Environmental Hazards of Continued Solid Waste Generation and Poor Disposal in Municipal Areas of Nigeria

Abstract

Municipal waste generation and management is a global phenomenon. This paper has critically examined the trends in waste generation and management in Nigerian urban areas. Drawing largely from related works reviewed, the paper has discovered that the rate of waste generation is 25 million tonnes per year, at a daily rate of 0.44-0.66 kg/capita/day while the density of the country ranges from 280-370 kg/m3. Further findings indicated that increased municipal waste management problem stemmed from such unethical practices of dumping wastes in streams, runways, drainages, open spaces and burning of combustible materials that release smoke and particulate matter in the environment to threaten flora, fauna and human beings. These approaches to wastes management have adverse consequences on human beings as the wastes readily become breeding ground for disease-causing organisms like rodents and insects. The paper concluded by recommending the need for public enlightenment on the menace of filthy environment, provision of waste management facilities, establishment of waste -recycling plants and encouraging more research activities into ways of recycling wastes in order to make the urban environment habitable.