Solid waste management in Onitsha, Nigeria

Abstract

Waste management in the municipality of Onitsha is handled by division of the municipality into six sanitation zones. Refuse is discharged into 1.5 m³ containers in the residential areas while 1.6 m³ containers and built-up dumps are used in the commercial, industrial and some residential areas. Vehi cles for waste collection include open tippers, side loaders, liftable container trucks and rear-loading compactors. A san itary landfill is the main method used for waste disposal; in addition, open dumps, a controlled landfill, and animal feed ing are employed. In order to help in future waste manage ment analysis and strategies in the Onitsha municipality, two- thirds of a 5 m³ truck loads of solid wastes were separated into components and their percentages by weight obtained. Refuse analysis indicated a high percentage of vegeta ble/putrescible and paper/wood products while the generation rate is 0.53 kg per capita per day. It was found that a great part of the budget (77%) was spent on collection and haulage leaving a minor amount (23%) for waste disposal. The adop tion of modem waste management practices should be emphasised in order to achieve greater efficiency.