454 Nigerian Research Journal of Engineering and Environmental Sciences 2(2) 2017 pp. 454-463 Original Research Article CHARACTERIZATION, DISPOSAL AND MANAGEMENT OPTIONS OF MUNICIPAL SOLID WASTE IN UNIVERSITY OF BENIN, BENIN CITY, NIGERIA *Uwadiae, S.E., Nwube, P. and Aluyor, E.O. Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Benin, Benin City, Nigeria. *sylvester.uwadiae@uniben.edu ARTICLE INFORMATION ABSTRACT Article history: Received 28 June, 2017 Revised 08 September, 2017 Accepted 08 September, 2017 Available online 29 December, 2017 This study assessed the amount of municipal solid waste generated in the University of Benin, Benin City, Nigeria. Direct waste analysis and a site-specific study were carried out to collect waste characterization data and determine the overall quantity of waste generated and components of the municipal solid waste in the campus. To help obtain the data for the study on a regional basis, areas were selected from residential, commercial and institutional centres to determine the total weekly generation of waste, average daily generation rate of waste and composition of waste. Results obtained revealed that average daily waste generation rate in the University of Benin was 0.455 kg/person/day which translates to 25,643.8 kg of municipal solid waste per day (per the estimated current population of over 56,360) generated in the University of Benin, from daily residential, commercial and institutional activities. Furthermore, characterization analysis of the collected waste samples showed that the municipal solid waste generated composed of 30.22% organic waste, 26.67% plastics/rubber waste, 18.65% paper, 11.08% metals, 3.70% miscellaneous, 3.10% inert, 2.39% glass/ceramics, 2.18% textile, 1.03% electronics and 0.98% leather waste. The results obtained suggests that there is a high potential for recycling, composting, biogas production and waste to energy in the University of Benin. © 2017 RJEES. All rights reserved. Keywords: Characterisation Municipal solid waste Management Composting Recycling 1. INTRODUCTION Solid waste refers to undesired remains, residues, discarded items or by-products that are no longer needed for the initial use. Municipal solid waste (MSW) comprises vegetable and market waste, glass,