Site suitability analysis for waste to energy facility in Jos Metropolis, Plateau State, Nigeria

Abstract

Solid waste management has emerged as a significant environmental challenge in developing countries, primarily driven by population growth, rapid urbanization, and the absence of effective sustainable strategies and policies. The city of Jos is not immune to these issues, as limited funding and expertise have hindered the local municipalities' ability to manage municipal solid waste efficiently. This study attempted to identify suitable sites for a waste-to-energy facility in Jos Metropolis, Plateau State, Nigeria. The study focused on estimating the amount of waste generated and determining a suitable site for siting a waste-to-energy facility in the study area. The data used were geographic coordinates of existing dumpsites which were acquired using Garmin eTrex R 20x Handheld GPS, topographic map which was obtained from Landsat (Glovis) website, landuse/landcover map which was obtained from Sentinel-2 ESRI website, road and waterbody data which were obtained from Open Street Map and administrative map of Jos metropolis which was obtained from ministry of lands, survey and town planning, Plateau state. Multi-criteria analysis, waste estimation formula, population projection formula, and the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) in conjunction with a Geographic Information System (GIS) model were employed for analysis. The results revealed that an estimated 221 tons of waste is generated per day in Jos metropolis with a projected increase to 299 tons by 2032, reflecting a 35.29% growth in a decade. The multicriteria analysis revealed that only 2.8% (23.3 km²) of the area exhibited high suitability for a WtE facility, with Kuru 'A' identified as the optimal choice due to its advantageous proximity to power substations, well-established road networks, existing dumpsites, and minimal risks to people and economic activities. Based on the findings, the study recommends improving data collection efforts, expanding the suitability criteria, and involving stakeholders in decision-making processes to enhance waste management effectiveness.