Assessing public involvement and service gaps in Ghana’s tricycle waste collection system

Purpose The use of tricycle waste collection services has become an essential component of solid waste management, particularly in densely populated and low-income communities. The growing demand for improved waste collection services has led to an increased focus on understanding households' willingness to pay for better service quality. This study explores the operation of tricycle waste operators, public involvement and households' willingness to pay for improved services. Design/methodology/approach This study employed a sequential mixed-methods approach, with a multi-stage sampling technique and randomly selected 385 respondents from five traditional communities in the Greater Kumasi Metropolitan Area (GKMA), Ghana, as a case study. Findings The study reveals that in the GKMA, waste management operates on a volume-based pricing system, where higher waste volumes result in increased disposal costs, encouraging waste reduction. However, regulatory gaps and inconsistent service delivery, particularly in low-income areas, impact efficiency and public health. Most households expressed a willingness to pay more for improved services, with factors such as education, employment status, household income and challenges with the current tricycle waste collection system positively influencing this willingness to pay. Originality/value This study provides the key factors influencing WTP for improved tricycle waste collection in Greater Kumasi, Ghana, to address the gaps in regulation, service inconsistencies and promote sustainable waste management practices.