Beyond the Landfill: An Evaluation of Lagos State's Waste Disposal Management Methods and the Transition towards a Circular Economy (2020-2026)

Abstract

Lagos, Africa's most populous megacity, generates approximately 17,000 tonnes of municipal solid waste daily, presenting one of the most formidable urban environmental challenges on the continent. This paper provides a comprehensive evaluation of waste disposal management methods operated by the Lagos State Government between 2020 and 2026, examining the systemic evolution from a landfill-dependent linear model towards a circular economy framework. Drawing on recent empirical data, including landfill performance metrics, Private Sector Participation (PSP) operator assessments, and community-level studies, the research identifies critical infrastructure deficits, policy implementation gaps, and governance challenges that have perpetuated the waste crisis. The study reveals that while the government has demonstrated commendable policy ambition including plans to decommission the ageing Olusosun and Solous landfills, develop Transfer Loading Stations (TLS) and Material Recovery Facilities (MRF), and enforce mandatory waste sorting significant operational bottlenecks persist. These include inadequate collection infrastructure, PSP operator underperformance, limited community access to formal services, and weak enforcement mechanisms. The paper proffers a multi-dimensional framework for sustainable waste management reform, encompassing infrastructure modernization, PSP sector restructuring, informal sector integration, community engagement, and enhanced regulatory enforcement. The findings contribute to the scholarly discourse on urban waste management in developing megacities and offer actionable policy recommendations for Lagos and analogous contexts.