Economics and Public Health Implications of Solid Waste Management in Nigeria: A Review

Abstract

Nigeria's population growth as a result of urban techno-economic development and changes in the production and consumption of materials has increased the amount of solid trash produced. The nation's existing waste management procedures are unsustainable and are putting both the environment and the economy in danger. In this research, we evaluate the major elements of the available literature, including waste characterization, waste management techniques, economic impacts of solid waste management as well as the consequences on public health. From the result of the investigation, it was determined that the country's current waste management practices are unsuccessful and that improper solid waste management has a detrimental influence on public health, contributing to diseases like typhoid, cholera, polio, malaria, and yellow fever. Yet, properly managed solid waste can also provide some economic benefits, such as providing industries with raw materials and a means of subsistence for the individuals who are employed in the management process. So, to handle solid waste efficiently, households must be educated on proper disposal methods, and waste management organizations must create recycling facilities.