Solid Waste Management Practice in a Less Developed Urban Setting: A Case Study

This paper presents the findings of a case study that explores the existing situation of solid waste management and disposal practices in metropolitan Kano; the largest urban setting in northern Nigeria. The study was developed using various data sourced from field surveys and existing literature. It reveals the indiscriminate nature of the handling and disposal of solid waste in Kano metropolis, which it identifies as unhygienic, unsustainable and poses significant threats to the environment and public health. Therefore, it is recommended that it is imperative to manage efficiently and effectively the waste generated in the area, should the overall goal of sustainable development be achieved. This should include waste minimisation at the source, resource recovery, reuse and recycling.