Page 1 of 10
European Journal of Applied Sciences – Vol. 9, No. 6
Publication Date: December 25, 2021
DOI:10.14738/aivp.96.11124. Osadebe, B., Imhontu, M., Akenzua, O., Atsegha, B., Okorie, C., Onabe, J., Angalapu, J. D., Kubeyinje, B., Omojevwe, S. A., & Iyeke,
I. D. (2021). Characterization and Composition Analysis of Municipal Solid Waste for Bioethanol Production. European Journal of
Applied Sciences, 9(6). 178-187.
Services for Science and Education – United Kingdom
Characterization and Composition Analysis of Municipal Solid
Waste for Bioethanol Production
Biose Osadebe
National Centre for Energy and Environment
Energy Commission of Nigeria University of Benin, Benin City, Nigeria
Maureen Imhontu
National Centre for Energy and Environment
Energy Commission of Nigeria University of Benin, Benin City, Nigeria
Oghosa Akenzua
National Centre for Energy and Environment
Energy Commission of Nigeria University of Benin, Benin City, Nigeria
Bildad Atsegha
National Centre for Energy and Environment
Energy Commission of Nigeria University of Benin, Benin City, Nigeria
Christopher Okorie
National Centre for Energy and Environment
Energy Commission of Nigeria University of Benin, Benin City, Nigeria
James Onabe
National Centre for Energy and Environment
Energy Commission of Nigeria University of Benin, Benin City, Nigeria
Jonah D. Angalapu
National Centre for Energy and Environment
Energy Commission of Nigeria University of Benin, Benin City, Nigeria
Bawo Kubeyinje
National Centre for Energy and Environment
Energy Commission of Nigeria University of Benin, Benin City, Nigeria
Shella Amrasa Omojevwe
National Centre for Energy and Environment
Energy Commission of Nigeria University of Benin, Benin City, Nigeria
Igbinomwahia D. Iyeke
Department of Mechanical Engineering
University of Benin, Benin City, Edo State
Page 2 of 10
179
Osadebe, B., Imhontu, M., Akenzua, O., Atsegha, B., Okorie, C., Onabe, J., Angalapu, J. D., Kubeyinje, B., Omojevwe, S. A., & Iyeke, I. D. (2021).
Characterization and Composition Analysis of Municipal Solid Waste for Bioethanol Production. European Journal of Applied Sciences, 9(6). 178-
187.
URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.14738/aivp.96.11124
ABSTRACT
Every unwanted or non-useful solid substance generated in any human population
is referred to as solid waste. Globally, the management of solid waste is an
enormous challenge for municipalities. Previous studies have indicated that an
increase in population with relating attendant urbanization dynamics and growth
of continuous aggregation will further aggravate this challenge. This paper aims at
determining the potentials of using municipal solid waste as a feedstock in the
commercial production of Bioethanol. The research team which was made up of the
coordinator, co-coordinators and research assistants carried out a preliminary
survey which consist of mapping the study areas and obtaining some information
through the observation of the various sites. The study area which was the
residential areas of the University of Benin community were then mapped into
Senior Staff Quarters (which comprised of Professorial quarters, senior staff
quarters and Blocks of flats), junior staff quarters and Student Hall of Residence. A
preliminary survey form was originated for this purpose. Printing of
questionnaires, sample notes, pamphlets, stickers and tagging of bin baskets and
wheelie bins were done. A three (3) Stage sorting and characterization of
respondents’ waste were carried out. Composition of waste was determined after
which the digital weighing balance was used to determine the mass of the waste
which was recorded, before allowing proper disposal of the waste. Samples of
sorted waste (organic) were collected into sample bottles and taken to the
laboratory for microbial analysis. The solid waste generated is made of nine major
components for which color coded bags was used to differentiate them (fruit, food,
plastic, paper, glass, metals, combustibles, leaves, and ceramics). The study showed
that 58.85% of the total solid waste generated in the residential areas of the
University of Benin was made of biodegradable matter (food and fruit) which can
be harnessed for the production of Bioethanol. The recyclables (Papers and
Plastics) which are 36.34 % of the waste can also be recycled into other useful
products. Efforts should be made by stakeholders to evolve sustainable waste
management policies for disposal, waste reduction and recycling projects.
Keywords: Municipal Solid Waste, Feedstock, Bioethanol, Environment, Recycle
INTRODUCTION
Every unwanted or non-useful solid substance generated in any human population is referred
to as solid waste [1]. Globally, the management of solid waste is an enormous challenge for
municipalities. Previous studies have indicated that an increase in population with relating
attendant urbanization dynamics and growth of continuous aggregation will further aggravate
this challenge. [2], in 2006 reported on five global scenarios compiled from 1990 to 2050, in
global post-consumer waste generation. It was stated that global emissions from landfills in
1990 were 340 Tg C02 eq. (Total gas CO2 equivalent) with a large increase to 1500 Tg C02 eq.
(Total gas CO2 equivalent) by 2050. [3] and [4], more recently reviewed greenhouse gas (GHG)
emissions from landfills and listed many important relief methods as well as development and
dissemination of updated knowledge-based framework. At present, the World Bank affirms
that 2.01 billion metric tons of municipal solid waste (MSW) are produced annually worldwide,
with estimates reaching 3.40 billion metric tons by 2050 [5]. Current worldwide estimates
indicate 13.5% of waste is recycled and 5.5% is composted, with an estimated one-third and
40% of municipal solid waste as not managed properly and instead dumped or openly burned.
Page 3 of 10
180
European Journal of Applied Sciences (EJAS) Vol. 9, Issue 6, December-2021
Services for Science and Education – United Kingdom
This mismanagement is significantly split between developed and developing countries. For
example, about 80% of solid waste in African Countries is dumped indiscriminately in open
spaces, streets, storm water drains, rivers and streams, thereby estimated to contribute to
about 29% of the global greenhouse gas (GHG) and expected to increase to 64% by 2030 [5].
Nigerian cities are largely characterized by having solid waste disposal problems. They are
embodied by overflowing dumpster, mountains of open refuse dumps (i.e. virtually every
street), and temporary landfills on the edge of larger suburbs and towns. As such, the collection
and transport of municipal solid waste require the largest demand on municipals budgets. In
Nigeria, 68% of municipal solid waste is indiscriminately dumped, 28.8% is disposed through
inappropriate landfills sites and 10.7% is burnt [6], [7].
Nigeria is the most populous country in Africa covering an area of approximately 924,000 km2,
with over 200 million citizens, located in West Africa with an estimated growth rate of 26%. It
is placed 7th on a global population ranking, behind China, India, the USA, Indonesia, Brazil, and
Pakistan [8]. Nigeria is made up of 36 states and a Federal Capital Territory (FCT). It is
constituted into 774 Local Government Areas. The administrative framework in Nigeria for
solid waste management is categorized into Federal, State, and Local Government, each having
their different responsibilities as it regards to waste. The Federal Ministry of Environment is a
body charged with overseeing the protection of the environment as well as natural resources
preservation to the end of achieving sustainable development. As such, they play the role of
promulgation of National environmental laws, enforcement, and monitoring.
According to the greenhouse gas emission inventory 2000 to 2018, the contribution from
inappropriate waste was 3.0%, which is expected to double within the next 5 years, considering
that the waste generation rate is estimated between 0.5 and 1.0 kg/person/day. Industrial
operation is characterized by the generation of large volumes of municipal solid waste in the
form of solid, liquid and gas- some toxic. As a result, the Edo state waste management board (
EWMB) established by the local authorities put in place a monitoring program to regulate
environmental quality and implement steps toward a waste-free society. Despite its effort,
Benin City still falls short of achieving the board benchmark levels and ongoing management
practices are needed.
The management of solid waste should be a primary function of the municipal/local
government in each state, however, this is not so, as no Local Government Area (LGA) in Nigeria
has autonomy. What is obtainable, practically is that each state government sets up its state’s
waste management board to oversee the affairs of waste management in the states. However,
this strategy is not effective as the streets are characterized by large heaps of refuse and over
40% of citizens still don’t have their waste collected by the authorities. This is essentially the
case in Edo State. It is against this background that the Environmental Pollution and
Remediation Unit of the National Centre for Energy and Environment embarked on the
characterization and composition analysis of municipal solid waste for Bioethanol production
in Benin metropolis, south-south, zone of Nigeria, using the University of Benin community as
a case study.