title: Carbon emissions reduction strategies in Africa from improved waste management: a review.
abstract: The paper summarises a literature review into waste management practices across Africa as part of a study to assess methods to reduce carbon emissions. Research shows that the average organic content for urban Municipal Solid Waste in Africa is around 56% and its degradation is a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions. The paper concludes that the most practical and economic way to manage waste in the majority of urban communities in Africa and therefore reduce carbon emissions is to separate waste at collection points to remove dry recyclables by door to door collection, compost the remaining biogenic carbon waste in windrows, using the maturated compost as a substitute fertilizer and dispose the remaining fossil carbon waste in controlled landfills.
authors.affiliation: University of KwaZulu-Natal, CRECHE, School of Civil Engineering, Survey and Construction, Durban 4041, South Africa.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Couth
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Trois
mesh_terms: D000349:Africa; D000393:Air Pollutants; D002244:Carbon / Q000737:chemistry*; D002947:Cities; D003247:Conservation of Natural Resources; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods; D005308:Fertilizers; D016730:Program Development; D059027:Recycling / Q000379:methods; D012037:Refuse Disposal / Q000379:methods*; D012987:Soil; D018505:Waste Management / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D000393:Air Pollutants; D005308:Fertilizers; D012987:Soil; D002244:Carbon