Page 1 of 13

Journal for Studies in Management and Planning

Available at http://internationaljournalofresearch.org/index.php/JSMaP

e-ISSN: 2395-0463

Volume 01 Issue 09

October 2015

Available online: http://internationaljournalofresearch.org/ P a g e | 321

A waste composition study at the waste treatment centre

(WTC) of Douala, Cameroon: Challenges and perspectives

Lawrence O. Mbeng* and Minkoumou M. Serges Mathurin

The University of Douala, Institute of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences at Yabassi, PO Box

7236, Douala, Cameroon

*Corresponding author: b23obenmbeng@yahoo.fr

ABSTRACT

The aim of this research paper is to

evaluate the treatment and post treatment

of municipal solid waste (MSW) at the

WTC in Douala. The methodology

consisted of a waste composition study

using direct observation and mechanical

and electronic balance. The study included

MSW from the five municipalities of

Douala (I, II, III, IV and V), with two waste

collection trucks from each municipality as

targets for a period of seven to nine days.

The results of this research study showed

that the composition of the MSW from the

5 municipalities were predominantly

organic in nature with Douala V

municipality (26, 99%), Douala III (26,

42%), Douala IV (25, 75%), Douala II (23,

68%). Although Douala I municipality had

the lowest organic waste fraction, there

was a predominance of recyclables when

compared to others with plastics (17,

15%); paper/carton (16, 19%) and metal

(7, 42%). The results gave us a clue as to

the importance of a waste composition

study, a pre-requisite for the adoption of

treatment methods (recycling, composting

and landfill) and post treatment methods

(biogas capture and leachate disposal).

Keywords: Waste treatment centre, solid

waste composition, waste treatment, post

treatment

1. INTRODUCTION

Increasing population levels, thriving

economy, rapid urbanization and the rise in

living standards have greatly speed up the

municipal solid waste generation rate in

developing countries (Minghua et al.,

2009). Municipalities, usually responsible

for waste treatment and post treatment in

the cities, have the challenge to provide an

effective and efficient system to the

inhabitants. However, they often face

problems beyond the ability of the

municipal authority (Sujauddin et al.,

2008) mainly due to lack of organization,

financial resources, complexity and system

multi dimensionality (Burntley, 2007).

According to (Rotich et al., 2005), the

primary aim of solid waste management

is to protect the health of the population,

promote environmental quality, develop

sustainability and give support to economic

productivity through the use of waste as

a resource. The Cameroon law N°96/12

of August 5, 1996 relative to

Page 2 of 13

Journal for Studies in Management and Planning

Available at http://internationaljournalofresearch.org/index.php/JSMaP

e-ISSN: 2395-0463

Volume 01 Issue 09

October 2015

Available online: http://internationaljournalofresearch.org/ P a g e | 322

environmental management in Cameroon

makes a distinction between wastes

management and the ecological

management of wastes. The first refers to

the collection, transport, recycling and

elimination of wastes , while the second

refers to all the practical methods put in

place so that wastes generated is done in a

manner that safeguards public health and

the environment. It is on this basis that the

National strategy for wastes management

in Cameroon (2007-2015) makes a

distinction between waste origin (1)

municipal or urban wastes (2) industrial

wastes (3) agricultural wastes (4) specific

wastes and its nature (1) organic waste (2)

inert waste (3) packaging waste (4)

dangerous waste.

The Cameroon law N°96/12 of August 5,

1996 and the National strategy for wastes

management in Cameroon (2007-2015),

recognize the importance of many actors in

municipal wastes management in

Cameroon. With regards to Douala, the

main stakeholders can be grouped into two

broad categories (1) Decentralized services

in government departments (Table 1) and

private sector organizations (Table 2).

Table 1: Waste management actors in Cameroon. Source: National strategy for waste

management in Cameroon 2007 –2015), DRAFT V 04/09/200810:52:49.

Areas of

intervention

DECENTRALIZED SERVICES

Ministry of mines, water and energy and

technological development

Ministry of Urban Development and Habitat

Ministry of Territorial Administration and

Decentralization

Ministry of Public Health

Ministry

of the Environment, Nature Protection and

Sustainable Development

International

Partners

Ministry of Finance

Municipalities

MAGZI

Entreprise

Administrative authorities

Non Governmental Organisations

Households

Coordination

of

interventions

and

definition of

tasks in the

management

X X X X X X

Page 3 of 13

Journal for Studies in Management and Planning

Available at http://internationaljournalofresearch.org/index.php/JSMaP

e-ISSN: 2395-0463

Volume 01 Issue 09

October 2015

Available online: http://internationaljournalofresearch.org/ P a g e | 323

of different

waste types

Define

objectives

X X X X X

Elaboration

of the rules

and

standards

X X X X X

Implantation

of treatment

sites

X X X

Technical

control of

projects

X X X X X

Project

financing

X X X

Recycling

and reuse of

waste

X

Project

execution

X X

Control of

work sites

and

equipments

X X X X X

Reception

and transfer

of

equipments

X

Sensitization

of population

X X X X X X

Control and

monitoring of

populations

X X X X X

Pre- collection

and

collection of

waste

X

Table 2: Private sector organizations involved in solid waste management in Douala

Name of organization Area of specialization in waste management

HYSACAM Recycling (Collection and treatment of household

solid waste)

HYSACAM /Brasseries du

Cameroun (Partnership)

Recyclng (Collection of used plastic bottles)

Collection and treatment of industrial waste