ASSESSMENT OF THE CHALLENGES IN IMPLEMENTING SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT POLICIES IN CAMEROON

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

Background of the Study

Globally, designing effective waste management policies and procedures has become the task of environmental stakeholders in both developing and developed countries especially with the focus of ensuring that they are aligned with the needs and realities of the citizens. According to Ivanova (2019), wastes are substances or items that are either discarded, intended to be discarded, or legally obligated to be discarded under national regulations. Mugambwa (2019) defines waste as an object, material, or substance that an individual deems useless in a specific moment and location. According to Medina (2022), solid waste or municipal solid waste refers to items produced as a result of human everyday activities in many areas such as households, public spaces, cities, streets, stores, offices, hospitals, and other industrial sectors. In addition, Olaniyan et al. (2018) defined solid waste as the non-gaseous waste materials that are produced by various processes in national, commercial, agricultural, industrial, and public establishments. 

Undoubtedly, the primary sources of solid waste in an urban area include municipal waste (derived from street sweeping, sewage, waste from schools, markets, and other institutions), domestic waste (consisting of garbage, rubbish, and often large waste from homes), commercial waste (generated by stores and offices), industrial waste (produced by manufacturing plants), mining waste (resulting from coal mining, strip mining, etc.), construction and demolition waste (generated by new construction sites, road repairs, and renovation sites demolishing broken pavements), and agricultural waste (as identified by Gobo & Ubong, 2021). Likewise, the primary components of municipal solid waste (MSW) include food waste, paper, plastic, rags, metal, and glass. Additionally, demolition and construction waste are commonly included in the collected waste. Small quantities of hazardous waste, such as old batteries, light bulbs, car parts, and leftover chemicals and medicines, are also typically found in MSW (Zhang et al., 2021). More specifically, municipal solid waste (MSW) differs greatly among towns worldwide, it often consists of both biodegradable and non-biodegradable components derived from organic and inorganic sources, as stated by Nanda and Berruti (2021). Furthermore, MSW has various applications, including soil amendment, energy generation, and construction materials.  

Since effective waste management is a crucial component of sustainable development in any country, including Cameroon (da Silva, Prietto & Korf, 2019). The Ministry of Environment and its regulatory entities have made consistent efforts to ensure this is implemented. However, the global significance of municipal solid waste (MSW) treatment and disposal is on the rise (Moya et al., 2018). The increase in population in African cities, such as Buea, Cameroon, presents difficulties in effectively managing garbage, especially due to the rising amount of municipal solid waste (MSW) caused by population growth and urbanisation (Yoshida, 2018). Regrettably, a significant portion of municipal solid waste (MSW) in these regions is not adequately gathered or processed (Yoshida, 2018). Several developing countries, such as Cameroon, face significant challenges in effectively managing municipal solid waste (MSW) (Staley and Barlaz, 2019).  The governance of waste management in Cameroon is impeded by fragmented responsibilities distributed across many levels of government and agencies, resulting in coordination difficulties and overlapping roles (Nzihou, 2020). Local governments, being largely accountable for waste management, frequently face deficiencies in technical proficiency, financial means, and independence required for the efficient execution of programs. This issue is exacerbated by corruption and inadequate enforcement of current legislation, which weakens the efficacy of waste management endeavours. The regulatory framework may also be antiquated or inadequately synchronised with contemporary environmental and urban development circumstances, hence exacerbating the challenges associated with implementing it (Tsinda et al., 2023). 

Furthermore, the growing intricacy and quantity of garbage, caused by shifting consumer habits and the widespread use of materials that do not decompose naturally, present further difficulties for waste management systems that are already under significant strain. The scarcity of data on garbage generation and composition is a significant obstacle to policymakers in developing and executing targeted waste management policies that are suitable for local requirements (Ngome & Njini, 2021). Therefore, a survey will be conducted in order to assess the challenges in implementing solid waste management policies in Cameroon.

Statement of the Problem

Over times, the issue of solid waste disposal and management affects both urban and rural areas.  According to Ezeudu et al. (2021), each individual has the ability to generate trash, making them a contributor to this problem. However, solid waste management is a significant health and environmental challenge that African city governments are currently grappling with (Achankeng, 2023). The reason for this is that, despite allocating 20-50% of their budget to solid waste management, some cities are only able to collect 20-80% of the waste. Nevertheless, uncollected or illicitly discarded waste poses a significant threat to human health and the destruction of the environment. 

Tsiboe and Marbell (2018) argue that the issue of waste in African urban cities can be comprehended by considering the global phenomenon of rapid urbanisation and external political pressures to address waste-related governance and management challenges. Urbanisation contributes to the waste problem, while market forces are seen as a potential solution. Although urbanisation is not a recent occurrence in Africa, the present rate of unregulated and spontaneous urbanisation in Africa has resulted in a significant increase in the production of liquid and solid wastes. These wastes have far exceeded the capacity of city authorities to collect and dispose of them in a safe and efficient manner (Wetherel, 2023). 

Researchers from ProjectHouse (2020) have identified MSW management as a major issue in Cameroon, specifically in the municipality of Buea. The challenges include a lack of sufficient collection bins, long distances between homes and landfills, infrequent waste collections, and negative public perceptions towards waste management. The urban poor, facing high poverty rates and engaging in informal economic activities, have insufficient waste disposal practices. This is mostly due to the absence of cheap garbage collection services, leading them to resort to illegal dumping. (Ngnikam & Tanawa, 2022). The informal sector, which has a substantial impact on garbage collection and recycling, primarily operates without adhering to regulatory guidelines, resulting in inefficiencies and environmental risks. In addition, there is a lack of widespread knowledge and education regarding appropriate waste management practices, which leads to a poor degree of adherence to trash disposal standards (Parrot, Sotamenou, & Dia, 2019). Hence, it is in the light of these that the study seeks to assess the challenges in implementing solid waste management policies in Cameroon.

 1.3  Objectives of the Study

The main purpose of this study is to assess the challenges in implementing solid waste management policies in Cameroon.  Specifically, the study will;

Assess  the level of  waste management infrastructure in Cameroon.

Evaluate the extent financial constraints faced affects the implementation of solid waste management policies.

Evaluate the extent to which rapid urbanization and population growth affects the implemention of solid waste management policies in Cameroon.

Evaluate whether political instability affects the implemention of solid waste management policies in Cameroon.

1.4  Research Questions

The following questions have been prepared for the study:

What is the level of waste management infrastructure in Cameroon?

How do financial constraints affect the implementation of solid waste management policies in Cameroon?

To what extent do rapid urbanization and population growth impact the implementation of solid waste management policies in Cameroon?

Does political instability affect the implementation of solid waste management policies in Cameroon?

1.5 Research Hypotheses

H0: There are no significant challenges in implementing solid waste management policies in Cameroon.

Ha: There are significant challenges in implementing solid waste management policies in Cameroon.

1.6 Significance of the Study

The findings of this study will provide significant insights that may be made accessible to the general public regarding the crucial components of solid waste management, including the collection and transportation processes. Since enhancing solid waste management has a positive impact on the well-being of individuals, the long-term viability of the environment, the aesthetic appeal of surroundings, and the ability to attract potential investors. Moreover, subsequent researchers will use it as a literature review. This means that other students who may decide to conduct studies in this area will have the opportunity to use this study as available literature that can be subjected to critical review.

1.7 Scope of the study   

The scope of this study is boarded on the challenges in implementing solid waste management policies in Cameroon. Empirically, this study will assess  the level of  waste management infrastructure, evaluate the extent financial constraints faced affects the implementation of solid waste management policies, the extent to which rapid urbanization and population growth affects the implemention of solid waste management policies and whether political instability affects the implemention of solid waste management policies..

Geographically, the study will be delimited to residents of Buea, Cameroon.

1.8 Limitation of the study

In the course of carrying out this study, the researcher experienced some constraints, which included time constraints, financial constraints, language barriers, and the attitude of the respondents. In addition, there was the element of researcher bias. Here, the researcher possessed some biases that may have been reflected in the way the data was collected, the type of people interviewed or sampled, and how the data gathered was interpreted thereafter. The potential for all this to influence the findings and conclusions could not be downplayed. More so, the findings of this study are limited to the sample population in the study area, hence they may not be suitable for use in comparison to other schools, local governments, states, and other countries in the world.

 1.9 Definition of Terms

Waste: Any material, substance, or byproduct that is discarded, unwanted, or considered to have no further use.

Municipal Solid Waste (MSW): The waste materials generated from residential, commercial, institutional, and public areas within a municipality.

Solid Waste Management: The systematic administration of activities that involve the handling of solid waste from its inception to its final disposal. This process includes the collection, transportation, treatment, recycling, and disposal of solid waste, with the aim of minimizing its impact on the environment and public health.

Policies: The set of laws, regulations, guidelines, and strategic plans established by government authorities to oversee the collection, treatment, recycling, and disposal of solid waste.

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