Problems and prospects of refuse disposal in nigerian urban centres

Abstract

Refuse disposal is one of the major environmental problems that developing countries are faced with. Health hazard, traffic congestion, unsightliness, unpleasantness and blockage of drainages are some of the problems caused by the lack of efficient waste management practice in Nigeria. The problem of waste management has two parts, that of collection and that of disposal. Communal collection, block collection, door to door collection and kerbside collection methods have been practiced by different societies. A lot of problems are faced in the collection process like climatic problems, public attitude, nature of waste, and transport condition. Disposal methods such as dumping sites, incineration, recycling, shipping and home garbage disposal units have been used in different societies. There are newer advances in disposal methods, such as pyrolysis, biodegradable containers and biodegradation. These have fewer functional problems but more feasibility problems such as initial and maintenance costs. The government as well as the citizenry has roles to play in adopting more suitable solutions to this problem. Keywords: Refuse disposal, waste management, biodegradation, urban centers, Nigeria