An analysis of solid waste generation in a traditional African city: the example of Ogbomoso, Nigeria

Abstract

This paper reports on patterns of household solid waste generation in the three distinct ecological zones that make up the city of Ogbomoso: the traditional core zone, the transitional zone developed under colonial rule and the suburban zone. It gives details of how total waste volumes and the components of waste varied over time in each of these zones — and there was considerable variation in these by day of the week and by month. For example, in the suburban zone, total waste generation for January was around half that for December; and although average incomes are higher in that zone, the per capita quantity of household waste (measured by weight) was not higher. Comparing household waste generation across the three zones showed that as education, income and social status increase, per capita waste generation declines, especially with regard to heavier organic waste products which account for more than three-quarters of the total waste generated in the study area. This is in part influenced by the differences in employment/livelihood patterns between the zones, and the study highlights how livelihood patterns and residents' possibilities for livestock raising influence the scale and composition of household waste. Finally, the paper highlights the importance for waste management of considering solid waste generated by enterprises in residential areas, including those run from home.