Implementation of Circular Economy Principles in Industrial Solid Waste Management: Case Studies from a Developing Economy (Nigeria)

Abstract

The existing solid waste management principles are increasingly being replaced with discussions on circular economy (CE) principles in contemporary deliberations on solid waste handling. This shift is supported by the global adoption of the concept of sustainable development. The CE offers better prospects to solid waste management and has been implemented successfully in its full theory, practice, and policies in some developed locations of the world. The socio-economic disadvantages, insufficient expert knowledge and a lack of information have hindered its appropriateness and implementation in low and middle-income countries. Hence, the current research study examines the challenges and opportunities of implementing the circularity principle at the industrial sector level of a typical developing economy—Nigeria. Four different industries were selected for this case study—telecommunications, water packaging, pulp and paper and the food industry. These industries represent the major waste streams in an urban solid waste mix (waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE), plastic, paper and organic). This study discovered several barriers and existing pre-conditions in place that could either foster or militate against the smooth and successful application of a CE model as a simple modification of the generic model. This study also discussed future directions on the implementation of the model.

The Circular Model in Disposal with Municipal Waste. A Case Study of Slovakia

“…The need to efficiently treat the waste is in some countries, including Slovakia, enormous [19]. However, the CE concept is also adopted by developing countries [5,20,21].…”

Learning from Failure and Success: The Challenges for Circular Economy Implementation in SMEs in an Emerging Economy

“…Furthermore, although there are specific challenges that firms might not have control over, firms can act and align their business models and strategies with their surrounding contexts to succeed in their circular endeavors. In this sense, implementation of CE initiatives and success in emerging economies might depend on firms aligning their business model to customers' needs and specific contextual conditions [6,33,34].…”

Public perception and awareness of waste management from Benin City

“…As such, sustainable mitigation and adaptation measures would be more successful if they are well understood and enabled people to engage in economic activities that provided a higher standard of living. For instance, adapting recycling as www.nature.com/scientificreports/ both a mitigation and adaptation option could greatly assist with the current situation since it directly can create local wealth as well as significantly reduce the amount of MSW generating harmful GHG emissions 12,20,26 . A way forward would be to enact an all-inclusive waste management policy to deliver effective awareness and strengthen communication channels between working groups compiling GHG emissions inventory.…”

“…The collection of MSW in Benin City is not regular resulting in public health www.nature.com/scientificreports/ concerns (i.e., encouraging the spread of unpleasant and contagious disease), uncontrolled recycling of contaminated goods, pollution of water sources, and defacing of the city (Fig. 7) 25,26 . Benin City generates 573.6 tons of MSW daily-20% from plastic waste packed from hotels, restaurants, ceremonial venues, and public service centers, 50% from mixtures of organic and inorganic waste from urban and industry, and 30% from residential homes and public places 25,27 .…”

“…As such, the collection and transport of MSW requires the largest demand on municipal budgets but has been seen to have the greatest impact on urban living 24 . Oseghale 25 and Ezeudu and Ezeudu 26 reported that in Nigeria 68% of MSW is indiscriminately dumped, 20.8% is disposed through inappropriate landfill sites, and 10.7% is burnt. According to the GHG emissions inventory from 2000 to 2018 the contribution from inappropriate waste was 3.0% 27 , which is expected to double within the next five years, considering that waste generation rate is estimated between 0.5 and 1.0 kg/person/day 25 ; however, this is subject to change due to unplanned population growth and unsustainable urban waste management practices Nigeria.…”