The study examined municipal solid wastes characteristics of Gosa dumpsite at Abuja, Nigeria. Waste characterization has not yet been given adequate attention in management of waste in Nigeria and it is a major problem that affects waste materials handling and recovery processes. Wastes samples from Gosa waste dump site, Abuja, were randomly collected and subjected to moisture content, composition, density and size distribution determinations according to prescribed standards in literature. The moisture content of the Gosa waste solid was 19.3%. The results of the characterization of the Gosa municipal solid wastes show 34% organic, 10% paper, 28% plastic, 2% glass, 6% metal, 4% fabric, 2% rubber and 14% dust. The average density of glass, metal, plastic, fabric, rubber, paper, organic and dust materials were 0.044 kg/m3, 0.045 kg/m3, 0.176 kg/m3, 0.043 kg/m3, 0.042 kg/m3, 0.074 kg/m3, 0.143 kg/m3 and 0.098 kg/m3, respectively. The size distribution of the Gosa solid waste ranges from 10-28 cm for metals and plastics and 3-13 cm for paper and glass. The rubber had size ranges from 8-23 cm while size ranges of organic was from 3-6 cm. The large presence of organic, plastic, paper and metal wastes at Gosa waste dump site, is an indication that the municipal solid wastes can be sorted, recycled and processed to other useful products, using the characteristics as a guide.Keyword: Characterization, Density, Municipal Solid Waste, Size Distribution, Waste Management
Characterization of Gosa Municipal Solid Wastes at Abuja, Nigeria