Rapid Method for Estimating Solid Wastes Generation Rate in Developing Countries

Abstract

A rapid method for estimating the solid waste generation rate was developed and evaluated by determining the number, sizes and volumes of solid waste collection systems. For the major types of containers, a total of 480 readings at 148 locations were taken to determine the average number of days required to fill a container. The product of the determined total number of containers, their volumes, and the average density of the solid waste, divided by the product of the determined average number of days required to fill a container and the population of the study area, gave the per capita generation rate. Using this method, the generation rate in Port Harcourt, Nigeria, was 0.22 kg per person per day while the traditional, time consuming, house-to-house, volume-weight analysis methods gave 0.19 kg per person per day.

Comparative Assessment of the Environmental Implication of Management Options for Municipal Solid Waste in Nigeria

“…The importance of promoting source reduction to minimize the problem of MSW generation and disposal, and also the alternative energy generation potential from MSW conversion has been evaluated [5]. A case for the development of a MSWM plan and framework in Abuja, Nigeria was made by [9], and several studies [10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19] concluded that the problems of MSWM in Nigeria are: (1) insufficient budgetary allocation (2) ineffective collection of service fee (3) no active planning on establishing common disposal facility among adjacent communities, no definite regulation and guideline of MSWM hierarchy starting from source separation, recycling, collection, transportation, disposal and monitoring (4) lack of skilled personnel in operating an efficient waste collection and disposal practice (5) absence of formal waste recycling programs in most communities (6) lack of public co-operation and participation and, (7) lack of legal enforcement.…”