A REVIEW OF ECOPRENEURSHIP IN SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT

Abstract

Sustainable solid waste management requires urgent attention, especially in developing countries like Nigeria. Entrepreneurship is recognised globally as a panacea to many environmental problems. A variant of entrepreneurship that
attempts to resolve all kinds of environmental issues, including solid waste management, is called ecopreneurship. However, the extant literature is void of information on the ecopreneurship approach to solid waste management in Nigeria. This literature review utilises qualitative content analytical method to describe the traditional solid waste management practices (SWMPs) commonly employed in Nigeria and to pinpoint integrated solid waste management practice (ISWMP) as the domain of ecopreneurship in solid waste management. Four elements of ecopreneurship that could drive ISWMPs are identified – eco-culture, eco-innovation, eco-commitment and eco-enterprises. For the success of the ecopreneurship approach in solid waste management issues in the country, some guidelines are proposed to assist in policy formulation. In conclusion, the study
acknowledges ecopreneurship approach as a viable option for resourceful and sustainable solid waste management in Nigeria.