Effects of Poor Sanitation and Waste Management on the Environment

Internship Report from the year 2024 in the subject Environmental Sciences - Climate and environmental protection, University of Applied Sciences Eberswalde (Faculty of Forest and Environment), course: Master of Science Global Change Management, language: English, abstract: The management of sanitation and solid waste is a critical aspect of modern urban living, yet its significance often goes unnoticed until environmental crises emerge. The impact of poor sanitation and inadequate solid waste management on the environment is a matter of global concern. This issue transcends geographical boundaries and affects both developed and developing nations, albeit in varying degrees. Poor solid waste management is a major contributor to environmental pollution. Improper disposal of solid waste, including plastics, metals, and hazardous materials, leads to the release of harmful pollutants into the air, soil, and water bodies . Solid waste management is a pressing environmental concern in Ghana, a developing country in West Africa, due to the exponential growth of urban centers and industrial activities in recent years. As a result, waste generation has increased significantly, leading to several environmental degradation, health, and socio-economic challenges. The lack of proper collection, recycling facilities, and public awareness campaigns has exacerbated the problem. Greater Accra, the vibrant heart of Ghana, is comprises of communities that represent a microcosm of the larger problem, each with its own unique challenges and characteristics. From the sprawling neighborhoods of Accra, the bustling marketplaces of the central business district, to the tranquil coastal community of Chorkor, which is the study area, the solid waste issue reverberates differently, yet equally impactfully, through the lives of residents. Like many fishing communities, Chorkor faces challenges such as environmental degradation, inadequate social infrastructure, air pollution and waste management infrastructure, and limited access to clean water and sanitation facilities, particularly in areas close to the sea.