Waste Management Practices of Construction Companies at the Airport Hills and Sakumono Areas in Accra, Ghana

Abstract

Waste generated in the construction industry is a major environmental problem but its research is rather limited. Thus, this research was conducted to assess the waste disposal practices of construction companies at the Airport Hills and Sakumono areas in Accra, Ghana. These areas were chosen because of the increasing and fast development of housing projects there. A convenience sampling technique was used in choosing the companies to achieve the research goal. Questionnaires and field observations were used to gather information about the construction companies and their waste management practices. Forty construction companies were identified in both study areas. Majority of the companies recorded a total of 60-80 cubic meters of material waste per month. Eleven companies stated amounts of between USD 250 - 350 as cost of material waste management per month. Several reusable materials were identified at construction sites. Twenty-six companies practised sorting and recovery of waste before final disposal. It was revealed that there was no statistically significant relationship between the educational levels of waste management teams of the construction companies and their practice of proper waste management methods. A significant relationship however existed between the educational level of waste management teams and their use of waste management plans. It is recommended that waste management training programmes are developed by the Environmental Protection Agency of Ghana for construction companies to curb the problem of poor construction waste management.