Underutilization of waste as a resource: bottom-up approach to waste management and its energy implications in Lagos, Nigeria

ABSTRACT

The inadequate and improper waste management strategies adopted in Lagos state has led to significant levels of negative externalities with deterrent impact on the health, wellbeing and environment of its residents. This study utilizes a bottom-up approach, which is informed by the knowledge and opinions of over 200 residents in Lagos, which was obtained from the direct administration of a survey questionnaire. The sampling method utilized is critical case sampling due to the exploratory nature of this study. The findings highlight the poor status of the waste management services and the need for public awareness on proper waste disposal strategy. The main challenges revealed from this study is the insufficient or lack of waste collection and separation infrastructures and the inadequate operations of waste collection services. These challenges currently deter the potential for waste to energy solutions as observed in the energy map constructed. The improvement strategies include the development of regulatory infrastructures for guiding the waste sector, improvement of financing to the waste sector by government investment or increasing waste fees levied, raising awareness on sustainable and proper waste management practices, and investing in appropriate technologies, infrastructures and manpower to enable adequate operation of waste collection and recycling facilities.

KEYWORDS:

• Waste management
• waste collection
• urban energy
• energy implications
• Africa
• municipal solid waste

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China: [Grant Number 71850410544, 71950410760, 72050410358].

Notes on contributors

Ayotunde Dawodu

Dr Ayotunde Dawodu is an Assistant Professor of Building Services Engineering, at the Department of Architecture and Built Environment, University of Nottingham Ningbo China. He currently leads on a project on campus sustainability. His research focuses on sustainable urban development, sustainable assessment tools, and sustainable energy.

Jumoke Oladejo

Dr Jumoke Oladejo is a Science and Engineering Tutor at the Centre for English Language Education, University of Nottingham Ningbo China. She holds a PhD in energy Technologies. Her research interests are sustainable energy, waste to energy concepts, and circular economy and waste management.

Zayyad Tsiga

Dr Zayyad Tsiga is a PhD graduate of the Business School, at the University of Nottingham Ningbo China. He has recently taken the role of Executive Secretary of Kaduna State Residents Registration Agency in Nigeria.

Tatenda Kanengoni

Ms. Tatenda Kanengoni graduated from School of International Communications at the University of Nottingham Ningbo China. She is now specialising in Communications and PR in Harare, Zimbabwe.

Ali Cheshmehzangi

Prof. Ali Cheshmehzangi is Head of the Department of Architecture and Built Environment, at the University of Nottingham Ningbo China. He is a Professor of Architecture and Urban Design, and the Director of Centre for Sustainable Energy Technologies (CSET), and Urban Innovation Lab (UIL). He is also a Specially Appointed Professor at Hiroshima University, Japan.