Scrap metals’ role in circular economy in Ghana, using Sunyani as a case study

Abstract

Scrap metals can create jobs. It can also be reused and recycled as resource recovery measure in a circular economic model for Ghana. This case study therefore is a preliminary assessment of the quantity and economic value of scrap metals as essential part of resource recovery in the circular economic model. The findings of the study shows that scrap metal industry is growing in the Sunyani Municipality and similar trend is likely in other cities in Ghana as well. The most abundant of the metals found was aluminum while copper was most expensive. Though sales of the scrap was profitable, it was done on monthly basis owing to low rate of volume of scrap realized by the owners. Much of the scrap was dumped at various waste dumping sites in the municipality, thus raising concerns about lack of knowledge of residents about the profitability and recovery values of scrap metals in the circular models. As a result, this could lead to environmental pollution, inefficient resource utilization and energy uses. Therefore, proper education, policy and regulatory measures are key recommendations to prevent these and encourage uses of scrap metals in the circular economy of Ghana. Also, it is recommended that transfer, recycling and foundry stations should be built to prevent high transportation cost due to long haulage distance to final destination points of sales and recycling or reuses.

Key words: Scrap metals, job creation, resource recovery, reuse, recycle, circular economy.