Reducing greenhouse gas emissions from solid wastes management in north eastern Nigeria: An integrated solid waste management approach

Abstract

The solid waste management (SWM) sector is responsible for the emission of about 5% of all global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. In developing countries where the sector is less organised, the carbon footprint of the sector is much higher, so also is the potential for reducing these emissions. This study assessed the potential for reducing the GHGs emission from the SWM sector in northeastern Nigeria. Based on literature study, it was found that open dumping in dumpsites and unsanitary landfills is a solid waste disposal method in the region. It was estimated that 350,822.80 tonnes of MSW is disposed of in dumpsites annually, and anaerobically decomposes 403373.25 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (tCO 2 e) into the atmosphere. However, when an integrated solid waste management (ISWM) system, which comprises composting of organic materials, recycling of paper, glass and metals and incineration of garbage, is employed, a reduction in the region’s SWM carbon footprint of up to 99.5% is attainable. It was also found that composting is the ISWM element with the highest carbon sink potential, this is because of the high organic matter in the region’s wastes. The study suggests public-private partnership so as to be able to reform the SWM sector in the region and make it more sustainable.