Solid waste characterization and its recycling potential: Akure municipal dumpsite, Southwestern, Nigeria

This study was undertaken to characterize and determine the recycling potential of municipal solid waste brought to a centralized facility in Akure, Nigeria. The facility serves a population of over 350,000 people. For a year, waste brought to the municipal solid waste facility from three sources namely market, residential and curbsides were characterized and quantified monthly. Physical and chemical characteristics of the waste were determined using standard methods. Data obtained were analyzed using statistical analysis. The results showed that an average of 0.17 ton of waste is transported to the dumpsite from the three major sources every day. There were statistically significant differences in all the types of waste except paper brought from the three sources. The wastes transported from the three sources in the city to the dumpsite were mainly composed of paper at 17.3%, nylon at 26.6%, organic waste at 25% and sand at 18.9%. These obtained values were compared with waste generated in the same area from studies in the literature. The chemical conditions of the organic waste showed that it could be used for efficient composting. The usage of the recycling plant was not effectively maximized, despite the high (96%) recyclable potentials of the waste.