ARCHITECTURAL IMPLICATIONS

This study examines the economic potential of household organic waste management and its architectural implications for sustainable environmental design in Ekosodin Community, Benin City. Household organic waste, including food leftovers, vegetable and fruit peels, and garden waste, constitutes a significant portion of municipal solid waste, yet its economic and environmental value remains largely untapped. The research adopted a mixed-method approach, employing structured questionnaires administered to 100 households, key informant interviews with architects and waste management officials, and field observations. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, including frequency distributions and percentages, and interpreted in relation to sustainable design principles. Findings reveal that open dumping and burning are the predominant disposal methods, while composting and waste segregation are minimally practiced. Most households lack designated spaces for organic waste storage and management, indicating a critical gap in residential architectural design that could facilitate sustainable waste handling. Awareness of the economic potential of organic waste was generally low, limiting participation in composting, urban agriculture, and biogas production initiatives. The study concludes that integrating waste-responsive design features into residential architecture, coupled with public awareness campaigns, infrastructural support, and policy enforcement, can transform household organic waste into valuable resources while promoting environmental sustainability. Recommendations include incorporating designated waste management spaces in building designs, establishing community composting centers, and implementing economic incentives for organic waste valorization. This research contributes to the understanding of the intersection between household waste management, architecture, and sustainable environmental design in Nigerian urban.