Exploring the sustainability of composting as a solid waste management practice in Nigeria

Abstract

Solid waste composting has emerged as an innovative approach to managing solid waste in various regions of the world. However, the sustainability of this approach to solid waste management has been sparsely investigated in the study area. This paper reviews composting case studies in Nigeria with the aim of providing information on its economic, social and environmental sustainability. Five composting projects were purposively selected, and information on them were sought through direct observation, interview and from journal articles, magazine and research thesis; and were qualitatively analysed. It is evident from the study that composting holds great potentials for sustainable waste management practice in Nigeria, however, its limited application in the country still undermines benefits. Consequently, the paper recommends among others data management on solid waste by relevant agencies and stakeholders, and formulation of a national policy focusing on proper integration of composting into solid waste management system in Nigeria.

Keywords: Sustainability, sustainable development, solid waste, compost