Rivers State is one of the major oil producing States in Nigeria. Its capital, Port Harcourt and sub-urban
areas have witnessed an increased influx of migrants in recent time. Consequently, the consumption of
goods and services has also increased leading to generation of unprecedented quantities of municipal
solid waste. Previous efforts by relevant authorities to contain this increase in waste generation have
proved abortive due largely to among other reasons, inappropriate and unsustainable municipal solid
waste (MSW) management systems. The first step in a sustainable MSW management is to understand
the types, composition and variation that exist in the waste generated in time and space. Previous
reports have been concentrated on the characteristics of waste in Port Harcourt. This present work
evaluated solid waste composition in three LGAs in Rivers State with a view of an integrated approach
in MSW management in the State. Waste characteristics varied with the different locations studied.
Generation rate was 0.45, 0.98 and 1.16 kg/capita/day for Emougha, Obio/Akpor and Port Harcourt,
respectively. Most prominent categories were organic waste, paper and nylon. Mean percentage
composition was 65, 65.5 and 59% for organic waste, 13, 11 and 6% for paper and 12, 16 and 14% for
nylon in Port Harcourt, Obio/Akpor and Emougha LGAs, respectively. It is believed that given the
characteristics of these waste streams, a sustainable management strategy could have several benefits
including resources recovery and energy generation.