Abstract: Developing an eco-friendly method of solid waste management in society has been challenging. This study was carried out to isolate and characterize beneficial microbes for municipal solid waste management. Soil and root soybean samples were collected at a garden located at Chukwuemeka Odumegwu OJukwu University, Uli Campus. Ripe queen pineapple (Ananas comosus) specimens were bought from Nkwo Ogbe Market, Ihiala, Anambra State. The samples were screened for beneficial microorganisms using a composed medium for bacteria and yeast extract agar for yeasts. The ability of the microbial isolates to degrade complex environmental wastes was investigated using starch, fat, protein, lignin, and cellulose-containing media, which also enabled clear zones and enzymatic indexes to be measured using Congo red stain. The beneficial microbes were characterized using cultural, microscopic, biochemical, and molecular features, and phylogenetic relatedness was also investigated using standard microbiological techniques. The results revealed that 13 microorganisms were isolated from the cultured substrates, and three of the 13 isolates exhibited high degradative potential, as shown in the value of the enzymatic index. These beneficial microbes were identified as Enterobacter sp. RB1 (KX548942.1), Bacillus thuringensis PSB2c (ON939710.1), and Candida tropicalis Y3 (KY112741.1). The Phylogenetic relationship depicted that Bacillus thuringensis PSB2c and Candida tropicalis Y3 had similar ancestry, while Enterobacter sp. RB1 deviated in ancestry This study has shown that beneficial microbes degrade complex organic matter in solid wastes found in the environment, which could be optimized for novel solid waste management.

Keywords: Solid Waste Management, Beneficial Microorganisms, Biodegradation, Enzymatic Index, Microbial Characterization, Phylogenetic Analysis, Eco-friendly Solutions.