Abstract

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

Oyeshola Femi Kofoworola

The Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) sector contributes to global Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emission. GHG emissions from current MSW treatment options and alternative options were examined for Nigeria using the Solid Waste Management Greenhouse Gas (SWM GHG) model. Alternative scenarios considered a combination of options including collection of recyclable materials, dumping in unmanaged disposal sites, landfill without and without biogas collection, and incineration for electricity production. The results showed that the contribution of the current management strategies to global warming is 10.7 Mt CO2 eq/yr. MSW management options featuring primary material recycling and energy recovery had reductions in GHG emissions of between 22-67% compared to the current scenario - highlighting the important contribution of recycling and energy production from MSW treatment options in reducing GHG contribution of the MSW sector.