Waste-to-Energy: A Circular Economy Tool towards Climate Change Mitigation in Imo State, South-Eastern, Nigeria

Abstract

Waste is an indispensable by-product of most human daily activity. Prevailing waste management strategy, especially in developing countries such as Nigeria, is far below standard, resulting in environmental contamination and pollution which hampers sustainability. This forms the crux of the research paper which entails ascertaining how Waste-to-Energy can serve as a circular economy tool towards climate mitigation that will ensure environmental sustainability. Key challenges relate to moving beyond the perception of ‘waste as a problem’ to ‘waste as a resource’. Ultimately, both waste prevention, as well as a widespread growth in circular economy activities, will require a coherent and holistic approach that takes recovery options into account at every stage of the product life cycle. To achieve this, the study explored the potentials inherent in Waste-to-Energy (WtE) as a tool. The work is qualitative and involves a synchronic evaluation of previous research works relevant to the study to ascertain the viability of WtE as a circular economic tool for scaling back adverse environmental impact. Integration of results with detailed clarifications of circular economy and climate mitigation indicates WtE as an index of sustainable development. The bottom ash from combustion operations serves as feedstock to the construction industry, hence closing a potential pollution loop. Therefore, Waste-to-Energy is ascertained a viable tool that supports the circular economy while coupling with progressive externalities of climate mitigation. Thus, the study recommends that WtE as a tool should be duly considered as a key feature of climate change policy in developing countries, especially in Nigeria.

Schematic Modelling of Sustainable Solid Waste Management in Nigeria

“…Four of the biggest dumpsites in Africa are domiciled in Nigeria. According to Okere et al (2019) Nigeria is home to 12% of the 50 largest dumpsites in the world. It was noted by Adewole (2009) that only the landfill system of waste disposal is being generally adopted in Lagos State (as in most states).…”

“…Huge amount of waste generation has been described as a problem by several authors such as Babayemi and Dauda (2009); Choi (2016); Chukwu, Dike, and Okoli (2019) and Bakare (2020). On the other hand, Cox et al (2015); Okere, Ofodum, Azorji, and Nwosu (2019) and Memon (2020) have described huge amount of waste generation as a resource which should be utilized. Each of these debates has its central concern and perspective on which its argument is based.…”

Profiling and Characterization of Environmental Quality of Leachates from Selected Dumpsites in Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria

“…Waste generation is an indispensable aspect of human endeavor. This is because almost every activity by man generates wastes of some kind [1]. In most developing countries, the propensity of residents to generate waste seems to have heightened in recent times [2].…”

“…Solid waste management has been a major problem in the world especially in most developing countries [8]. The problem is exacerbated by the lack of well-organized waste management strategy [1]; [2]. Most major cities have no functional waste management system.…”

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“…Huge amount of waste generation has been described as a problem by several authors such as Babayemi and Dauda (2009); Choi (2016); Chukwu, Dike, and Okoli (2019) and Bakare (2020). On the other hand, Cox et al (2015); Okere, Ofodum, Azorji, and Nwosu (2019) and Memon (2020) have described huge amount of waste generation as a resource which should be utilized. Each of these debates has its central concern and perspective on which its argument is based.…”