Analysis of waste management in a small town in sub-Saharan Africa, the case of Ouesso in the Republic of Congo

This study is being carried out in the town of Ouesso in the Republic of Congo. Its aim is to understand how waste generated by businesses is managed. The face-to-face, non-probabilistic, reasoned-choice survey involved 360 economic activities actors’ owners in the town's two districts. The information collected included the type and method of waste collection, the method of transport and waste disposal practices, the nuisance caused by waste, monthly expenditure and willingness to pay for waste collection and disposal. The Sphinx software was used to draw up the survey forms and to analyze and process the data. The results show that packaging, plastic, paper and cardboard are more frequently cited than other types of waste. Most actors use bins to collect their waste. Waste is transported either by tricycle or on foot for disposal using methods that do not respect the environment. The most frequently cited nuisances are insect pests and rodents, which can pose health problems to the community. The vast majority of respondents already pay for the waste management service and are willing to pay a fee to improve the quality of the waste service.