The Role of Harmonized Solid Waste Management in Mitigation of Wastes and Climate Change in Calabar South

Abstract

The exponential increase in solid waste generation in Calabar South, Nigeria, presents a multidimensional urban and climate challenge, mostly driven by demographic expansion and intensified commercial activities. The current waste management system marked by open dumping, poor collection logistics, and weak institutional coordination proves insufficient. Waste accumulation obstructs urban drainage, leading to severe flooding, particularly during the prolonged wet season. Climate-induced events, such as rising sea levels and erratic rainfall, further destabilize landfills and hinder waste logistics. Also, waste scavengers operating without regulation also interfere with designated disposal systems, disrupting waste integrity, generating odor, and increasing the risk of air and water contamination. The introduction of a Harmonized Solid Waste Management (HSWM) strategy becomes essential to address these challenges. HSWM proposes an integrated approach that promotes waste segregation at source, logistical efficiency, stakeholder synergy, and material valorization. It is a framework that will treat waste not as an environmental burden but as a potential economic resource. Additionally, the framework promotes industrial accountability and localized solutions such as domestic production of receptacles. Therefore, implementing the HSWM model in Calabar South is critical for mitigating urban flooding, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and achieving long-term sustainability.