Until 2011, the cost of waste collection in Accra was mainly borne by the municipality. At that time, only about 25% of customers paid for waste disposal, which means that well over 70% do not pay for the services. This unpaid share ate up about 40% of the budget that the municipality generates through fees, licences and payments. This reduces the possibilities to adequately perform other tasks in the areas of education, health and other services. As part of a multi-stakeholder approach, the city therefore decided to make the beneficiaries of waste collection services more financially responsible for the waste they generate.

• Operationalization of the Fees and Performance Bills Waste Collection System, a franchise arrangement where waste collection service providers were assigned zones in various areas.
• Obligation of waste collection service providers to register households, collect waste and generate the corresponding revenue.
• Surveyed to find out the acceptance of informal waste collectors within the various communities of Accra City.
• Closure of illegal dump sites like the Ring Road West dump site.
• Registration of over 500 informal waste collectors with Municipal Authority of Accra.

The role of informal sector actors in waste management is important for low-income areas of a city. They are very important for the expansion of waste management services and also the recycling sector. Informal sector actors should be considered as partners as they develop locally adapted solid waste management systems in low-income areas. The City of Accra Climate Action Plan has defined clear rules for the informal sector in terms of improving waste collection and recovering recyclables from waste.