Solid waste characterisation in commercial settings in Nigeria: a case study of Kantin Kwari market in Kano Metropolis

Abstract

Kwari market is one of the biggest textile markets in Nigeria and sub-Saharan Africa. A lot of waste is generated daily from this market by the traders as well as the customers of the market. This research is aimed at studying the characterization and quantity of solid waste generated in the market. The methodological approaches employed for primary data collection were questionnaires and separation/weighing of the waste. Secondary data were also used in the research to fill the gap where primary data were not available. Availability and systematic sampling techniques were used to select the samples of the study. Simple statistics was used to process the data which were presented in tables, plates and explanations. The study reveals the composition of solid waste generated in the market with plastic waste having the highest quantity (135.58kg) followed by food remains (118.68kg), polythene (102.85kg), paper (62.99kg), polystyrene (58.56kg) and textile (46.08kg). These indicate high potentials of resource recovery from the waste generated. It is, therefore, recommended that stakeholders should be encouraged to practice waste segregation at source and increase reuse and recycling as much as possible. This could be achieved through public awareness and enlightenment campaigns on the importance of resource recovery in solid waste management in the market.