Abstract:

Some of the challenges that characterized the ineffective management of Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) in developing countries are inefficient collection methods, insufficient coverage of the collection system and improper disposal of solid waste. A study was conducted in Ota, Ogun State, Nigeria, on the current pattern of waste collection, transfer and disposal of MSW in the municipality. Visual basic program was utilized as an innovative tool to optimize the selection of the best haulage system among three systems (conventional-, modified- and Stationary- hauled system) of waste collection, transfer and disposal of MSW. Factors that affect the costs of collection and transportation of waste such as: vehicle cost, total time spent on waste collection, vehicle depreciation cost and gross travel cost, were considered in the analysis. This study also tracks the challenges with wrongly located waste containers in the municipality. The result of the study shows that the stationary hauled method of waste collection is the optimal and economical method of collection. The application of visual basic program proffers implementable solutions to MSW collection, transportation and disposal problems. These include: vehicle routing, environmental sustainability and healthy living of the populace. This would facilitate the development of aesthetically balanced and environmentally friendly municipality that would perhaps boost economic development of the nation at large.

Keywords:

Ota, Municipal Solid Waste, Optimal Collection Cost, Haulage Systems, Visual Basic, Environmental Sustainability.