Characterization and Management Strategies for Municipal Solid Waste in Enugu Metropolis: Insights for Sustainable Waste Solutions

This study characterizes solid waste in Enugu Metropolis, Nigeria, to inform sustainable waste management strategies in the region. Traditional and simpler material-based classification approach was employed in this investigation. Individual household samples were collected in black rubbish bags labeled with a unique identifier. Air oven method was used for waste moisture content determination. A total of 300 waste samples were collected using identified waste collection bags from middle-income, high-income and low-income households and analyzed for physical and chemical composition. According to the study, biodegradable matter accounted for 29.86, 35.52 and 55.09% waste generated by low, medium and high income areas respectively with an average of 40.16%. On the other hand, non-biodegradable matter accounted for 70.41, 64.48 and 44.91% for low, medium and high income areas respectively with an average of 59.93 %. The study area's per capita waste generation rate was 0.53 kg/capita/day while moisture content was averagely 29.41%. Using the results of this characterization study as a guide, the results clearly indicate the necessity to create formal composting (for 40.2% of the waste) and recycling (for 59.93% of the waste) facilities within the Enugu Urban region. However, the current waste management practices are inadequate, due to several factors ranging from poor funding, unskilled personnel, inadequate collection vehicles, poor collection routes and so on which leads to environmental and health hazards. The study recommends implementing a decentralized waste management system, promoting recycling and composting, and developing a waste-to-energy strategy to address the waste management challenges in Enugu Metropolis.