Problems of Solid Waste Management in Developing Urban Cities: A Case Study of Freetown, Sierra Leone

Abstract

This study was designed to determine the existing problems of solid waste management in Freetown. The problems that were assessed were the factors impeding the effectiveness and efficient solid waste management and the wrong attitudes and perceptions of the people about sanitation issues which have contributed to solid waste management problems in Freetown. Structured questionnaires were administered with respect to socioeconomic and solid waste management data. Interviews and personal observations were also used to collect some of the data. Data analysis was carried out using the Statistical Packages for Social Sciences (SPSS) software. The results show that majority of the households did not educate their members on the need to clean their surroundings. Virtually, all the people depend on the Freetown Waste Management Company’s facilities for the disposal of their household refuse. The study concludes that solid waste management problems are partly the result of Freetown Waste Management Company’s inability to cope with the situation because of lack of equipment, personnel, and inadequate funding. Therefore, the study recommends that the waste management authority’s effort in the area of education should be intensified in order to sensitize the people on the need to keep the surroundings clean. The participation of the private sector, government, NGOs’ and the international community in offering adaptable solutions towards improving solid waste management situation in Freetown is also needed.