Enablers and barriers to implementation of circular economy in solid waste valorization: The case of urban markets in Anambra, Southeast Nigeria

Abstract

The circular economy (CE) is one of the most recent approaches being adopted around the world to tackle waste management issues. Recent research efforts have shown that developed locations of the world are at the forefront in adopting and implementing the circularity model, while it is entirely a new concept to most of the low and middle-income countries. The current work studies solid waste management practices in urban markets in Anambra State, south-east Nigeria with the motive to critically analyze the enablers and barriers to the CE introduction in the sector. Data supporting the analysis were collected through interviews, documented evidence (literature), and participatory field observation. The analysis of the data conducted with the strength, weakness, opportunity, and threat (SWOT) matrix analysis supplemented by grounded analysis, rightly shows that informal recycling/resource recovery activities, waste management policies, and functional institutions are in place in the markets, thereby likely to serve as internal enablers to the implementation of the CE in the markets. The absence of state-of-the-art waste disposal facilities such as engineered landfills, incinerators, and anaerobic digestions plants are external barriers to optimal implementation of CE in the urban markets. The current study, however, makes further recommendations on the way forward.