Solid waste characterisation and recycling potential: A study in secondary schools in Kumasi Metropolis, Ghana

Solid waste characterisation is vital for proper planning and successful implementation of a recycling strategy. Information on the physical characteristics of solid waste generated in the schools in Kumasi Metropolis is limited. This study characterised and assessed the recycling potential of solid waste generated in selected secondary schools in Kumasi Metropolis in the Ashanti Region of Ghana. A stratified random sampling technique was employed to select the schools, namely, Kumasi Anglican Senior High School (KASHS), Kumasi Wesley Girls Senior High School (KWGSHS), and Kumasi Senior High Technical School (KSHTS) for the study. Seventeen waste samples were collected daily in each school for three weeks using coded 240 L waste bins. Physical characterisation was conducted on the solid waste generated in the schools. The data were analysed using one-way ANOVA. The study revealed that the distribution pattern of waste flow in the schools was organic (29.0 %), paper (29.0 %) > plastic (18.0 %) > metal (13.0 %) > leather (5.0 %) > glass (4.0 %) > residual waste (2.0 %). Daily waste generation levels in the schools differed [F(2, 60) = 105.860, p = .000] with varied levels of recyclable wastes. On average, the schools had a per capita waste generation of 0.0926 ± 0.0003 kg/person/day, with KSHTS recording the highest percentage recyclable waste level, followed by KASHS and KWGSHS. Recyclable waste constituted about 97.0 % of the schools’ waste flow, with organic waste accounting for 30.0 %. The recycling potential of solid waste generated in the schools was high. Adoption of recycling and composting as sustainable means for treating recyclable and compostable wastes respectively is recommended.