Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) Generation and Characterization at the University of Ibadan, Nigeria

Effective MSW management requires adequate knowledge of waste generation and characterization. Therefore, estimation and characterization of the MSW generated in the different sections of University of Ibadan was considered. The study area was divided into four groups for ease of study: residential, academic, religious, and commercial areas. A generation based direct waste sampling and analysis approach was adopted to estimate the waste generated daily. The average MSW generation rate was 1.55 kg/household/day, and 0.245 kg/head/day in the staff residential areas and students’ halls of residence respectively. It was 46.83 kg/faculty/day and 0.415 kg/shop/day in the academic and business areas respectively. Wastes composition were generally 48% food waste, 10% paper, 8% nylon, 6% yard waste, 5% plastic, 2% glass, 2% metal, 2% textile, 1% wood and 16% other wastes (sanitary, e-waste, etc.). The average density of MSW generated in various areas ranged from 67.25 - 408.13 kg/m3. High composition of non-biodegradable wastes was observed in the studied areas. This means that alternative waste management approach is require for effective waste management in the institution.