Data from a survey conducted in 400 households in Kumasi were analyzed using descriptive statistics and a binomial logistic regression model. The study found that households' willingness to comply with MSW management regulations is influenced by education, employment, income, monthly expenditure on MSW management, familiarity with MSW management regulations and regulation benefit expectations (P<0.05). The city authorities should educate households on the benefits they stand to gain from their strict compliance with MSW management regulations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The challenge of solid waste management has been subjected to a variety of reactions and interpretations: strange mixtures of neglect and misconceptions of what could be the way forward. Over the years, Ghanaian authorities have problematized issues of waste management to collection and transportation and have shied away from formulating policies that can limit conflicts in waste sink communities. This article examines how a landfill infrastructure in Kumasi has engendered conflicts. Triggers of the conflicts and key actors involved are examined using data generated from a questionnaire survey of 160 households obtained through the quadrant method. The results show that three actors are involved in the conflicts: the chiefs and residents on one side and municipal authorities on the other. While the chiefs accuse municipal authorities of illegally acquiring the landfill site and of non-compensation payment, concerns of community members are their alienation from site management as enjoined by law. They also argue that the facility has degraded the environment and divested the local economy. The paper concludes that context and situation are significant for how, where and to what degree solid waste is disposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Municipal solid waste constitutes significant quantities of waste generated in markets. Markets produce substantial quantities of fruit and vegetable waste, a source of nuisance in landfills. In Ghana, market waste (MW) appears to be unexplored and has limited data available. The need for MW valorization in the face of a circular economy requires reliable knowledge of MW properties. The study determined the waste compositions of selected major markets from two different classes of settlement in Kumasi and the seasonal effect on the compositions. The chemical properties of organics were determined via proximate and ultimate analyses and the theoretical biomethane potential, with the Buswell equation. From the results, MW composition in the wet season is 59.6% organic, 11.4% plastics, 8.3% paper, 5.3% textiles, 4.7% inert, 4.1% miscellaneous, 2.1% metal, 1.8% glass and 2.8% leather. The dry season values are 45.8% organic, 14.6% plastics, 12.7% paper, 7.3% textiles, 6.4% inert, 4.3% miscellaneous, 2.3% metal, 2.6% glass and 3.9% leather. An ANOVA indicates significant differences between the two seasons and some waste components; organics, plastics, paper and cardboard, leather, and inert. The high calorific values recorded ranged from 14.8 MJ kg−1 to 16.6 MJ kg−1. The biogas potential and biomethane content ranged from 775.3 l/kgVS to 828.9 L/kgVS and 50% to 57% respectively. Implications: Market waste (MW) in Ghana appears to be an unchartered area and there is limited data on market generation and composition. The need for MW valorization requires reliable knowledge on MW properties. This study explores MW characteristics of six major market from two different classes of settlements in a developing country. Study findings suggest that the quantities of market organics are higher than household waste. Again, MW composition can be influenced by season and geographical location. Furthermore, the study establishes the potential of MW in considerable quantities of biogas and methane generation, in comparison with household waste. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]