Abstract:
Waste generation is an integral aspect of human existence that is unavoidable. It is a
product of resource use process that has the capacity of abusing the environment and
constitute a threat to public health if not well managed. Therefore, waste generated through
human activities needs to be properly managed through concrete efforts to maintain a
healthy and sustainable environment. The volume of solid waste generated does not
measure the degree to which the environment will be polluted. Thus, if the waste can be
evacuated and disposed of satisfactorily, and as fast as it is generated, there would be no
accumulation and hence no abuse or pollution of the environment. It is when evacuation
perpetually lags behind the rate of generation that solid waste becomes an environmental
nuisance. This study assesses the effect of indiscriminate solid waste disposal and
environmental issues associated with the management of solid waste in Amamoma
community, a suburb of Cape Coast Metropolitan Assembly. Primary data were used for
the study. Primary data were acquired through structured questionnaires administered to a
sample of 91 respondents which was randomly selected from the study area. The major
environmental issues resulting from improper disposal and poor management of solid
waste in Amamoma are physical nuisance of the waste to the environment, harbourage of
rodents and vermin, breeding of houseflies and other vectors. Therefore, this paper
recommends that a strong legislation with severe penalty be put in place and there should
be a continuous public enlightenment/education on the danger of indiscriminate waste to
the general public. It is also recommended that available market be created for these waste
that can be recycled.
