A Green Economy Approach to Solid Waste Management in Minna, Nigeria

This study is based on solid waste recycling activities in Minna, Nigeria. The objectives of the study are to take inventory of recycling outlets, to examine the recycling inputs and the products produced by the recyclers, to assess the operating environment of the recycling cluster and to investigate the livelihood opportunities that recycling generates. The result shows that the recycling cluster occupies an area of 0.64 hectares that accommodates 141 recycling outlets with about 40% of the outlets occupying below the standard shop size of 7.2m2. The recycling outlets use 18 types of recovered materials to reproduce   27 varieties of products. Each recycling outlet engages about 3.4 persons and offers training to an average of 6 persons each. In general, the sector contributes to creation of employment, income generation, skill development, asset building and social capital formation.