Effective waste management remains a significant challenge in developing countries, where inadequate waste disposal practices pose substantial environmental and health risks. In response, waste segregation and recycling have emerged as promising strategies for mitigating these issues. This study investigated the effectiveness of waste segregation and recycling initiatives, focusing on the University of Environment and Sustainable Development and neighbouring educational institutions within the Krobo Municipalities of Ghana. The study employed a mixed-methods approach. Descriptive statistics (frequency and percentages) were used to describe the quantitative data, while thematical analysis was used to interpret the qualitative data. The findings indicated that the implementation of a waste segregation strategy on campus resulted in a 50% reduction in waste management costs within six months, alongside additional benefits including the enhancement of the university’s natural environment and improvements in the environmental behavior of students and staff. Furthermore, the initiative fostered environmental awareness and education among surrounding educational institutions, which subsequently adopted waste segregation practices and began to realize benefits, thereby highlighting the positive impact of environmentally responsible actions. The study’s results demonstrate the viability of waste segregation in educational institutions, highlighting its potential to promote sustainable waste management practices and environmental stewardship.
Cite this paper
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