Solid Waste Management Performance Assessment Model for Owerri Municipality

In this research, a solid waste management performance model was developed for Owerri municipality. This was necessitated by the existing poor waste management and service provision in the area. The present system performance and ideal real time model expectations were investigated. The model was developed in line with the established balance score card (BSC) concept using MATLAB 2021a software. 30 performance indicators were identified from 4 component objectives enshrined in globally accepted solid waste management systems and processes, namely, customer perspective (CP), internal process perspective (IPP), learning and growth perspective (LGP) and financial perspective (FP). These indicators were used as building blocks for developing the model. Indicators for physical parameters included leachate temperature, total dissolved solids (TDS) and total suspended solids (TSS). Leachate analysis confirmed the presence of high concentrations of TDS (6723kg/m), TSS (5731kg/m), total ammonia (186kg/m), and high BOD (137kg/m) and COD (614kg/m) levels, respectively at the active official dumpsite in the study area. The corresponding model results showed an overall SWM performance of 37.5%. The FP scored 0%. Outcome showed that specific areas that needed improvement were in the areas of waste collection coverage, final disposal, environmental endurance, inclusivity, financial sustainability and recycling and treatment facilities. The study also disclosed a systematic method for assessment of performance of the integrated solid waste management system (ISWMS) in the municipalities.