Design of a Municipal Solid Waste Collection System in Situations with a Lack of Resources: Nikki (Benin), a Case in Africa

Abstract

Waste collection is one of the most important public services in a town. However, waste collection has not been effectively implemented in some places due to the lack of economic and management resources. The waste is placed in inappropriate sites with the consequent risks of pollution and unhealthy conditions for the inhabitants. Therefore, establishing a municipal solid waste collection plan can be complicated. The methodologies and techniques that work in countries with medium and high income levels cannot be extrapolated to others with low income level because the boundary conditions are widely different. The aim of this paper is to design a municipal solid waste collection system adapted to this type of situation where not much money can be invested and where data are limited. In these cases, municipalities need to use their existing resources effectively. This paper offers a methodology for these cases as well as a case study. The first step was to gather information about the type and amount of waste generated and the characteristics of the town. The second step was to propose the location of the bins and, finally, the waste collection routes. With all these data, the technical and human resources were set. The methodology used was validated in a real case, the town of Nikki (Benin) in Africa. The collection of three waste fractions was designed with the actual resources of the city in order to offer a realistic implementation. Similar situations can be found around the world, and this case study can be used as an example to improve the waste management practices in some places with low resources.