Abstract
The recovery of recyclables from the waste stream is a vital factor to consider in any recycling scheme since it enhances the quality of recyclables and ensures efficient recycling schemes. This study was conducted in the Tamale Metropolis of Ghana to investigate incentive options that can promote municipal solid waste resource recovery to support policy decisions on the formalization of recycling scheme in the Metropolis. Solid waste source separation scheme was set up in four different waste management service zones in the Metropolis. The quantity of separated materials, set-out rate, as well as separation efficiency of the targeted materials in the scheme were also assessed. The result of the study indicated a high recovery factor for dry recyclables (53.97%) as against food waste (10.03%). There was a significant effect of incentives on waste material quantities. Significant differences also occurred in the set-out rates and separation efficiency. Moreover, the study showed that employing prize as a reward scheme in addition to the provision of a waste storage facility had a high propensity for waste material recovery. The study demonstrated that the quantity of waste materials that may be retrieved in a recycling scheme in different solid waste management service zones depends on the type of incentive employed in the scheme and the service zone considered.
Highlights
Source separation refers to the separation of household solid waste into different categories at source for further treatment [1]
The large quantities of plastics and food waste may be as a result of the influence of economic class and household dynamics on solid waste generation and composition [47,48]
This study provided important information on setting priorities in incentive options to employ to support efficient source separation and recycling schemes
Summary
Source separation refers to the separation of household solid waste into different categories at source for further treatment [1]. Source separation is seen as a viable method of reducing waste quantities and a key component in promoting recycling [3,4]. Studies have shown that it is better to separate recyclable materials at the source of generation than the separation of mixed waste at a material recovery facility, as cleaner and higher quality materials are produced through sorting at source [5]. It is argued that recycling produces one of the most realistic economic and ecologically sound solutions in managing solid waste disposal [6]. The key direct economic benefits of source separation programs are the earnings made from sales of the recovered waste materials and the credits for avoiding part of the cost of disposal by landfill or other means of disposal [7]. Information on waste generation rate gives indication of waste quantities that can be generated to serve as a guide in projecting potential waste generation rate in a city [8] and to determine management strategies to be utilized [9]
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