A Review of Solid Waste Management Practice in Nigeria

Abstract

This paper appraised solid waste management in Nigeria with a view
to both identifying the existing solid waste management practices and
current challenges. The paper also examined the benefits derivable
from the adoption of proper solid waste management techniques. The
identified methods of solid waste management are incineration,
recycling of waste, landfill, source reduction, composting and
avoidance and source reduction methods. The identified challenges
include poor funding, poor collection techniques, grossly inadequate
collection equipment, reckless disposal of solid waste on the
environment, huge increase in population and urbanization and poor
government attitude to waste management, and lack of
trained/professional waste managers. In the light of the challenges,
the paper advocates for the control of urbanization and population
growth, increased funding for the management of solid waste and
commitment from government among others.