Food packaging materials serve as a means of protecting, distributing and marketing foods. When the wastes from these packaging materials are not properly managed, they affect the environment in several ways. This study was conducted to assess the different materials for packaging local foods, their environmental effects, and the management of the waste from these packaging materials in the Birim Central Municipality, Ghana. Data were collected using a semi- structured questionnaire administered to 300 randomly selected respondents. Data collection was complemented with field observation at public places and analyzed using SPSS version 16 software package. Results showed that about 9 out of 10 (88%) of the respondents used plastics for packaging local foods. A large percentage (85%) of the respondents did not practice source separation of the packaging waste prior to disposal. More than half (53.7%) of the respondents dumped the waste into communal waste containers, about one-third (33.3%) burnt the waste, and few (13.0%) buried the waste in the soil. Most of the respondents, 9 out of 10 (95%) reduced waste generation, 41.2% of the respondents reused plastic packaging materials to repackage other food and non-food items, and 32% sent the waste to recycling companies. Plastics packaging waste deteriorated the natural beauty of the environment and blocked sewage drains.

1. Environmental effects and waste management practices of materials for local food packaging in the Birim Central Municipal, Ghana
JEWM
Environmental effects and waste management practices
of materials for local food packaging in the Birim Central
Municipal, Ghana.
*Emmanuel Awusi1 and Sampson Kyei2
1Department of Environmental Science, Garden City University College, Kumasi, Ghana.
2Department of Chemical Engineering, Kumasi Technical University, Kumasi, Ghana.
Food packaging materials serve as a means of protecting, distributing and marketing foods. When
the wastes from these packaging materials are not properly managed, they affect the environment
in several ways. This study was conducted to assess the different materials for packaging local
foods, their environmental effects, and the management of the waste from these packaging
materials in the Birim Central Municipality, Ghana. Data were collected using a semi- structured
questionnaire administered to 300 randomly selected respondents. Data collection was
complemented with field observation at public places and analyzed using SPSS version 16
software package. Results showed that about 9 out of 10 (88%) of the respondents used plastics
for packaging local foods. A large percentage (85%) of the respondents did not practice source
separation of the packaging waste prior to disposal. More than half (53.7%) of the respondents
dumped the waste into communal waste containers, about one-third (33.3%) burnt the waste, and
few (13.0%) buried the waste in the soil. Most of the respondents, 9 out of 10 (95%) reduced waste
generation, 41.2% of the respondents reused plastic packaging materials to repackage other food
and non-food items, and 32% sent the waste to recycling companies. Plastics packaging waste
deteriorated the natural beauty of the environment and blocked sewage drains.
Key words: Local food, packaging material, environmental effects, waste management.
INTRODUCTION
Food packaging can be achieved using a variety of
materials including the rigid metals cans, aluminum foils,
glass bottles, plastics canisters and squeeze bottles
(British Plastics Federation (BPF), 2006; Jindal, 2010;
Oladepo et al., 2011; Igba and Onaga, 2015). Other
packaging materials include flexible plastic pouches, rigid
board, paper and wood products (Adejumo and Ola, 2008;
International Trade Centre (ITC), 2012; Food and
Agriculture Organization (FAO), 2014). Food packaging is
an essential medium for preserving the food quality and
minimising food wastage (World Packaging Organisation
(WPO), 2012). Packaging also protects food products from
outside influences and damage, keeps the food fresh, and
provides consumers with ingredient and nutritional
information (Coles, 2003; Fobil and Hogar, 2006). In spite
of these, some of the waste from the packaging materials
have been shown to cause significant risks to human
health and the environment (Halden, 2010; Chelsea, 2012;
Oduma, 2013).
*Corresponding author: Emmanuel Awusi, Department
of Environmental Science, Garden City University College,
Kumasi, Ghana. Email: awusi.k.emmanuel@gmail.com
Co-Author Email: wisekyei@gmail.com
Journal of Environment and Waste Management
Vol. 4(3), pp. 244-252, October, 2017. © www.premierpublishers.org. ISSN: XXXX-XXXX
Research Article

2. Environmental effects and waste management practices of materials for local food packaging in the Birim Central Municipal, Ghana
Awusi and Kyei. 245
In Ghana, there are a number of materials for packaging
different types of locally produced fresh and ready-to-eat
foods. These include broad leaves, paper, plastic bags,
glass jars and bottles, glass sided boxes, cane baskets,
and jute or woven plastic sacks (Johnson and Obiri, 2000;
Cobbinah, 2010, Oladepo et al., 2015). However, these
materials offer very little protection to perishable food
products and are unsuitable for efficient handling and
transportation (Salami, 2002).
Plastic bags are widely used to transport food (Rayne,
2008), and have become very popular with consumers and
retailers (Adane and Muleta, 2011; Gyapomaa, 2013) due
to their functionality, strength, and low cost (Clapp and
Swanston 2009). Most fresh and ready-to-eat foods in
Ghana are packaged in plastic bags for sale and are easily
discarded after a single use. This has resulted in the
accumulation of plastic wastes in the environment thereby
reducing its aesthetic appeal (Anthony, 2003). The
continuous use of plastic bags in Ghana is of much
concern, since existing waste management infrastructure
is not able to adequately deal with the increasing levels in
the system ( Gyapomaa, 2013).
The environmental effects and waste management of food
packaging materials have been studied by many
researchers (Odunze et al., 2004; Odunze et al., 2008;
Chelsea, 2012), but, most of these studies have
concentrated on industrially processed foods using
packaging materials such as glass, metal, plastic, paper,
and paperboard (Marsh and Bugusu, 2007; Risch, 2009;
Pasqualino et al., 2011; Claudio, 2012). However, very
little, if any have been done to investigate the
environmental effects and management of materials for
packaging local food in Ghana. Meanwhile, the
management of plastic waste has become a major source
of worry for municipal authorities in Ghana. This present
study was carried out in the Birim Central Municipal in the
Eastern region of Ghana to help fill this knowledge gap.
The main aim was to assess the different materials used
for packaging local foods (fresh or cooked), their
environmental effects and the management of the waste
from these packaging materials. The study was designed
to ascertain the types of material used in the packaging of
local foods, evaluate the effects of the packaging waste on
the environment, and the management of the packaging
waste. The outcome, the authors believe, would go a long
way in helping policy makers and stakeholders in
addressing the problem of solid waste management in
Ghana. The findings may also be useful to appropriate
authorities attempting to determine the various waste
management options for the different types of solid waste.
METHODOLOGY
This present study was carried out in Akyem Oda, the
capital of the Birim Central Municipal, in the Eastern
Region of Ghana. It lies between latitudes 05o 55’ 29.89’’
N and longitude 00o 58’’55.78’’ W of Ghana (Figure 1.) The
field survey was undertaken in February, 2017 using a
Figure 1: Map of Birim Central Municipal showing the study location.
(Source: Osei-Bonsu, 2017)

3. Environmental effects and waste management practices of materials for local food packaging in the Birim Central Municipal, Ghana
J. Environ. Waste Manag. 246
semi-structured questionnaire. Data were collected from
300 respondents from different households randomly
selected within Akyem Oda. The randomly selected
households were in a distance of about 200 m far from
each other. At least one member (aged 15 years and
above) from each household visited was picked randomly
for the study irrespective of the sex, level of education and
occupation. Data were obtained on the types of common
material used to package local food by individuals in their
households and also for sale by retailers prior to
consumption, their effects on the environment, and waste
management practices. To complement the data collected
through questionnaire, visits to suburbs and public places
were undertaken to have an in-depth knowledge and
understanding of the local food packaging materials waste
management situation. The data collected were
statistically analyzed using SPSS version 16 software
package.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Table 1 shows the demographic characteristics of
respondents involved in this study. A little more than half
(51.3%) of respondents were females, mostly within 15
and 25 age bracket, probably because a greater proportion
of the population was found within that age bracket (Ghana
Statistical Service, 2014). Close to half (44%) of
respondents had secondary education (Senior High
School), while 7% were illiterates.
The results of our study also indicated that, 41.7% of the
respondents were students, 6 % were unemployed, 27.3
% were self employed, and 25 % were employed by the
Government sector (Table 1). Majority of the working class
were employed by the informal sector, and most of them
especially women were engaged in the trade, especially in
food items (Ghana Statistical Service, 2014).
The commonly used and preferred packaging material
Out of the 300 respondents, 264 (88%) of them used
plastics mostly bags, 20(6.7%) used glass, 11(3.7%) used
paper, and 5 (1.7%) used leaves to package local foods
(Table 2). The largest proportion of the respondents for
plastics may be due to their cheap price, easy availability
and light weight (Clapp and Swanston, 2009; Moharam et
al., 2014), and this information reveals that majority of the
respondents use plastic bags to package foods. This
observation agrees with a survey results which states that,
majority of the city residents of Sana in Yemen widely used
plastic bags in their daily life activities (Moharam et al.,
2014).
Leaves were the least packaging materials used because
they were probably not readily available in the major cities
and towns, and they were perceived to be unhygienic
(Mensah et al., 2012). Plastics also formed almost half
(47.7%) of the preferred packaging material probably
because the improved food safety associated with plastic
technologies (Haleegoah et al., 2015.) This result is similar
to that from a survey conducted by Chaudhuri (2016) in
which majority of the respondents used and preferred
plastic bags because they get it free from tomato vendors.
Verghese et al., (2006) also reported that light-weight,
cheap prices, excellent fitness for use and resource
efficiency are main reasons for widespread utilization of
plastic bags by billions of customers throughout the world.
Similarly, Li et al., (2010) showed that the modern society
have high preference for plastic bags over other possible
alternatives. However, although leaves were the least
used packaging material, they were preferred by about a
quarter (23.7%) of the respondents because they are
medicinal, environmentally friendly, of relatively low cost,
and not toxic (Mensah et al., 2012).
Environmental effects of packaging waste
According to all the respondents, the packaging materials
negatively affected the environment, with plastic mostly
Table 1: Demographic characteristics of respondents (N=300)
Profile Category Frequency Percentage
Gender
Females 154 51.3
Males 146 48.7
Age
Distribution
15-25 141 47
26-36 85 28.3
37-47 41 13.7
48 and above 33 11.0
Highest
educational level
Illiterate 21 7.0
Primary 15 5.0
JHS 74 24.7
SHS 132 44.0
Tertiary 58 19.3
Occupation
Student 125 41.7
Gov’t Employed 75 25.0
Self Employed 82 27.3
Unemployed 18 6.0
JHS - Junior High School SHS Senior High School
(Source: Field survey, 2017)

4. Environmental effects and waste management practices of materials for local food packaging in the Birim Central Municipal, Ghana
Awusi and Kyei. 247
Table 2. The commonly used and preferred material for local food packaging (N=300)
Packaging material
Most used material Preferred material
Frequency Percentage Frequency Percentage
Plastic 264 88 143 47.7
Glass 20 6.7 43 14.3
Paper 11 3.7 43 14.3
Leaves 5 1.7 71 23.7
Total 300 100 300 100
Figure 2. Major effects of the packaging waste according to survey respondents
Table 3. Distribution of packaging materials which affect the environment
Packaging material Frequency Percentage
Plastic 281 93.7
Glass 17 5.7
Paper 2 0.7
Total 300 100
bags being the highest culprit (93.7%), followed by glass
(5.7%), and paper (0.7%) (Table 3). Similarly, other cities
of developing countries have several problems associated
with plastic bag wastes. (Girum, 2005; Boadi and
Kuitunen, 2005; Seema, 2008). Among the major
environmental effects of the packaging material were
blockage of sewage drains (36.7%), human health
problems (27.7%), deterioration of natural beauty (littering)
(25.3%), water pollution (5.3 %), animal death (2.7%) and
non-biodegradability (2.3 %) (Figure 2.) These hazards
affirm the report on environmental problems of plastic bag
wastes in other countries (UNEP, 2005b). The observation
that plastic bags lead to the blockage the drainage system
is similar to other reports by (Seema, 2008; Chaudhuri,
2016).
Plastic bags (especially those wastes containing food
leftovers), are eaten by cows which results in
complications of digestive system and health of animals
(Adane and Muleta 2011; Chaudhuri, 2016) and this could
lead to death of the animal if it is not treated timely
(Edwards, 2000; World Watch, 2004; Forum for
Environment, 2010). The impacts of plastic bag waste on
human health are perhaps the most serious of the effects
associated with plastic bags (Gyapomaa, 2013). The
accumulation of plastic waste in drainage system in the
cities prevents the free flow of water, thereby creating
breeding grounds for vectors of various diseases.
Plastic waste littering is common in most cities in
developing countries. Once they become litter, they find
their way into waterways, parks, beaches, and streets
(Chaudhuri, 2016). Plastic bags can be carried by wind
from where they are dumped to distant places. This is due
to their negligible weight and structure which makes it
possible for them to be filled up with air just like balloons,
and get blown and dispersed over large areas (Mangizvo,
2012). This is supported by the observation that, there was
plastic waste littering at places like market, lorry parks and
crowded residential areas in the municipality, especially in

5. Environmental effects and waste management practices of materials for local food packaging in the Birim Central Municipal, Ghana
J. Environ. Waste Manag. 248
Figure 3. Accumulation or littering of plastic waste in a residential area.
Table 4. Distribution of the 3Rs principles in waste management used by respondents.
Reduce Reuse Recycle
Frequency Percentage frequency Percentage Frequency Percentage
Yes 285 95 125 41.7 96 32.0
No 15 5 175 58.3 204 68.0
Total 300 100 300 100 300 100
the afternoon when there are intense human activities
(Figure 3). Moreover, littering of the environment with
plastics also causes environmental nuisance and reduces
the aesthetic beauty of the environment (Addaney and
Oppong, 2015). Plastic waste after disposal finds its way
to various parts of the environment including water bodies
and soils thereby posing a threat to aquatic life, and
reducing crop production respectively.). As the plastics
bag are non-biodegradable and almost non-compostable,
they create disposal problems (Oladepo et al..2015).
Reduce, Reuse and Recycle of the packaging waste.
The 3Rs principle (Reduce, Reuse and Recycle) in waste
management was adopted by individual households. From
this study, 285 (95%) of the respondents reduced waste
generation while 15 (5%) did not (Table 4). The main
reason respondents cited for reducing waste generation
was the protection of the environment. Source reduction
encompasses using less packaging, designing products to
last longer, and reusing products and materials (EPA,
2002). Notably, 125 (41.2%) reused the packaging
materials many times, whereas 175 (58.3%) did not reuse
the materials (Table 4). Some plastic bottles and
containers which had already being used to package food
and water were washed, sterilized by heat, and were used
again to package other food and non-food items. This does
not compromise the health of individuals because boiling
at 100 oC for 10 minutes is usually enough to achieve
sterility, provided that microorganisms are not present in
high concentrations; in fact most bacteria are killed at
about 70 ◦C (Hogg, 2005). A plastic bag can be reused for
shopping, and reuse is the key to reducing the
environmental impact of any kind of bag (Fullana, 2008;
Mudgal et al., 2011).
Also, 96 (32.0%) sent the recyclable component of the
waste from the packaging material to recycling companies
while 204(68%) did not. Although the recycling of plastics
poses major logistical difficulties, including effective
sorting and the mixing of different plastic streams affecting
the resultant post-consumer (Emily and Rolf, 2014).Some
individuals sorted out plastic wastes and sell them to
agents of recycling companies to be recycled in Accra, the
capital city of Ghana, since there is currently no waste
recycling plant or company in Akim oda. Only an
estimated 2 percent of the plastic waste generated is
recycled in Ghana, the remaining 98 percent find itself in
the waste Management Companies, or in the street, drain
pipes and water bodies polluting urban areas and clogging
drain systems (Sabutey, 2016).

6. Environmental effects and waste management practices of materials for local food packaging in the Birim Central Municipal, Ghana
Awusi and Kyei. 249
Table 5. Separation and disposal methods for the packaging waste
Frequency Percentage
Waste separation Yes 45 15
No 255 85
Disposal Method Dumping 161 53.7
Burning 100 33.3
Burying 39 13.0
Table 6. Banning of plastic packaging materials and alternatives to plastics
Frequency Percentage
Ban on plastic Yes 206 68.7
No 94 31.3
Alternatives
to plastics
Paper 137 45.7
Jute 71 23.7
Cloth 85 28.3
Cane 7 2.3
Waste separation and disposal
Prior to disposal, house hold solid waste is either kept in
the same bin or separated into different bins. From our
study, majority 255(85%) of the respondents kept the
waste in the same container, while 45 (15%) separate
them into different containers (Table 5). Respondents did
not see the importance of separating the waste because
there were no separate containers to collect the waste at
the point of disposal. The results also indicated that,
161(53.7%) of respondents dispose the waste into
communal waste containers, 100 (33.3%) burn the waste
where possible, and 39 (13%) also burry the waste (Table
5). The fact that majority of the respondents dispose their
packaging waste in communal waste containers is
probably because these containers are placed at vantage
points in the municipality (Addaney and Oppong, 2015), a
common practice in low income communities in Ghana.
The communal containers are eventually carried by
vehicles to a dump site. This observation is however
different from that of the study by (Gyapomaa, 2013) in
Tema, Ghana where majority of the respondents
employed the service of the solid waste companies which
collect solid waste from their residence. Also, the planned
communities with well laid out streets in Tema make trucks
that collect the waste accessible to most parts in the
community (Gyapomaa, 2013). Burning of plastics and
paper waste was a common practice by individuals in
Akyem Oda, and this reduces the volume of waste in the
environment. Burning of plastics introduces toxic fumes
into the environment leading to health risks, such as
respiratory health problems (Boadi and Kuitunen, 2005;
Rayne, 2008), and the emissions of greenhouse gas that
cause climate change (Vehrgese et al., 2006; Muthu et al.,
2011). Thus, the public should be discouraged about
burning as a method of disposal because of its negative
effects on the environment and human health. The
smallest proportion 39 (13%) bury the waste probably
because burying is an old method which is gradually fading
out in most cities (Gyapomaa, 2013).
Banning of plastic packaging material
Although plastics were the most used and preferred
materials to package local foods in the Birim Central
Municipality, majority, 206 (68.7%) of the respondents
were of the view that they should be banned because of
their negative impacts on the environment, while 94
(31.3%) of them opposed that, citing economic reasons
(Table 6). This observation supports the imposition of a
ban by the Ministry of Environment, Science, Technology
and Innovations of Ghana on light plastic materials less
than 20 microns (one millionth of a metre in terms of
density): such as ones used in packaging sugar, gari and
porridge. (Essel and Abban, 2015). However, these
banned plastic bags can still be found in the country,
indicating that very little has been done to enforce the ban.
Many countries have imposed a ban on the use of some
types of plastic, as a way of addressing the plastic bag
menace. For instance, the Brihanmumbai Muncipal
Corporation (BMC) in Mumbai imposed a ban on plastic
bags in 2006, but a survey showed that vendors were
using plastics bags which were below 50 microns
(Chaudhuri, 2016).
Alternatives to plastics
Imposing a ban on plastics, the most problematic
packaging material, is not an end to the problem, but there
should however be alternative packaging materials. Any
alternative to plastic suggested must have the
characteristics of less harmful effects than the current
ones or should have preferably zero environmental impact.
Organic materials are the best alternative to plastics
because they can be decomposed without harming the
environment. From this study,137(45.7%) suggested
paper, 71(23.7%) jute, 85(28.3%) cloth and 7(2.3%) cane
as alternative food packaging materials to plastics (Table
6). These materials can be used to make bags and
wrappers for local food packaging. These alternatives
were suggested by the respondents probably because of
their biodegradable nature and environmental friendliness
(Though, 2007; Rahman, 2009). Prior to the introduction of
plastic bags, paper bags were commonly used for
shopping purposes in Ghana.

7. Environmental effects and waste management practices of materials for local food packaging in the Birim Central Municipal, Ghana
J. Environ. Waste Manag. 250
CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Based on the findings of this study, the respondents used
plastics (88%), glass (6.7%) paper (3.7%) and leaves (1.7
%) to package local foods, but plastics were the
commonest and most preferred packaging material.
Plastics, also had the highest (93.7%) negative effects on
the environment including blockage of sewage drains
(36%), littering (25.3%), human health problems (27.7%),
water pollution (5.3%), animal death (2.7%) and non
biodegradability (2.3 %).
Also from our study, most (85%) of the respondents did not
practice source separation of the waste prior to disposal.
A little over half, 53.7% of the respondents disposed the
waste into communal waste containers, 33.3% burnt the
waste where possible, and 13% buried the waste. Majority
(95%) of respondents reduced waste generation, 41.2% of
them reused plastic packaging materials to repackage
other food and non-food items, and 32% sent the
recyclable component of the waste to recycling
companies.
Burning of plastic packaging waste leads to an increased
environmental pollution with its associated health risks.
Plastics end up deteriorating the natural beauty of the
environment, and also persist in soils without
decomposition thereby affecting crop plant.
As part of efforts aimed at managing packaging waste by
individuals and Municipal Assemblies, there should be
separate communal waste containers to collect the waste
at the point of disposal, since that will serve as incentive
for people to separate solid waste into different containers
at their houses prior to disposal. Also, since plastics form
the largest percentage of Municipal Solid Waste, the
Government of Ghana should collaborate with both local
and foreign investors to set up recycling plants in all
districts and municipalities to deal with the large volumes
of plastic waste. This will help solve the plastic waste
menace and also create jobs. However, further studies
must be carried out to ascertain the economic viability of
plastic waste recycling by the local government authorities.
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Accepted 15 September, 2017
Citation: Awusi E and Kyei S (2017) Environmental
effects and waste management practices of materials for
local food packaging in the Birim Central Municipal,
Ghana. Journal of Environment and Waste Management
4(3): 244-252.
Copyright: © 2017 Awusi and Kyei. This is an open-
access article distributed under the terms of the Creative
Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted
use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium,
provided the original author and source are cited.