Public Satisfaction with Informal Household Solid Waste Collection in Greater Kumasi Metropolis, Ghana.

Abstract

In the face of growing urbanization and inadequate formal waste management systems, informal household waste collectors (IWCs) have become pivotal in delivering services across the Greater Kumasi Metropolis, Ghana. This study aimed to assess public satisfaction with informal waste collection, determine the sustainability of the practice, and examine existing tracking mechanisms for Informal waste collection in the Greater Kumasi Metropolis. A mixed-methods approach was employed, utilizing both quantitative and qualitative methods to solicit information from participants. Quantitatively, a community-based cross-sectional study design was conducted, involving 617 respondents selected through a multistage sampling approach. Structured questionnaires were adopted to capture data on satisfaction levels with informal waste collection. Qualitatively, 10 in-depth interviews (IDIs) with informal collectors and five key informant interviews (KIIs) were conducted to explore themes related to sustainability and the mode of tracking for informal waste collection. Quantitatively, a logistic regression model was constructed, and the results were reported using odds ratios along with their corresponding 95% confidence intervals. The quantitative analysis was conducted using R Studio's statistical software, version 4.5.0, while thematic analysis was employed for qualitative data using Atlas. ti’s software. Overall, 80.1% of respondents were satisfied with informal waste collection, citing politeness and perceived sustainability as key drivers. Satisfaction was negatively associated with higher education, unemployment, and dissatisfaction with the use of PPE. Additionally, 80.4% viewed the practice as economically, socially, and environmentally sustainable. However, challenges such as operational costs, irregular payments, and social stigma remain. Tracking systems were largely informal, non-standardized, and reliant on community networks, with both collectors and officials calling for formal, technology-driven monitoring. Informal waste collection in Greater Kumasi is widely accepted and fills critical service gaps, yet remains marginalized in policy and practice. Sustainability is feasible but threatened by economic instability and inadequate regulation. Current tracking mechanisms are insufficient. Therefore, MMDAs should support IWCs through fuel subsidies, dumping fee reductions, and inclusion in municipal fee structures; they must formalize and regulate IWCs through registration and licensing, and ensure that tracking systems and zonal operational frameworks are introduced.