J. Mater. Environ. Sci. 3 (2) (2012) 419-424 Okeniyi and Anwan ISSN : 2028-2508 CODEN: JMESCN 419 Solid Wastes Generation in Covenant University, Ota, Nigeria: Characterisation and Implication for Sustainable Waste Management Okeniyi, Joshua Olusegun* and Anwan, Ebietudube Udonwan Mechanical Engineering Department, Covenant University, Ota Abstract Adequate waste characterisation is a requirement for effective waste management and environmental benign waste disposal system. The objectives of this paper were to estimate the percentage of various components in characterised solid waste materials generated in selected sites in Covenant University, Ota, Nigeria. The study was undertaken for 10 weeks through the weighing of solid waste generated in the institution before their delivery to landfills. The study shows that of the average waste generated per day in the institution, food waste exhibited the highest percentage generation at 26.29%, followed by polythene bag at 19.37% then 13.64% plastic bottles, 11.59% metal cans, 10.52% paper, 7.24% plastic food pack, 5.69% other combustible wastes and 5.67% polystyrene food pack. The high composition of non biodegradable wastes from this results bears implication of the requirement of alternative waste management solutions for attaining sustainable and environmental friendly waste management system in the university community. * Corresponding Author: josoken@yahoo.com ; joshua.okeniyi@covenantuniversity.edu.ng Tel: +2348069836502 Keywords: Solid wastes; waste characterisation; biodegradable waste; non biodegradable waste; environmental impact; sustainable waste management. Introduction Covenant University, Ota, is located in Ado-Odo Ota Local Government, Latitude 6° 41’N and Longitude 3° 41’E, Ogun State, Nigeria. The population distribution of the institution, as at March 2009, is over 7000 students, see Table 1, and above 1000 staffs (Table 2); and the university operate full residency of accommodation for all its students and for almost all the staffs. Table 1 Covenant University Student Population as at March, 2009 Halls of residence No of Students Peter hall 706 John hall 685 Joseph hall 799 Paul hall 776 Daniel hall 357 Esther hall 771 Mary hall 379 Deborah hall 600 Dorcas hall 617 Lydia hall 647