Title: Household characteristics and waste generation paradox: what influences solid waste generation in Bolgatanga?

Authors: Pawin Joseph Sachi; Esi Akyere Mensah

Addresses: ADSEC, Agri & Development Services, Box 39E/R, Tamale, Northern Region, Ghana ' Department of Management and HR, GTUC, PMB 100, Accra-North, Ghana

Abstract: Municipal solid waste is recognised as an obnoxious local development challenge in many developing countries. The continuous struggle to ensure sustainable waste management in Ghana is a challenge of inadequate data on waste generation and the factors influencing generation. It is in this light that this paper examines waste generation rate and the influence of household socio-economic characteristics on waste generation in Bolgatanga, an urban city in Northern Ghana. The study utilised a regression technique based on ordinary least squares approach to empirically test the relationship between household variables and waste generation. The findings indicate; education, household size and fuel sources are significant but differently influenced waste generation. For effective waste management, the paper suggests a priority focus be given to education and recommends for future studies further analysis of the influence of income on waste generation.

Keywords: solid waste generation; socio-economic variables; waste generation paradox; solid waste generation; households socioeconomic characteristics; factors influencing waste generation; sustainable waste management strategies.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEWM.2020.108815

International Journal of Environment and Waste Management, 2020 Vol.26 No.2, pp.212 - 233

Received: 16 Sep 2018
Accepted: 04 Jun 2019
Published online: 04 Aug 2020 *

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