Evaluation of the University of Lagos waste generation trend

This study examines waste generation patterns at the University of Lagos (UoL), Nigeria, to inform decision-making towards improving the efficiency of the university’s management strategies in line with Sustainable Development Goal 12, target 12.5 to reduce waste generation through prevention, reduction, recycling, and reuse by 2030. The moving average of the waste generation was studied using time series data. During October 2014 to October 2016 the UoL generated an average of 877.5 tons of waste every month, with the lowest observed value being 496.6 tons and the highest recorded value being 1250.5 tons. The trend result indicates a gradual decrease in the generation of waste over time. There is also a noticeable negative cyclical pattern with seasonal variations, where the highest generation point is observed in March and the lowest point is observed in June, particularly in the latter half of the second quarter, as time progresses. Although there is a reduction in the amount of waste generated over time, it is crucial to persist in evaluating diverse waste management strategies that could further reduce the amount of waste generated in the case study area.