Characterization and Disposal of Municipal Solid Waste

Characterization and Disposal of Municipal Solid Waste: A Case Study of University of Benin Community

ABSTRACT

The aim of this research work was to assess the amount of municipal solid waste generated in University of Benin located in Benin-City, Nigeria. Analysis was carried out to calculate amount of municipal solid waste generated per person per day.

Direct waste analysis and a site-specific study were carried out to collect waste characterization data and determine the quantity of generation and components of the municipal solid waste in the campus. The results from the study were then applied to determine the best waste disposal option for the municipal solid waste in University of Benin.

To help obtain the data for the study on a regional basis, areas were selected from residential, commercial and institutional centres to determine the total weekly generation of waste (in kg), average daily generation rate of waste and composition by category of waste.

Results obtained revealed that average daily generation rate in University of Benin was 0.455kg/person/day which translates into 25,173.33kg of municipal solid waste per day per the estimated current population of over 55,325 generated in University of Benin, from daily residential, commercial and institutional activities.

Furthermore, characterization analysis of the collected waste samples showed that municipal solid waste generated in University of Benin composed of 30.22% organic waste, 26.67% plastics/rubber waste, 18.65% paper, 11.08% metals,3.70% miscellaneous, 3.10% inert,2.39% glass/ceramics,2.18% textile,1.03% electronics and 0.98% leather in University of Benin.

Wastes from building, construction and demolition, and unconventional sources were not included. The study also showed that since a higher percentage of non-biodegradable waste were generated; the most suitable waste management schemes are recycling, composting and sanitary landfills. Some useful suggestions that will help improve municipal solid waste management situation in the campus have also been presented.

Table of Contents

ABSTRACT           1

CHAPTER ONE   3

INTRODUCTION 3

1.1          BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY     3

1.2          STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM   6

1.3          OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY           7

1.4          RESEARCH QUESTIONS  7

1.5          RESEARCH HYPOTHESES 8

1.6          SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY      8

1.7          SCOPE/LIMITATION OF THE STUDY           9

1.8          PLAN OF THE STUDY       9

CHAPTER TWO  11

LITERATURE REVIEW       11

2.1          INTRODUCTION 11

2.2 CONCEPTUAL REVIEW            11

2.3          THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK        18

2.4 EMPIRICAL REVIEW  21

CHAPTER THREE                24

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY         24

RESEARCH DESIGN          24

POPULATION OF THE STUDY        24

SAMPLE AND SAMPLING TECHNIQUE      24

DATA COLLECTION           25

RESEARCH INSTRUMENT (QUESTIONNAIRE)         25

VALIDITY AND RELIABILITY OF RESEARCH INSTRUMENT   25

ADMINISTRATION OF QUESTIONNAIRE  26

STATISTICAL TOOLS OF DATA ANALYSIS  26

CHAPTER FOUR:               28

4.0 DATA PRESENTATION, DATA ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION              28

4.1 INTRODUCTION        28

4.2 DATA PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS               28

TABLE BASED ON RESEARCH QUESTION 32

4.3 TEST OF HYPOTHESIS               40

CHAPTER FIVE   43

SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS      43

5.1          INTRODUCTION 43

5.2          SUMMARY          43

5.3          CONCLUSION    44

5.4          RECOMMENDATIONS    46

Characterization and Disposal of Municipal Solid Waste: A Case Study of University of Benin Community