Municipal solid waste characterization and management in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria

Abstract

Akwa Ibom state is one of the nine states in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria. This region is critical to sustainable economic development in the country being the main oil producing area. With its location within the tropical rainforest and dense population, Uyo, like other major cities in Nigeria generates enormous municipal solid waste which is not adequately managed. Municipal solid waste management has therefore emerged as one of the greatest challenges facing environmental agencies in the city. Solid waste management is simply reduced to waste transfer with overflow dump sites causing serious environmental pollution. Waste management practices are characterized by inefficient collection and poor disposal methods. Waste stream comprises: 65% of compostable materials, 10% plastics, 8% paper, 4% metal, 3% textile, 3% glass and 7% others. The rate of waste generation ranged between 0.49 to 0.60 kg/capita/day with an average of 0.54 kg/capita/day. Inadequate finances, lack of institutional arrangement, insufficient information on the quantity and quality of waste as well as inappropriate technology are the main constraints militating against effective solid waste management in Uyo. The findings in this research are useful in formulating adequate waste disposal procedures. In addition, the potential of waste recovery, reduction and reuse based on waste characteristics is projected at about $8million annually. However, further research is required in the area in order to maximize this potential.