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ABSTRACT
This study aims to evaluate and enhance the solid waste management (SWM) system in Ehor, the administrative center of Uhumwonde Local Government Council in Edo State, Nigeria. The primary goal is to identify the strengths and weaknesses of the current system and propose improved strategies for sustainable environmental management. The justification for this study lies in the pressing need to address the inefficiencies of the existing SWM system, which has led to significant environmental and public health issues, including indiscriminate waste dumping and contamination of water sources. The research methodology involved projecting the future population of Ehor using arithmetic methods, administering questionnaires to 395 households selected through stratified random sampling, and conducting semi-structured interviews with engineers and administrators in the Environmental Sanitation unit of the Uhumwonde Local Government Council. This multifaceted approach ensured a comprehensive assessment of the current SWM practices and the community’s waste management needs. Findings indicate a projected population of around 59,000 individuals in Ehor by 2039, highlighting the urgent need for a more effective SWM system. The study reveals that the existing system is inadequate, with issues such as indiscriminate waste dumping and unregulated waste incineration leading to environmental pollution and health risks. In response, a sanitary landfill with a 20-year service life was designed, Citizens express willingness to pay for improved waste management services, indicating support for proposed interventions. Recommendations include adopting a private sector participation model to manage the enhanced solid waste management system, addressing deficiencies associated with public sector inefficiencies and ensuring enhanced public health and environmental sustainability outcomes for the community.
