Article written by Farouk Umar
The global problem of mismanaged waste threatens our environment and public health. Given current trends, this problem could worsen in cities in developing countries. Effectively monitoring and addressing mismanaged waste is not just a good idea; it’s a critical part of achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Goals 11 and 12, which drive the broader agenda of sustainable development in these regions. However, monitoring waste in densely populated slum areas has always been a challenge. Navigating through unplanned settlements and ensuring the safety of survey teams presents a formidable barrier. This is where Google Street View (GSV) could be a real opportunity.
GSV is a remarkable tool that has redefined how we monitor and assess the environment. It provides a comprehensive visual record of an area, enabling before and after comparisons. In developed countries, particularly in the US, researchers have used GSV to count street litter successfully. But when we shift our focus to sub-Saharan Africa, we encounter a different landscape. GSV coverage in sub-Saharan Africa mostly covers main roads with little coverage of minor roads and slums. The lesser covered areas are often inaccessible for waste collection vehicles or inhabited by communities unable to afford waste services.
Consequently, GSV may underestimate the extent of mismanaged waste in these areas. To address this, we conducted an analysis in the case of Greater Accra, Ghana and Kisumu, Kenya that compared indicators such as street litter and waste burning between areas with and without GSV. This revelation underscores the importance of addressing potential bias in future waste estimates derived from GSV.
Waste hotspotting is a process developed by the United Nations Environment Programme allowing us to identify specific locations or areas with concentrated waste mismanagement issues. This information empowers governments, environmental organisations, and researchers to allocate resources effectively, implement targeted clean-up efforts and develop strategies to tackle waste-related challenges head-on.
Considering the significance of waste hotspotting in addressing global environmental challenges, we decided to take our efforts a step further. Our latest analysis involves using GSV for waste hotspotting. We aim to develop and evaluate the reliability and efficiency of GSV when used to count waste in the streets of low- and middle-income cities.
Our team of researchers used geospatial tools coupled with GSV images to navigate and count street litter, waste burning, and large waste piles in parts of Greater Accra and Kisumu. What we found was truly promising. Replicating the protocols deployed during our environmental transect surveys of mismanaged waste in off-grid neighbourhoods of the same cities proved to be seamless. However, it is essential to emphasise the importance of our image interpreters being familiar with the context, perhaps through visual identification keys that show what particular waste feature look like, to guide those less acquainted with a particular city. Overall, compared to our traditional field surveys, the use of GSV for waste hotspotting has proven to be faster, more cost-effective, and safer, as it eliminates the need for our researchers to be on the field.
We highly recommend the use of this innovative method, especially in countries where resources are limited and security can be a challenge for field workers. With GSV, we have unlocked a powerful tool that not only helps address the growing issue of mismanaged waste but also paves the way for a cleaner, healthier, and more sustainable future for all.
Water and Waste Researcher counting waste using GSV and geospatial tools