Untitled

Abstract

Waste management has been a major challenge in Nigeria. Waste generation has consistently expanded both in volume and complexity. Literature has shown that Nigeria generates about 25-45million tonnes of waste per annum, most of which are not recycled. The waste management structure largely in operation is a linear system of waste generation, collection/transportation and disposal. Waste management in Nigeria is faced with several challenges including feasible waste management structure. Sadly enough, the ill management of solid waste in the country has impacted on the environment and on human health. It is on this note that the authors decided to review the solid waste structure in Nigeria, with a view to proffering a schematic structure for the actualization of integrated solid waste management in Nigeria. Integrated solid waste management refers to the strategic approach to sustainable management of solid wastes covering all sources and all aspects, covering generation, segregation, transfer, sorting, treatment, recovery and disposal in an integrated manner, with an emphasis on maximizing resource use efficiency. In other words, the proposed structure will encourage the use of waste as a resource, thereby reducing potential health, social and economic impact of ill management. It is recommended that in addition to the implementation of ISWM, integration of the informal waste management sector should be considered. Contribution/Originality:This study contributes to the existing literature on solid waste management in Nigeria, proffering a schematic for sustainable solid waste management in the country. Following studies on the loopholes and associated impact of the current solid waste handling methods in the country a structure for solid waste management is expedient. INTRODUCTIONWaste is a part of human existence. Wherever humans exist, waste is always generated. Waste exist in different forms as gaseous, liquid or solid Figure 1. Various classifications apply in waste categorization, these include: Domestic waste, Construction waste, Agricultural waste, Industrial waste, Municipal waste (these kinds of waste are categorized based on their source); biodegradable and non-biodegradable waste (this is based on the ability of the waste to be disintegrated by natural processes of the environment within human lifetime); Hazardous and non-hazardous waste (based on their potential to cause harm, injury and/or death). The hazardous nature of waste depends on the source. Waste in this context refers to materials that are no longer relevant to the owner