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Assessment of Solid Waste Management Practices in Public Universities in Developing Countries: Case of Nangui Abrogoua University (Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire)

Jean-Marie Pétémanagnan Ouattara, Franck Michaël Zahui, Aman Messou1, Laurraine Marie Essi Loes, Lacina Coulibaly

Demographic evolution in developing countries has a significant impact on the number of training establishments, particularly public universities. Appropriate solid waste management strategies then become a major issue to guarantee the quality of the environment, the living environment, and the health of the personnel and students. However, in Côte d’Ivoire, very few studies focus on waste management practices in universities. This study aims to examine the management practice of solid waste in Nangui Abrogoua University (UNA). Key informant interview (e.g. Services and Structures), and visual assessment was carried out to identify the major sources and types of solid waste generated and management practices. In addition, solid waste samples were collected in a systematic way from different garbage container inside the university then segregated into twelve categories, to determine the net weight of each category as well as the total weight of the waste. The result showed that three types of solid waste are produced in the institution: ordinary waste (e.g. Paper, cardboard packaging, leftover food), hazardous waste (e.g. Chemical products, cotton soaked in blood, syringes) and inert waste (e.g. Soil cuttings, remains of gravel, concrete).These are managed by three actors: the Modern Infrastructure Company for Development in Côte d’Ivoire (MICDCI), private providers and the University Heritage Service. Waste is packaged in buckets and garbage bags inside service and activity sites, and in bins and garbage cans, outside ward sand in the university courtyard, to integrate the municipality’s household waste management circuit. About 2.5 tons of solid waste is produced daily in the University, of which 1.5 tons come from offices and services, and one ton, from university canteens. However, green waste and waste from informal businesses are incinerated in illegal dumps within the university. Wastes generated in UNA are dominated by the recoverable fraction [paper (20.92%), plastics (19.65%), cardboard (11.8%) glass (0.34%) and metals (1.69%)] and biodegradable fraction (26.04%). The current practice of waste management should be improved to ensure an adequate university environment. However, the composition of the waste offers good prospects for recovery and recycling.