Assessing the Determinants of Performance in Solid Waste Management: An Analysis of Municipalities in Ghana

Abstract The study applied the input-oriented data envelopment analysis technique to assess the performance of solid waste management companies operating in Ghana's municipal and district assemblies (MDAs). The results showed that the average technical efficiency for waste companies in municipalities was 0.79, compared to 0.86 for those in districts. Further analysis revealed that, despite districts spending more on solid waste management per capita (3.833) compared to municipalities (2.53), their waste collection rates were significantly lower, at 0.156 kg/capita/day, compared to 0.42 kg/capita/day in municipalities. Nonetheless, both districts and municipalities fell short of the national average waste collection rate of 0.51 kg/capita/day. A robust multiple linear regression analysis identified organisational structure, cultural and social context as significant determinants of performance. The application of the input-oriented data envelopment analysis technique provides a framework for assessing, monitoring, and benchmarking the performance of waste management companies.