Author(s)

Eike Albrecht¹, Agbortoko M. Ayuk Nkem², Enow Ernest¹

¹Department of Environmental Law and Law of Europe, Centre for Law and Administration BTU, Cottbus, Germany.
²Department of Geaography, University of Buea, Buea, Cameroon.

Waste production remains an inevitable part of human activity on earth. The history of waste reveals that high levels of urbanisation, sustained urban growth and increasing residential neighbourhoods remain commensurate to poor sanitation and quality of life if proper measures are not taken. This paper therefore examines the legal practices involved in waste management and to understand the challenges faced as well as propose solutions towards an improved waste management system. The work constitutes mainly secondary source data that includes the existing laws on waste management in Cameroon and other documents relating to waste from different ministries. The residents of Buea and workers of the waste management company were interviewed to get their views on waste management in Buea. Also, field observations were made to compare results with field realities. The collected data was analysed using the content analysis and descriptive techniques. Results obtained proved that there exist well stated laws for waste management in Cameroon. However, there is poor implementation of the existing laws with evidence of waste littering within neighbourhoods and along the streets. This study concludes that there should be proper sensitization of the public about existing laws and to strengthen the waste management process with use of the laws. An all-integrated approach with active community participation was recommended as a way out towards sustainable waste management in Buea.

Waste Management, Legal, Buea Municipality, Sustainability, Environment

Albrecht, E. , Nkem, A. and Ernest, E. (2022) The Legal Aspect of Waste Management in Cameroon with Focus on the Buea Municipality. Journal of Geoscience and Environment Protection, 10, 9-23. doi: 10.4236/gep.2022.108002.