A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Waste Collection and Transportation Efficiency in Urban Waste Management Systems in Port Harcourt

The efficiency of urban waste collection and transportation systems is critical for sustainable solid waste management, especially in rapidly urbanizing cities such as Port Harcourt, Nigeria. This study conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of peer-reviewed literature and grey sources to evaluate the operational performance and challenges in waste collection and transportation in Port Harcourt. A comprehensive database search yielded 1,253 records, of which 18 studies met inclusion criteria for systematic review, and 12 were eligible for meta-analysis. Findings revealed widespread inefficiencies in waste collection frequency, route optimization, fleet management, and community participation. Only 45–60% of urban households received regular waste collection, while poor road infrastructure and outdated trucks contributed significantly to delays and operational costs. Informal waste collectors play a crucial role in bridging service gaps, yet remain unregulated. The meta-analysis showed that optimized transportation strategies and public-private partnerships (PPPs) improved system efficiency by up to 40%. The study concludes with strategic recommendations to enhance collection and transportation efficiency, including digitized route planning, decentralized waste services, and integration of the informal sector. These findings offer policy-relevant insights for strengthening urban waste systems in Nigerian cities. Received: 4 May 2025 / Accepted: 24 June 2025 / Published: 15 July 2025