Life Cycle Analysis and Cost–Benefit Assessment of the Waste Collection System in Anyama, Cote d’Ivoire

Abstract

Municipal solid waste collection system in Anyama is in a critical state and is compounded by high population density. Household residents need about 30 minutes’ walk to the designated waste collection point. Waste is dumped openly along the roadside, which serves as breeding grounds for chronic diseases, malaria, diarrhea, and acute respiratory disease. Could the perception and attitude of residents change if the distance between their homes and the collection points is reduced? This study evaluated the current waste management system in Anyama. Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and cost–benefit analysis were conducted on four different waste collection scenarios, to propose an alternative, feasible, and integrated solid waste management system. Results showed that the kerbside recycling scenario has the highest benefit (5.8 billion CFA) compared to its cost (1.9 billion CFA), proving to be more economically sustainable. In environmental terms, the kerbside recycling scenario emitted lower emissions such as global warming potential (GWP 4967 tons) and carbon dioxide (CO2eq 550 tons). The kerbside recycling obviously had the highest potential for recycling and thus is more environmentally sustainable. Therefore, the kerbside scenario is the most suitable and recommended policy that should be adopted and implemented in Anyama. We recommend the introduction of waste banks specifically for recyclable waste and the setting up of more kerbside collection points in order to reduce the distance from households to collection points, thus improving residents’ attitude towards effective waste disposal.