Comprehensive Assessment of Solid Waste Management Systems in Freetown; Analysis of Recycling Infrastructure, Collection Processes, Sorting Mechanisms and Material Recovery Facilities
Solid waste management in Freetown has been further complicated in the wake of rapid population growth and urbanization, resulting in considerable pressure to implement effective and sustainable solutions. This study fills the knowledge gap on the recycling infrastructure, solid waste collection processing, sorting and material recovery facilities specific to the Freetown waste management system. The aim of this study is to examine these components in terms of identifying inefficiencies and suggest sustainable practices to eliminate them. The study was guided by a mixed-method approach, which consisted of both quantitative and qualitative methods, and data collection was done through systematic random sampling. The sample of 384 respondents was collected, which includes stakeholders from a range of sectors. The outcome exhibited inefficient waste collection, a lack of formal recycling infrastructure, and suboptimal waste separation at house level, with 65.2% of respondents evidencing not separating their waste and 33% being without access to waste collection services that result in illegal dumping and environmental pollution. The analysis of the solid waste composition shows that a larger share of the waste generated in Freetown is composed of organic material (53% is being organic), which allows for composting programs to be initiated. This research establishes the inevitable requirement for infrastructure upgrading, mounting public awareness, and policy development. By taking into account these sectors, Freetown can become a more environment-friendly waste management system, which would mean a reduction in landfills and much-emphasized resource recovery.
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