Household waste management, community behavior, and sustainability challenges in urban areas

Abstract

Background: The paper is an analysis of household waste management in the Awutu Senya East District of Ghana with a focus on the challenges that have been presented by the accelerated urbanisation, population increase and changing consumption components. Since the volume and complexity of waste is compounded by these factors, it is becoming important that proper management is maintained with respect to the health of people and environmental sustainability. Methods: The research design employed in the study utilises a quantitative descriptive approach, surveying 1,500 households to determine the types of waste produced, disposal practices, and the attitudes of households towards the available waste management services. Findings: Food scraps constitute the largest proportion of household waste in the district. More than 60% of respondents rely on open dumping at landfills and informal dumpsites due to limited and inconsistent formal collection services. This practice contributes to environmental pollution and increased public health risks, particularly vector-borne diseases. Although most households regularly dispose of their waste, dissatisfaction remains high because of irregular collection schedules, inadequate infrastructure, and weak management systems, indicating a gap between waste generation and service effectiveness. Conclusion: The study highlights the urgent need for integrated waste management strategies involving improved infrastructure, reliable collection services, community education, and active public participation. These efforts are necessary to enhance environmental health and promote sustainable waste management. However, the findings are based solely on self-reported survey data without observational validation. Novelty/Originality of this Article: Despite this limitation, the findings provide practical guidance for promoting sustainable waste practices, including reducing open dumping, encouraging recycling, and strengthening community participation in environmentally responsible waste management.