RECOVERING CLEAN ENERGY FROM HOUSEHOLD WASTE: THE CASE OF DOUALA IV MUNICIPALITY, LITTORAL REGION, CAMEROON

Abstract

Solid waste management (SWM) is one thing every city government provides for its residents. However, low collection coverage, operational inefficiencies, lack of suitable disposal and treatment facilities are responsible for unsatisfactory SWM. Consequently, communities faced with improper hygiene and energy inefficiencies have resorted to recovered energy from waste. This study used the institutional analysis and development framework on the waste recovery approach to review the model for achieving energy sufficiency from household solid waste in the Douala IV Municipality, Littoral Region of Cameroon. It specifically analysed waste and energy benefits alongside the potentials of municipal SWM. The study, (i) identified and classified household waste generation; (ii) assessed household energy supply sources; (iii) analysed benefits derived from biogas generation, and (iv) assessed environmental status based on environmental hygiene and sanitation. Households were randomly selected, participatory rural appraisal (PRA) tool and registers from health centres were employed to obtain relevant data, and this was complemented by field observation. Collected data were analysed using descriptive statistics of simple percentages presented in tables and figures and inferential statistics of student’s t-test. The result indicated that energy recovered from household waste, improved clean energy supplies; generated employment; increased income; created waste recovery value chain; clean environment, regeneration of wetland; reduction in mosquitoes and water borne diseases. Student t-test revealed a significant difference (t = −3.08, P = 0.006) of household energy supply before and after recovering energy from household waste. Engaging in municipal SWM has enabled 8.5% of communities to improve their livelihood, enhance energy efficiency, good health and decent environment. The study recommends municipal authorities to involve communities in the management of solid waste.