Solid Waste Management in the Tourism Sector of Ghana. A Study of Selected Hotels in Ho the Regional Capital of Volta Region.

Abstract

The rapid growth of the tourism sector throughout the World and change in life style has increased waste generation in hotels, which Ghana is no exception. Management of solid waste is an efficient method to increase resource efficiency thus material and energy recovery instead of landfill disposal. Various governments in Ghana have made several attempts as how waste generated in Ghana could be managed  yet waste management and disposal has become a topic for debate in Ghana due to accumulation of waste in open areas. Moreover, there are a number of strategies, technologies, procedures employed in different parts of the World about solid waste management.  To date little or no research has been conducted in this area in the tourism sector of Ghana. Thus, the present paper attempts to investigate how solid waste generated in hotels are processed and managed using selected hotels in Ho the capital of Volta Region.  Data was collected from 150 hotel staff employed in the various sections of the hotels.

Results, from the study revealed that  waste such as bones, food leftovers and vegetables peels, rubber, paper, plastic and bottles were disposed in dustbins and  later on  collected by waste management company and deposited at landfill site. Sometimes paper, plastic and rubber were incinerated. Recycling and other methods of waste disposal were not implemented. The conclusion  drawn was   lack of  proper disposal of solid waste  at  landfill areas by waste companies in Ghana and burning of waste do not only creates conducive environment for pests like flies, rats and others but also pollutes the ecosystem and  health hazards. There is the need for constant training and educating of staff of hotels on solid waste management and the use of more advance technology.

Keywords: Waste management, Tourism, Solid waste, landfill, Ecosystem, Recycling