Comparative analysis of the effectiveness and efficiency of formal and informal waste collectors in urban waste management system

Effective and efficient waste collection and management is critical to achieving sustainable cities and communities, public health, and sustainable development. This notwithstanding, the rapid and ever-increasing rate of urban waste generation in developing countries has led to the emergence of a dual system of formal and informal waste collection schemes with unclear effectiveness and efficiency. This study compared the operational effectiveness and efficiency of formal and informal waste collectors in the urban waste management system in Ghana. A case study research design is employed with a focus on households and waste collectors in the Suame Municipality in the Ashanti of Ghana. Data were collected through questionnaire administration and interviews, waste quantification, and field measurements. The findings reveal that 61.5 % of households rely on informal waste collectors, 35 % on formal waste collectors and 3.5 % use indiscriminate dumping. The formal waste collectors were more effective serving 111 households and collecting 11.239 tonnes of waste per trip but utilises 62 % of their collection capacity while the informal sector collects 846.67 kg per trip and uses 106 % of their collection capacity. Formal waste collectors were also more efficient with the use of time. The study unveils an opportunity to enhance effectiveness and efficiency in municipal waste management in low- and middle-income countries with reforms and practices that build upon existing waste management practices and integrate informal waste collectors into formal waste management systems.