Sustainable Printing Waste Management in Developing Countries: A Qualitative Synthesis of Lagos State Practices

In developing countries, printing companies generate paper, ink, solvent, printing plate, and chemical waste that remain poorly documented and managed. This study synthesises evidence on sustainable printing waste management, focusing on waste reduction, source segregation, incineration, and the organisational, economic, regulatory, and infrastructural barriers to effective waste management in Lagos, Nigeria. A qualitative evidence synthesis guided by the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) 2020 statement was conducted using a purposively selected corpus of 22 peer-reviewed studies. The evidence was analysed thematically within a circular economy and waste hierarchy framework. Findings indicate that waste reduction and cleaner production offer clear benefits, while recycling and hazardous waste management depend on effective source segregation. Evidence on incineration was limited and largely concerned municipal waste, highlighting the need for appropriate emissions controls. In Lagos, key barriers include inadequate infrastructure, regulatory weaknesses, limited awareness among business owners, and weak economic incentives. An empirical survey conducted by the authors further indicates that basic paper recycling is practised, whereas ink recycling, solvent management, and emissions control systems are largely absent. The study recommends regular waste audits, waste prevention at source, improved hazardous waste regulation, and further empirical research to strengthen sustainable printing waste management in Lagos and other developing economies.