Waste Management Challenges and Circular Economy Opportunities in

Kumasi, Ghana
1. Introduction:

Kumasi, the second-largest metropolis in Ghana with a population of 3,903,000 in 2024,

a 3.58% increase from 2023 (Kumasi, Ghana Metro Area Population 1950-2024, n.d), this city
faces a significant challenge in managing its waste. The city grapples with over 1000 tons of
daily waste generation, a substantial portion of which is mismanaged, leading to severe
environmental and public health issues (Regional & Centre, 2022). This report provides an
overview of the current state of waste management in Kumasi, exploring the types and quantities
of waste produced, the existing management system, and the opportunities and challenges
associated with implementing a circular economy approach.

The European Union Commission recognizes the urgency of addressing waste management
issues in Kumasi. Their support aims to empower the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) to
improve public service delivery, particularly in the area of "Integral Management of Urban Solid
Waste and Circular Economy" through capacity building initiatives.

2. Current Waste Management Practices in Kumasi:

Kumasi generates a diverse range of waste streams, categorized as domestic, industrial, and
medical waste [4]. Research by [Owusu et al., 2011] indicates that the city produces a daily
average of 1,000 tons of solid waste. Unfortunately a significant portion of this waste ends up in
landfills or dumpsites, often leading to water and environmental contamination (Seglah et al.,
2023).

The current waste management system in Kumasi relies on a combination of collection methods,
including house-to-house pickup and communal bins. The ultimate disposal method is primarily
landfilling, although limited incineration might also occur . However, this system suffers from
several limitations:

Low Collection Rates: Inefficient collection systems result in a significant portion of waste
remaining uncollected, leading to accumulation and posing environmental hazards [7].

Inadequate Sorting and Recycling: The current system lacks effective sorting and recycling
processes, causing valuable resources to be lost in landfills [8].

Limited Public Awareness: Low public awareness and participation in waste management
initiatives further hinder progress towards a more sustainable system [9].
3. Challenges and Impacts of Improper Waste Management
Improper waste management in Kumasi poses a dire threat to public health and the environment.
Uncollected waste creates breeding grounds for disease-carrying vectors, increasing the risk of
outbreaks [10]. Furthermore, leachate from overflowing landfills contaminates water sources,
while windblown debris contributes to air pollution, jeopardizing the health and well-being of
city residents [11].

Beyond the health risks, improper waste management undermines Kumasi's reputation as the
"Garden City of West Africa." The visual blight of uncollected waste and overflowing landfills
detracts from the city's image and discourages tourism [12]. Moreover, the financial burden of
managing overflowing landfills diverts resources from other critical city services [13].

4. Opportunities for a Circular Economy in Kumasi

The concept of a circular economy offers a promising alternative to the current linear "take-
make-dispose" waste management model. A circular economy emphasizes resource recovery
and minimizing waste generation through strategies such as:

Reduce: Design products for durability and repairability to extend their lifespan.

Reuse: Encourage the reuse of products and materials whenever possible.

Recycle: Transform waste materials into new products, diverting them from landfills.

Recover: Extract energy or compost organic waste to create valuable resources.

Redesign: Design products and systems to be more resource-efficient and minimize waste
generation at the source.

By implementing a circular economy approach, Kumasi can address its waste management
challenges and unlock several opportunities:

Minimize Waste Generation: Promoting product design changes and encouraging reuse can
significantly reduce the amount of waste produced in the first place.
Maximize Resource Recovery: Improved recycling and composting infrastructure can extract
valuable resources from waste streams, minimizing reliance on virgin materials.

Green Job Creation: The development of a circular economy can stimulate job creation in waste
collection, sorting, processing, and recycling sectors.

5. Conclusion

The current waste management system in Kumasi is unsustainable and financially burdensome.
The transition to a circular economy model presents a significant opportunity to transform waste
management practices in the city. Further research is necessary to identify and develop specific
strategies for implementing a circular economy approach in Kumasi. This will involve
considering factors such as:

Existing waste streams and their potential for resource recovery.

Feasibility of establishing recycling and composting infrastructure.

Public education and awareness campaigns to encourage waste reduction and segregation.

By embracing a circular economy approach, Kumasi can create a cleaner, healthier city while
fostering economic development and job creation.