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American Journal of   
Environment and Climate (AJEC)

Assessment of  Policy Guidelines, Strategies, and Operational Processes Associated with 
Plastic Waste Management in Ghana

Derick Kwabena Mintah1*, Rama Osei-Bonsu2, Joseph Appiah2, Loretta Obeng Mensah3

Volume 2 Issue 3, Year 2023
ISSN: 2832-403X (Online) 

DOI: https://doi.org/10.54536/ajec.v2i3.1868
https://journals.e-palli.com/home/index.php/ajec

Article Information ABSTRACT

Received: June 30, 2023

Accepted: August 04, 2023

Published: September 11, 2023

The study sought to assess to assess the policy guidelines, strategies, and operational 
processes associated with plastic waste management in Ghana. A descriptive cross-sectional 
study design that employed both quantitative and qualitative procedures was used. The data 
was analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). Descriptive analysis was 
performed on the structured questionnaire whereas thematic analysis was conducted on 
data from the interview guided. The results revealed that there are guidelines, strategies, 
and operational processes for plastic waste management in greater Kumasi and there exist 
different activities of  stakeholders (Recycling companies, KMA and Waste collectors) 
in plastic waste management in Kumasi. The extent of  compliance with plastic waste 
management guidelines (National Plastic Waste Management Policy) is dependent on the 
different stakeholders. Plastic recycling companies are in the infant stage with their activities 
being centered on six processes with pelletizing plastics for export been their major 
activities whereas waste collectors are solely responsible for collection, transportation and 
final disposal of  plastic waste from different places to either dump sites or plastic recycling 
companies. KMA and other government institutions involved in waste management must 
take steps by supervising the day-to-day activities of  plastic recycling companies and waste 
collectors to regulate the activities of  companies within the plastic recycling industry.

Keywords
Knowledge, Operational Process, 
Guidelines, Ghana, Strategies, 
Plastic Waste

1 Kumasi Compost and Recycling Plant Limited, Ghana
2 Akenten Appiah Menka University of  Skills Training and Entrepreneurial Development, Ghana
3 Kwame Nkrumah University of  Science and Technology, Ghana
* Corresponding author’s e-mail: dmintahk@gmail.com

INTRODUCTION
Plastic use and especially the management of  plastic 
waste has become one of  the biggest and most complex 
challenges of  this century, and as a complex challenge, 
it requires integrated solutions. Although plastics are a 
globally important material, there are many environmental 
concerns associated with their use. The hazards plastics 
pose are numerous and multidimensional and their 
impacts may transcend national borders. Global plastics 
production grew from 1.5 million metric tons (Mt) per 
annum in 1950 to 400 million Mt in 2017. Production 
during the last 10 years equaled production during the 
whole of  the 20th century combined. It is estimated 
that global plastic production could triple by 2050. 
Furthermore, only 9% of  the 9 billion tons of  plastics 
ever produced have been recycled, with 8 to 12 million 
tons entering the ocean as litter every year (Ministry 
of  Environment Science, Technology and Innovation 
(MESTI), 2020). The problem with plastic lies not in how 
it is used, which is generally harmless, but in end-of-life 
management of  products made from it (Arnaud, 2019). 
Since 1950, close to half  of  all plastic has ended up in 
landfill or dumped in the wild (Geyer et al., 2017)
Plastics entered Ghana in the late 1990s and facilitated 
the packaging of  manufactured products and reduction 
of  agricultural wastage. However, the waste stream over 
the years is changing from mainly organics to increasing 
proportions of  plastics, whereas the attitude of  
indiscriminately disposing of  (previously organic) wastes 
still remains widespread. Plastic waste has found its way 
into surface water and marine environments (MESTI, 

2020). In Ghana, some 120 companies manufacture over 
52,000 tons of  various plastics and plastics products per 
year. Presently, the exact quantities and sources of  origin 
of  plastics imported into the country are not monitored 
and are therefore not known. More than one million tons 
of  plastic wastes are generated every year. This suggests 
that domestic manufacturing accounts for less than 5% 
of  all plastics entering the Ghanaian economy.
One primary driver of  plastic waste management is 
legislation (Agamuthu et al., 2009). Sustainable plastic 
waste management must be grounded in local legislation 
that is geographically and culturally feasible, reasonable, 
and far-sighted. Cooperation by various stakeholders 
is required to achieve sustainable waste management. 
Laws and regulations for plastic waste management in 
developing countries are mostly embedded in larger 
environmental laws or acts in solid waste management. 
However, this is not the case in Ghana where there is the 
existence of  national plastic management policy. Despite 
the existence of  this policy, there are no specific laws/
outlines detailing the plastic waste collection, sorting, 
disposal and recycling processes to improve the way 
plastic waste is managed in Ghana. The few embedded 
laws to improve plastic waste in Ghana are poorly 
implemented. 
Again, most MMDAS in Ghana lack the needed logistics 
and often see plastic waste management as a poor 
service because operating costs for even Municipal Solid 
Waste Management are barely recovered and most of  
the municipalities are unable to provide the appropriate 
level of  services. The guidelines and strategies outlined 



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in national plastic management policy in Ghana face 
the challenges of  inadequate finance in supporting 
plastic waste management, untrained personnel at the 
local offices, political influences, lack of  community 
involvement, inappropriate technology to suit emerging 
conditions, and unavailable data on plastic waste and 
many others. 
Looking back over time, the Revised Environmental 
Sanitation Policy of  1999 stated Information, Education 
and Communication, Legislation and Regulation, Levels 
of  Service, Sustainable Financing and Cost Recovery, 
Research and Development and Monitoring and 
Evaluation as its general policy focus with several broad 
policy principles relevant to improving environmental 
sanitation. This revised environmental sanitation policy 
seeks to address the limitations of  the old policy published 
in 1999. In addition, the policy emphasizes the need to 
ensure a systematic collection of  data on waste from all 
sectors of  the economy and supports relevant research 
and development to meet the challenges of  managing 
waste in Ghana. This gave rise to the enactment of  
the implementation programs to ensure the successful 
accomplishment of  the policy focuses. Unfortunately, 
these programs have not been up to the task. Formulation, 
and most importantly, enforcement of  government laws 
and regulations are vital for the attainment of  sustainable 
solid waste management; however, developing countries 
have challenges with the implementation of  laws and 
programs to attain proper plastic waste management. 
Consistent with Ibrahim et al., (2016) findings, Ghana has 
no national law binding the national plastic management 
policy for the management of  plastic waste. Furthermore, 
Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies 
(MMDAs) are expected to come up with bylaws, which 
must be passed by parliament and monitored by the 
Heads of  MMDAs. Key national policy documents that 
capture solid waste management in Ghana include the 
National Environmental Sanitation Policy (NESP) 2010 
and the National Environmental Sanitation Strategy and 
Action Plan (NESSAP) 2010. These documents were 
prepared by the Ministry of  Local Government and 
Rural Development to develop and sustain a clean, safe, 
and pleasant environment for human settlements. They 
are passed as the need to refocus the environmental 
sanitation sector in Ghana to meet Medium Term 
Development Policy Framework (MTDPF, 2010 – 
2013) objectives to meet the objectives of  the United 
Nations Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), and 
other recent international initiatives (Asase et al., 2009). 
Conversely, the implementations of  these documents 
have been poor. 
In 2020, a revised National Plastics Management 
Policy (NPMP) was enacted to cater for the lapses and 
challenges faced over the years of  previous policies. 
NPMP is Ghana’s integrated response to managing 
plastics on sustainable basis to facilitate speedy national 
development. It has been prepared and designed 
within the context of  national sustainable development 

priorities, including achieving the objectives of  the 
governments Coordinated Programme of  Economic 
and Social Development Policies (2017-2024): National 
Medium-Term Development Framework: Agenda for 
Jobs: Creating equal opportunities for all (2018–2021), 
AU Agenda 2063 and the Sustainable Development 
Goals. Though the policy existence is not long, however 
potency of  the policy is doubtful to effectively address the 
growing plastic waste in cities in Ghana. The study sought 
to assess policy guidelines, strategies and operational 
processes associated with plastic waste management in 
Ghana.

LITERATURE REVIEW 
Plastics 
The American Chemistry Council (2015) defines plastics 
as materials that are obtained from various elements 
such as chlorine, sulfur, oxygen, nitrogen, carbon and 
hydrogen. Plastics are man-made organic materials 
produced from raw materials of  oil and natural gas 
with molecular weights that can range from 20,000 to 
100,000 mg/L. Plastics are generally divided into two 
parts based on their processing as either thermoplastics 
or thermosets. Thermoplastics are materials that soften 
easily when heated and hardens when cooled. They can 
also be melted down and transformed into a new plastic 
product. Due to the way they can be easily molded into 
different shapes, they are usually employed in food 
packaging (Ampofo, 2015). Thermosets do not undergo 
repeated heat treatments due to their complex molecular 
structure; as a result of  this, they are not reprocessed into 
new products. They are durable in nature and are used 
in automobiles, construction and in applications such as 
adhesives and coatings (Ampofo, 2015). 
The four types of  plastics that are currently used and 
recycled in developing countries are polyethylene (PE), 
polypropylene (PP), polystyrene (PS) and polyvinyl 
chloride (PVC) (BBC, 2014). Polyethylene becomes hard 
and stiff  when sterilized, it is therefore used as shrink 
wraps for products, and it is also used to make bottles. 
As compared with PE, polypropylene is more rigid and 
can bend sharply without breaking. It is used for food 
containers, chairs, ropes, pipes and crates. Polystyrene is 
brittle and mostly transparent in its unprocessed form, 
because of  this, it can be used for light fittings and cheap 
transparent kitchen ware. Polyvinyl chloride is usually 
stiff, strong and scratch resistance and it is used in pipes 
and window frames (BBC, 2014). To recycle plastic waste, 
management of  it must be effective.

Plastic Waste Management
The concept of  waste hierarchy is the basis for waste 
minimization strategies, and refers to the 3Rs which are to 
reduce, reuse and recycle. According to Baud et al., (2004) 
a more environmentally friendly and sustainable solid 
waste management strategy emphasizes on activities in 
relation to reduction, reuse and recycling. The application 
of  the 3R concept in to the waste management minimizes 



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the amount of  waste that goes in to landfills. Reduction 
is aimed at reducing the amount of  waste produced 
by adopting or optimizing the production process of  
manufacturers and industries. As a result, natural resources 
will be saved. Reuse does not involve re processing or 
transforming from one type of  material in to another. 
Rather reuse occurs when one material served its original 
purpose and reused for another purpose rather than 
being thrown away. Recycling is all about transforming 
or reprocessing of  materials that served the original 
function in to new products. Otherwise, those products 
that served the original function will be considered as 
waste. Recycling is common among materials produced 
of  virgin materials such as glass, plastic, metals and 
electronic waste. Recycling also involves organic materials 
for the production of  compost. (Zhu et al 2007). However, 
despite its wide use, the 3Rs approach has failed to curb 
the problem of  plastic waste, especially in less developed 
countries. An analysis of  the 3Rs reveals its inadequacy in 
solving the problem of  plastic waste. 

Reduce
In a modern society that has become increasingly 
consumption-driven, a reduction in the use of  plastic is 
illogical. Industry and commerce need to increase output 
to survive and grow, while consumers are constantly 
urged to consume more. Plastics have now replaced 
many natural materials such as cotton, wood, and leather. 
The growth in plastic products means that the strategy to 
reduce will not work. 

Reuse
The reuse of  plastic products can only postpone the 

increase in plastic. Plastic products are rarely durable and 
often rendered obsolete by newer products. For example, 
the useful life of  computers, which contain a significant 
amount of  plastic, is limited by capacity. Also, the reuse 
of  many plastic products is limited by the presence of  
additives such as plasticizers and flame-retardants, which 
leach out of  the plastic and pose hazards for reuse 
(Halden 2010).

Recycle
Many plastics are not meant to be recycled. Plastics 
can be divided into two general types: thermoplastics, 
which can be recycled; and thermosets, which cannot 
be recycled. There are over 20 types of  thermoplastics 
but only six are identified for recycling: 1, PET 
(polyethylene terephthalate); 2, HDPE (high-density 
polyethylene); 3, PVC (polyvinyl chloride); 4, LDPE 
(low-density polyethylene); 5, PP (polypropylene); and 6, 
PS (polystyrene). The other types of  recyclable plastics 
are classified as 7, OTHER. Clearly, the system for the 
recycling of  thermoplastics leaves much to be desired. 
On the other hand, thermoset plastics, which account 
for a large group of  important industrial and consumer 
plastics, are not recyclable. In addition, the use of  additives 
makes it difficult to recycle plastics. It is, therefore, not 
surprising that less than 9% of  plastic waste is recycled 
globally (d’Ambrières 2019).
Before plastic waste can be recycled, it must first be 
recovered. However, the recovery of  plastic waste 
requires an efficient waste management system and most 
developing countries are unable to do this.  The failure of  
the 3Rs to address plastic waste can be attributed to two 
things: first, this strategy requires an efficient recovery 

Figure 1: Plastic Waste Management hierarchy.

of  plastic waste, a system that is not present in most 
developing countries; and second, many plastics are not 
designed to be recycled. The inadequacies of  the 3Rs can 
be addressed by the 5Rs: redesign, reduce, reuse, recover, 
and recycle. The 5Rs capture the key aspects of  the 
Circular Economy, a strategy that is being promoted by 
the European Commission (EUR-LEX, 2018).

Study Type and Design
A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted to 
assess policy guidelines, strategies, and operational 
processes associated with plastic waste management in 
Ghana. The approach employed both quantitative and 
qualitative procedures to achieve the topic of  the study. 
The quantitative part of  this study employed structured 
questionnaires to solicit the views on strategies and 



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policies for sustainable plastic waste management in 
Kumasi Metropolis. The qualitative study sought to 
know the inherent roles of  stakeholders, plastic recycling 
processes, challenges and opportunities that existed in the 
management of  plastic waste. 

Sample  
The target population comprised of  plastic waste 
recycling companies, waste collectors and Kumasi 
Metropolitan Solid Waste management. These were 
selected because they are active players relating to plastic 
waste management in Kumasi. They are also responsible 
for all plastic waste management issues in Kumasi and 
hence the need to examine the effectiveness of  these 
groups of  people plastic waste management. For the 
waste collectors, a total sample size of  315 was used for 
the study. This was to ensure that the sampled mean was 
closer to the population mean and minimize errors. 

Sampling Procedure
A purposive and random sampling technique was used to 
select respondents. The respondents therefore constitute 
the following; 5 plastic waste recycling companies, 315 
waste collectors and official of  Kumasi Metropolitan 
Solid Waste management. These groups of  people were 
purposively selected because they are directly engage in all 
waste issues in the Greater Kumasi and have considerable 
knowledge in the subject matter of  the study. Data 
was collected using both Primary and Secondary data 
collection technique. Purposive sampling was used to 
select the KMA and plastic recycling companies whiles 
simple random sampling was used to waste collectors.

Data Collection and Analysis
Data was collected by the usage of  questionnaire and 
interview. The data was analysed using Statistical Package 
for Social Sciences (SPSS). Descriptive analysis was 
performed on the structured questionnaire whereas 
thematic analysis was conducted on data gathered by 
interview.

RESULTS 
Plastic Waste Management Companies Operational 
Practices And Strategies
On the issue of  knowledge and awareness of  National 
Plastic Waste Management Policy, respondents from 
plastic waste management companies stated that;
‘‘There is existence of  policy document on plastic waste 
management and we are even aware about the launch of  
the policy document but have never gotten a copy and 
there has not been awareness creation and education on 
the policy document’’ (Field Survey, May 2022).
Furthermore, when plastic waste management companies 
were asked about the strategy they take plastic waste 
collected through, they stated that;
‘‘The operation process of  our recycling of  plastic 
is guided by the type of  plastic waste received and the 
machines available. The state of  the plastic waste materials 

obtained is dirty and as such plastics waste obtained are 
sorted and washed before the next processes follow’’ 
(Field Survey, May 2022).
On the processes involved in plastic waste recycling, 
plastic waste management companies further stated that
‘‘There are differences in processes used in recycling 
different plastic materials. The first group comprises of  
recycling HD, PE and PP plastics while the second group 
comprises of  recycling PET plastics’’ (Field Survey, May 
2022).
Plastic recycling companies in Kumasi described the 
process below; 
In order to recycle plastic waste, plastic recycling 
companies go through a six-stage process of  
1. Acquiring, 
2. Sorting, 
3. Washing, 
4. Agglomeration, 
5. Pelletizing
6. Sale of  plastic pellets. 

For companies who source their plastics from factory 
waste they omit the washing stage as the plastics are 
already clean. Some companies crush the plastics before 
washing them. Apart from these variations the process is 
similar for most of  the companies. 
The acquisition stage is made up of  the collection or 
weighing and buying of  plastic waste. Once the plastic 
waste has been acquired it is temporarily stored within the 
recycling plants and then the next stage which is sorting 
is carried out. 
The plastic waste is separated/sorted into either HD or 
LD or PP and each type of  plastic is processed differently. 
The separation of  plastics is carried out both manually 
and mechanically. Once the sorting has been carried out 
the plastics are then put into machines in order to wash 
them to get rid of  any impurities that are present in them.  
The next stage of  recycling is that the clean plastics 
undergo the process of  agglomeration. Agglomeration is 
a process in which the plastics are heated until they reach 
melting point. 
Once the plastics are in a melting state the final stage 
of  recycling process occurs. That is the pelletizing stage 
during which the plastics in a molten form are crushed 
into plastic pellets. Plastic pellets are the final product 
for some of  the companies and these pellets are sold to 
plastic product manufacturing companies to be used in 
the production of  plastic materials. 
While some companies export the plastic pellets to 
Europe and Asia other companies used the plastic pellets 
to produce black polythene bags of  different sizes. The 
polyethylene bags then become the final product which is 
sold to wholesalers for use in markets and grocery shops.

Operational Processes Carried Out By Kumasi 
Municipal Assembly (KMA)
When the official at the KMA was questioned about 
the Guidelines, strategies and operational processes 
for plastic waste management Kumasi, the officer 



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stated that;
‘‘There are few players in the plastic waste recycling 
business due to the capital intensive of  the business 
despite the existence of  policy document on plastic 
waste management. However the usage of  the 
guidelines in the National Plastic Waste Management 
by Plastic waste recycling companies is another 
challenge’’ (Field Survey, May 2022).
On the issue of  plastic recycling by KMA, the respondents 
indicated that;
‘‘The KMA is not involved in plastic recycling but 
responsible for the collection and final disposal of  plastic 
waste to the Oti landfill through their Waste Management 
Departments (WMDs) and their Environmental Health 
and Sanitation Units. KMA charge for final waste 
disposal from waste collectors and only incur cost for the 
maintenance of  the landfill site’’ (Field Survey, May 2022).

Knowledge level of  Waste Collectors on plastic waste 
management in Greater Kumasi
Since the activities of  waste collectors are mainly 
collection, transport and disposal, the waste collectors 
were tested on whether they have received training on 
their daily activities. Results on waste are shown in table 
1. More than two thirds of  the respondents 221(70.16%) 
indicated that they have not receive training on waste 
collection, transport and disposal. Of  those who have 
received training, most of  the respondents indicated that 
the source of  their training was from KMA 55(17.46%). 
This was followed by friends 10(3.17%), educational 
institutions 8(2.54%), television 5(1.59%), family and 
radio was 4(1.27%) each and colleague 3(0.95%). Like 
waste collection, transport and disposal, majority of  
the respondents 210(66.67%) again indicated that they 
have not receive education or briefing on plastic waste 
management of  the national plastic waste management. 

Table 1: Knowledge of  Waste Collectors on plastic waste management.
Knowledge Sources Frequency(n=315) Percentage(%) X2(P-value)
Waste collection, transport and disposal
No 221 70.16
Yes Family 4 1.27

Colleague 3 0.95 51.20(0.000)
Friend 10 3.17
Personal 5 15.80
KMA 55 17.46
Television 5 1.59
Radio 4 1.27
Educational institution 8 2.54

Plastic waste management policy training
No 210 66.67
Yes Brother 2 0.63 35.00(0.000)

Friend 9 2.86
KCARP 17 5.40
KMA 53 16.83
Educational institution 11 3.49
Television 7 2.22
Radio 6 1.90

Source: (Field Survey, 2022)

Similar like waste collection, transport and disposal, 
majority of  the respondents 53(16.83%) who had 
education on plastic waste management did receive 
from KMA. This was followed by Kumasi Compost and 
Recycling Plant Limited (KCARP) 17(5.40%), educational 
institution 11(3.49%), friend 9(2.86%), television 
7(2.22%), radio 6(1.90%) and brother 2(0.63%). There 
were significant differences (P=0.000) on the training on 
waste collection, transport and disposal and plastic waste 
management policy.

Evaluation of  Stakeholders on Policy Guidelines and 
Strategies on Plastic Waste Management in Kumasi 
Stakeholders used in this study were evaluated on the 
policy and strategies on plastic waste management 
based on knowledge, compliance and impact on the 
environment on a likert scale. KMA had high knowledge 
on policy and strategies on plastic waste management 
but low compliance and high impact of  their activities 
on the environment. KCARP on the other hand, had 
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Table 2: Stakeholders evaluation of  policy and strategies on plastic waste management in Kumasi.
Stakeholder Knowledge Compliance Impact
KMA Very High Low Very High
KCARP Very High Very High Low
Zoomlion High Low Low
Premier Waste Limited Average Low Average 
FG Recycling Plastics Limited Average Low Average
Sika Waste Management Average Low Average
Waste collectors Low Low High

Likert Scale: Very High (8-10), High (6-7), Average (5), Low (Below 5)

waste management, very high compliance and low 
impact of  their activities on the environment. Premier 
Waste Limited, FG Recycling Plastics Limited and 
Sika Waste Management had average knowledge on 
policy and strategies on plastic waste management, low 
compliance and average impact of  their activities on the 
environment. Plastic waste collectors had low knowledge 
and compliance on plastic waste management and their 
activities have high impact on the environment.

DISCUSSION 
Guidelines/Policies, Strategies and Operational 
Processes for Plastic Waste Management
Plastic Waste Management Companies
While plastic waste recycling is generally acknowledge as 
the way to go in reducing this menace, the involvement 
of  state institutions in this endeavour is lacking as seen 
in the case of  KMA in this study. The general guidelines 
concerning the management of  plastic waste in Ghana 
are embodied in the Local Government Act of  1994 (Act 
462) and the Environmental Sanitation Policy (ESP) of  
1999, revised in 2008 (Owusu-Sekyere et al., 2013).  This 
has further been revised. Nkwachukwu (2013) stated that 
the common types of  plastics recycled in developing 
countries are polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene 
(PS) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC). The findings of  the 
study show that PE, PP and PET are the types of  plastics 
that are recycled in Kumasi. This is primarily due to the 
fact that the technology that is available in Kumasi can 
only recycle these types of  plastics. The operational 
processes of  plastic waste management companies in 
Kumasi in the plastic waste management are into six 
steps.

Operational Processes Carried out by Kumasi 
Municipal Assembly (KMA)
The KMA is not involved in plastic recycling but 
responsible for the collection and final disposal of  plastic 
waste to the Oti landfill through their Waste Management 
Departments (WMDs) and their Environmental Health 
and Sanitation Units. KMA charge for final waste 
disposal from waste collectors and only incur cost for 
the maintenance of  the landfill site. Environmental 
Protection Agency (EPA) has the regulatory authority 
however; general solid waste management in Ghana is 

the responsibility of  the Ministry of  Local Government 
and Rural Development, which supervises the 
decentralized Metropolitan, Municipal and District 
Assemblies (MMDAs). The MMDAs are responsible 
for the collection and final disposal of  plastic waste 
through their Waste Management Departments (WMDs) 
and their Environmental Health and Sanitation Units. 
Owusu-Sekyere et al., (2013) stated that the EPA Act 490 
was the enabling legislation and, with regard to plastic 
waste management, it enables the Minister in charge of  
Environment to make regulations concerning the type, 
quality or conditions or concentration of  substances that 
may be released into the environment; and the collection, 
storage, recovery, recycling or disposal of  substances 
which may be hazardous to the environment.

Waste Collectors’ on Plastic Waste Management in 
Kumasi
Waste collectors primarily are involved in the collection, 
transport and final disposal of  waste. Waste and waste 
picking have thus been interpreted under different 
corpora of  the literature, including: social movements,(4) 
environmental and sanitation engineering,(5) 
political economy,(6) informal economy,(7) urban 
anthropology,(8) sustainability studies,(9) participatory 
governance,(10) ecological modernization theories,(11) 
urban geography(12) and gender.(13) (Dias, 2016). Waste 
collectors in this study see their daily activities as a form 
of  waste management purposely for environmental 
and sanitation engineering. Knowledge is important in 
waste handling. Waste management education for waste 
collectors was low as majority of  them have not receive 
training on waste handling in terms of  collection and 
transport in Greater Kumasi. The greater number of  the 
waste pickers lacking knowledge on waste management 
implies that they are not aware of  the existence of  the 
national plastic waste management policy. This has 
detrimental effect on waste management in greater 
Kumasi as there would be poor handling of  plastic waste 
leading to hazardous effect. 

Stakeholders Evaluation on Policy And Strategies on 
Plastic Waste Management in Kumasi
Evaluation on policy and strategies on plastic waste 
management in Kumasi is important to reveal the level 



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of  passivity on existing policies. Different stakeholders 
used in this study had different outcome from the policy 
and strategies.  KMA recorded high knowledge on policy 
and strategies on plastic waste management but low 
compliance and high impact of  their activities on the 
environment. The result of  high knowledge on policy and 
strategies on plastic waste management is attributed to the 
level of  educational background of  KMA officials and 
engagement with government agencies such as Ministry 
of  Environment and EPA on issues pertaining to plastic 
waste. Again the low level of  KMA on compliance on 
plastic waste can be ascribed to the fact that KMA is not 
directly involve in plastic recycling and as such receives 
plastic waste on the Oti landfill in Kumasi. Such open 
dumping has high impact on the environment owing 
from chemicals from the plastic and non-degradable of  
plastics. Plastic waste recycling company like KCARP 
on the other hand, had very high knowledge on policy 
and strategies on plastic waste management, very high 
compliance and low impact of  their activities on the 
environment. High knowledge like that of  KCARP is 
attributed to educational level of  workers at the company. 
The high level of  compliance is due to plastic waste 
recycling activities carried out at the company to reduce 
the menace of  plastic waste. This is thorough pelletizing 
of  plastics receives from waste collectors and as such 
their activities had no impact on the environment. Other 
recycling companies such as Premier Waste Limited, FG 
Recycling Plastics Limited and Sika Waste Management 
had average knowledge on policy and strategies on plastic 
waste management, low compliance and average impact 
of  their activities on the environment. the underlying 
reason accounting for this is due to some average level of  
education receive on plastic waste management and low 
level of  engagement from government on plastic waste 
policy and strategies. Most of  these waste collectors had 
not received training on plastic waste management and 
had low educational level. Their activities which involve 
the usage of  tricycle to carry plastic waste somehow end 
some of  the gathered and transported plastic waste on 
the highways since the vehicle used is not designed for 
waste transport.

CONCLUSION
Plastic waste management is a challenge in Kumasi one 
of  the fastest-growing cities in Ghana and Africa at large. 
There is daily huge generation of  municipal waste with 
plastic waste management improperly disposed in and 
around the city of  Kumasi. The results revealed that the 
stakeholders were aware of  the national plastic waste 
policy. Despite the existence of  guidelines in the form 
of  National Plastic Waste Management Policy, knowledge 
level on it is very low and the operational process for plastic 
waste management is based on the recycling machines. 
The results further revealed that there were different 
roles of  stakeholders in plastic waste management. KMA 
and other government institutions involved in waste 
management must take steps by supervising the day-to-

day activities of  plastic recycling companies and waste 
collectors to regulate the activities of  companies within 
the plastic recycling industry. This is to ensure that the 
activities that are carried out within this sector are legal 
and that companies comply with the entire regulated 
framework. Smaller-scale plastic recycling companies 
should consider creating an association for big players in 
the industry. This will enable them to communicate with 
a unified voice on issues that are of  concern to them. 
By forming an association they will also be able to build 
a strong reputation for the plastic recycling industry in 
Ghana.

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