This study was designed to determine the existing problems of solid waste management in Freetown. The
problems that were assessed were the factors impeding the effectiveness and efficient solid waste management and the
wrong attitudes and perceptions of the people about sanitation issues which have contributed to solid waste management
problems in Freetown. Structured questionnaires were administered with respect to socioeconomic and solid waste
management data. Interviews and personal observations were also used to collect some of the data. Data analysis was
carried out using the Statistical Packages for Social Sciences (SPSS) software. The results show that majority of the
households did not educate their members on the need to clean their surroundings. Virtually, all the people depend on the
Freetown Waste Management Company’s facilities for the disposal of their household refuse. The study concludes that
solid waste management problems are partly the result of Freetown Waste Management Company’s inability to cope with
the situation because of lack of equipment, personnel, and inadequate funding. Therefore, the study recommends that the
waste management authority’s effort in the area of education should be intensified in order to sensitize the people on the
need to keep the surroundings clean. The participation of the private sector, government, NGOs’ and the international
community in offering adaptable solutions towards improving solid waste management situation in Freetown is also
needed.