PROJECT PROPOSAL

Environmental Impact Assessment of Municipal Solid Waste

Incineration: A Case Study of Waste Generated in Federal

University of Agriculture, Abeokuta.

BY

BASORUN VICTOR ERI-JESU

20191606
 INTRODUCTION
The management of municipal solid waste (MSW) remains a critical environmental issue in urban
areas across the globe (United Nations Environment Programme, 2018. The rate at which municipal
solid waste is generated varies across different locations and seasons, influenced by factors such as
population density, socioeconomic status, and infrastructure (World Resources Institute, 1996;
Gidarakos et al., 2006; Khajuria, 2010). The rapid growth of urban populations globally has led to an
increase in municipal solid waste generation, particularly in residential areas and institutional settings
like universities. At the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), the rising student
population and expanding campus activities have resulted in a significant increase in waste generation
(Adeniyi et al., 2019). The daily consumption of goods and services within the university environment
has contributed to this trend (USEPA, 2019).

Managing municipal solid waste at an institution like FUNAAB requires an effective waste
management strategy. Municipal Solid Waste Management (MSWM) involves the systematic control
and processing of waste in a way that prioritizes public health, economic efficiency, and
environmental protection (Tchobanoglous et al., 1993). This includes the collection, transfer,
treatment, recycling, and disposal of waste (Ogwueleka, 2009). One of the key methods for managing
municipal solid waste at FUNAAB is incineration, a process where combustible waste is burned at
high temperatures to reduce waste volume and potentially generate energy.

Aim and Objectives

The aim of the study is to evaluate the environmental impact of incineration method of municipal
solid waste generated in Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria.

The objectives of the study however are to:

1. To estimate the waste generation rate in Kg/day
2. To determine the combustible wastes type and percentage fraction in the waste stream
3. To evaluate the incineration reaction of the combustible wastes
4. To determine the environmental impact of the incinerated waste

Expected Results
This study is expected to tell the significant amounts of CO2 that the incineration process will release
into the atmosphere, how it affects the environment, and the potential environmental impact of the
residual pile of ashes from the incineration (ASTM D5231-92, 2003).

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 LITERATURE REVIEW

Municipal solid waste management is a critical issue in Nigeria, particularly in institutional settings
like universities. The Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB) generates a significant
amount of municipal solid waste, posing environmental and health risks through open dumping.
Incineration, a waste-to-energy technology, has been proposed as a viable alternative to traditional
landfills. Nigeria generates approximately 50 million tons of municipal solid waste annually, with a
significant proportion being disposed of through open dumping (Afolabi, 2015). Open dumping leads
to environmental degradation and health hazards, including soil and water pollution, air pollution,
and the spread of diseases (EPA, 2020; Oguntoyinbo, 2017). Incineration offers energy generation
and waste reduction benefits (Afolabi, 2015), but also poses environmental risks, including air and
water pollution, greenhouse gas emissions, and ash generation (EPA, 2020; UNEP, 2019). Existing
studies on environmental impact assessment of incineration have focused on air and water pollution,
greenhouse gas emissions, and ash generation (Oguntoyinbo, 2017; UNEP, 2019). Life cycle
assessment and environmental impact factor are common methodologies used in impact assessment
(EPA, 2020). However, research on environmental impact assessment of incineration in Nigeria is
limited, with a focus on urban areas and no studies on institutional settings like universities.

This study aims to fill this gap by providing a comprehensive environmental impact assessment of
municipal solid waste incineration at FUNAAB. The assessment will focus on the environmental
impacts of incineration on air, water, and soil quality, as well as human health. By examining the
environmental implications of incineration, this study will inform decision-making on sustainable
waste management practices at FUNAAB.

Description of Area of Case Study

Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria. The university is located in the
northwest region of Abeokuta township and lies within Latitude 7013’N and Longitude 3024’E. It has
a land area of 9700 hectares. Ten (10) sampling points were selected within the university campus
from which waste samples were collected over two (2) sampling periods in accordance with ASTM
D5231-92 standard.

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 METHODOLOGY

Area description

This study will be conducted within the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB)

campus, located in Ogun State, Nigeria. The university campus spans 9700 hectares, situated in the

northwest region of Abeokuta township, with a latitude of 70°13'N and longitude of 30°24'E. This

study will employ a quantitative approach to assess the environmental impact of municipal solid

waste incineration at FUNAAB, focusing on CO2 and Ash generated.

Data Collection

Primary data will be collected through:

• Waste Characterization: A waste characterization study will be conducted to determine the

composition of municipal solid waste generated at FUNAAB.

The environmental impact of CO2 and ash generated will be assessed using:

I. Chemical Composition Analysis Method: Chemical composition analysis calculations will

be used to estimate the ash composition and CO2 emissions from municipal solid waste

incineration at FUNAAB.

II. IPCC Emission Factor Approach: The IPCC emission factor approach will be used to

estimate CO2 emissions from municipal solid waste incineration at FUNAAB.

III. WHO Guidelines: WHO guidelines for environmental impact assessment will be used to

evaluate the health and environmental risks associated with ash emissions.

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The chemical composition analysis calculations will involve:

I. Waste Composition Analysis: The waste characterization data will be used to analyze the

chemical composition of the municipal solid waste.

II. Ash Quantity Determination: The chemical composition data will be used to calculate the

ash composition.

III. CO2 Quantity Determination: The chemical composition data will be used to calculate the

CO2 generated.

Data Analysis

Descriptive statistics will be used to summarize the waste characterization, ash composition, and CO2

generated.

Sampling Points

The ten (10) sampling points selected will be categorized into five (5) classes based on the functions

they serve. These classes are:

1. Administrative Buildings

2. Hostels

3. Office Buildings

4. Colleges

5. Lecture Halls

Table below shows the ten (10) sampling points, the classes they belong to, locations and brief

discussion about the functions they serve.

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Waste Collection Sampling Points.

S/N LOCATION CATEGORY BRIEF DESCRIPTION

Senate Majorly consist of offices with administrative

1 Building Administrative Building activities.

Unity Consist of offices used for administrative

2 Building Administrative Building activities and personal office activities of staffs.

College of Veterinary Medicine (COLVET),

3 COLVET College consist of personal offices for staffs, classrooms,
laboratories, mini marts etc.

Marble Hostel A Female hostel building for students and also

4 Lodge consist of mini marts.

Julius Ameobi Okojie 3 (JAO 3) is lecture hall

5 JAO 3 Lecture Hall with mini marts.

6 AMREC Office Agricultural Media Resources and Extension

Centre (AMREC) consist of offices used as
personal offices for staffs.

7 MPB Lecture Hall

Multi-Purpose Building (MPB) is Lecture hall
with mini marts, printing shops and laboratories.

8 COLENG College
College of Engineering, consist of personal
offices for staffs, classrooms, laboratories, mini
marts etc.
9 Needs. Ass. Hostel A Female hostel building for students and also
Female consist of mini marts.

Needs. Ass. A Male hostel building for students and also

10 Male Hostel consist of mini marts.

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 REFERENCES

Adeniyi, O., Olawale, O., & Adeyemi, A. (2019). Waste Management Practices in Nigerian
Universities: A Case Study of the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB). Journal
of Environmental Management, 232, 123-134.

Afolabi, O. (2015). Municipal Solid Waste Management in Nigeria: Challenges and Prospects.
Environmental Research Journal, 9(4), 191-200.

American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM). (2003). Standard Test Method for
Determination of the Composition of Unprocessed Municipal Solid Waste (ASTM D5231-92).
ASTM International.

Gidarakos, E., Havas, G., & Ntzamilis, P. (2006). Municipal Solid Waste Composition
Determination Support for Waste Management Planning. Waste Management, 26(6), 668-679.

Khajuria, A., Yamamoto, Y., & Morioka, T. (2010). Estimation of Municipal Solid Waste
Generation and Landfill Area in Asian Developing Countries. Journal of Environmental Biology,
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Ogwueleka, T.C. (2009). Municipal Solid Waste Characteristics and Management in Nigeria.
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Oguntoyinbo, O. O. (2017). Challenges of Waste Management in Lagos: A Case Study of Olusosun

Landfill. Urban Environment, 41, 367-376.

Tchobanoglous, G., Theisen, H., & Vigil, S. (1993). Integrated Solid Waste Management:
Engineering Principles and Management Issues. McGraw-Hill.

United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). (2018). Municipal Solid Waste Management: A
Global Challenge. UNEP.

United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA). (2019). Advancing Sustainable

Materials Management: 2016 and 2017 Tables and Figures. USEPA.

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