Over the last three decades, millions of Nigerians have flocked to the country major cities in search for better economic opportunities. The World Bank revealed that every hour, the population of Lagos increases by 77 people. This upward trajectory in population is also shared by other major cities in the country, including Abuja, Ibadan, and Port Harcourt. Consequently, there has been a dramatic rise in the amount of garbage produced, putting a heavy burden on city authorities to strengthen their solid waste management strategies, particularly in low-income communities.
The World Bank estimates that by 2050, Nigerian yearly solid waste production would have increased from the current 32 million tonnes to 107 million tonnes. Two-thirds of urban houses in low-income areas lack proper management services, but in middle-class and affluent neighbourhoods, garbage is frequently collected. As a result, only 30% of all garbage produced is appropriately collected and disposed. This fact indicates an adverse future for city dwellers in low-income communities, who generate too much garbage for their limited resources to handle, leading to a myriad of environmental and health issues.
Nigeria is among nations with the highest exposure to pollution.
Without a proper management system, most people just leave their trash by the roadside, let it pile up, or throw it in landfills. Meanwhile, some become street trash or cause clogs in drainage systems by making their way to surrounding streams and water channels. From time to time, water seeps into the landfill, bringing toxins with it that might eventually end up in the food chain or drinking water sources through the groundwater aquifer or surrounding water bodies. The improper disposal of batteries and other potentially dangerous chemical residue can cause dioxins to leak into the soil and contaminate the area.
Also, burning organic trash in the open streets emits toxins into the environment, which may lead to respiratory system health issues. Recent World Bank report “Detox Development: Repurposing Environmentally Harmful Subsidies” identified Nigeria, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and India as the three nations with the highest exposure to pollution and environmental dangers. There is a clear correlation between the multi-level failure in solid waste management and the spread of diseases in low-income areas. This is because unsanitary household garbage provides an ideal environment for the breeding of several disease-causing vectors.
Ignoring management in one region might affect the whole city.
Two major reasons have contributed to and maintained a long-standing practice of improper trash disposal in Nigeria low-income areas. Firstly, trash collection in urban areas across Nigeria has been outsourced to commercial firms, who often disregard low-income neighbourhoods, viewed as unprofitable areas. The close proximity of all areas in a city means that ignoring waste management in one region might have devastating consequences for the entire city as a whole. Thus, putting waste management at the forefront in low-income areas is essential for avoiding health risks and ensuring a clean environment.
Secondly, most individuals in low-income areas have a very limited understanding of environmental issues, so they continue to engage in highly hazardous trash disposal and other environmental practices without realizing the dangers they pose. This necessitates continual sensitization on the need of keeping the environment clean and embracing environmentally friendly attitudes among people of low-income areas. Residents also need to be incentivized to sort their trash into biodegradable, compostable, reusable, and recyclable components. In the long run, these changes will result in a healthier environment.
Policymakers and city officials need to create a multi-level plan.
Existing rules on household trash management are ineffective because they prescribe a single standard for household waste management across every area of cities and towns, leaving out socioeconomic disparities between these diverse neighbourhoods. Policymakers and city officials need to create a multi-level plan and blueprint for the collection, management, recycling, and disposal of household trash in low-income neighbourhoods to guarantee effective waste management there. These strategies must be designed to promote a healthy environment, access to clean air, and protection of water sources and groundwater aquifers.
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Challenges faced with solid waste management. – Yearly waste production is expected to reach 107 million tonnes by 2050. – Express your point of view.
I agree with you that solid waste management poses significant challenges. With the projected increase in waste production to reach 107 million tonnes by 2050, it is crucial to address this issue effectively. Proper waste management is vital for environmental sustainability, public health, and the overall well-being of communities.
To tackle this challenge, it is essential to focus on waste reduction, recycling, and proper disposal methods. Promoting awareness and education about waste management practices can encourage individuals to adopt more sustainable habits, such as reducing waste generation, reusing materials, and recycling whenever possible.
Furthermore, implementing comprehensive waste management systems, including efficient collection, sorting, and treatment facilities, can help minimize the environmental impact of waste. Collaboration between government agencies, private sectors, and communities is crucial to develop and enforce effective waste management policies and regulations.
Investing in infrastructure and technology for waste management, such as waste-to-energy facilities and composting systems, can also contribute to reducing waste and generating renewable energy. Additionally, encouraging public participation through community initiatives and campaigns can foster a sense of responsibility and ownership in waste management efforts. 🌱🗑️🌍.
For more than 30 years, millions of Nigerians keep flocking to the country’s major cities in search for better economic opportunities. The World Bank has revealed that in every hour, the population of Lagos increases by 77 people. And this increase in population is also shared by other major cities like Abuja, Ibadan, and Port Harcourt. The resultant effect has been a dramatic rise in the amount of garbage produced,which as placed a heavy burden on city authorities to strengthen their solid waste management strategies, particularly in low-income communities. At this rate Nigeria yearly solid waste production would have increased from the current 32 million tonnes to 107 million tonnes. And this can pose too much garbage for their limited resources to handle, leading to environmental and health issues. Without a proper regulatory management system, most people will just leave their trash by the roadside, and allow let it pile up, or throw it in landfills and it begins to affect other areas of human life and endeavours.
And when we ignore the causes the effect will readily be shown in the life of the people. It is essentially important that Policymakers and city officials need to create a multi-level plan and blueprint for the collection, management, recycling, and disposal of household trash in low-income neighbourhoods to guarantee effective waste management there. These strategies must be designed to promote a healthy environment, access to clean air, and protection of water sources and groundwater aquifers.
Adopting a comprehensive strategy that encourages waste minimization, improved recycling and resource recovery, infrastructure investment, public awareness, the implementation of efficient policies, and international cooperation is crucial for addressing these issues.
The management of solid waste is fraught with challenges. By 2050, it is anticipated that trash production will increase and reach 107 million tonnes. Effective waste management is essential for the preservation of the environment, public health, and the overall wellbeing of communities. These tactics need to be created to support a healthy environment. Individuals can be persuaded to adopt more sustainable behaviors by raising awareness of and providing education on waste management techniques.