Spatial Identification of Potential Dump Disposal Sites for Effective Waste Management in the Sunyani Municipality, Ghana

Swidbert Höflinger,Ampah Amproche Amprofi,Amos Tiereyangn Kabo-Bah,Mary Antwi

doi:10.4236/gep.2020.811005

Abstract

One daunting task faced by waste managers is to appropriately identify safe sites for waste disposal and this study combined expert knowledge, field observations and GIS-based modelbuilder to model and identify suitable dumpsites. Overview of the study area confirmed the random siting of dumpsites that poses threat to environmental safety. Land use and land cover classification produced an overall accuracy of 81.97% with kappa coefficient = 0.78, which was employed in the suitability search criteria. Other key derived parameters vital for safe dumpsite locations were distances to catchment > 100 m, distances to water bodies > 100 m, soil characteristics—clayey, topology (slope of 2 and 4) and geology—Granitoids. The weightings (%) obtained for the key parameters were: water = 32, connection to catchment area = 28, topology = 23, soil = 10 and geology = 7. The exclusion criteria and suitability analysis, based on assigned suitable values from the key weighted parameters in the modelbuilder, produced a map of potential waste disposal sites rating them as most suitable, suitable and less suitable for the Sunyani Municipality. The model for the site identification could be used as a guideline to provide first and quick impression on potential waste disposal sites for stakeholders in waste management. The suitable sites give an indicator for sites with the least possible environmental impact. The study however recommends that for specific locations, further in-depth research be done to suit site-specific conditions in order to improve accuracy.

Highlights

Ghana has witnessed a constant growth in urbanisation since 1960 with a 23.1 percent of the population living in urban areas to 50.9 percent in 2010 (GSS, 2012)
The model for the site identification could be used as a guideline to provide first and quick impression on potential waste disposal sites for stakeholders in waste management
The suitable sites give an indicator for sites with the least possible environmental impact

Summary

Introduction

Ghana has witnessed a constant growth in urbanisation since 1960 with a 23.1 percent of the population living in urban areas to 50.9 percent in 2010 (GSS, 2012) This growth is associated with problems of proper waste management and disposal among the populace that have to be provided with waste management services. The issue is correlated and enhanced by the growing wealth in the country; growing wealth increases the consumption of local population thereby increasing the total amount of generated waste by the populace. This effect is visible to a greater extent in urban rather than rural areas, as people use more packaged goods in the cities (Bhada-Tata & Hoornweg, 2012). The direct impacts of an improved waste management situation are easier to measure and to observe in a more densely populated area, as the samples taken from such areas cover smaller spaces with a higher impact and have an increased accuracy (UNEP, 2005)

Methods

Results

Conclusion