Waste Management by Small-Scale Textile Industries in Ghana

Abstract

Batik and Tie-dye have become popular Ghanaian dyed fabrics which are worn to different occasions. The fabric comes with exquisite designs for a range of outfits including shirts, trousers, <i>boubous</i>, <i>agbada</i> as well as chair backs, table cloth, curtains, bed sheets and kitchen napkins. These fabrics have contributed to Ghana’s economy in terms of foreign exchange. Not only has the production of these fabrics helped in boosting our economy but the colours, designs and styles speak volumes of our cultural heritage as a country. Batik and Tie-Dye fabrics are produced using various resist materials such as wax, starch, twines and chemical substances in the form of dye liquor. These materials, after use must be disposed of tactfully in order to prevent pollution of the environment. In Ghana are two vibrant dyeing Centres known as Vegus and Anointed Batik and Tie-Dye Centres. These Centres have produced unique fabrics to meet the high demands of Ghanaians and neighbouring countries like Togo and La Cote d’Ivoire. However, a cursory look at their waste management practices leaves much to be desired hence the need to conduct this research. The study employed the descriptive (qualitative) research and the purposive sampling technique with questionnaire, observation and interview as the research instruments. A major finding of the study is that most of the waste management methods being employed by the two Centres are not environmentally friendly. The study therefore recommends that a more befitting and environmentally friendly waste management method such as an incinerator and liquid segmentation method are adopted by the two Centres to forestall any harmful effect that their activities might have on the environment.