EFFECTIVE WASTAGE MANAGEMENT TOWARDS ACHIEVING

ECONOMIC GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT

BY

O. J. APOCHI
B.SC [BUILDING], M.SC [CONST. MGT] MNIOB, REGD BUILDER.

ZUBAIRU TIJJANI ONUVAJOR

B.Sc. (Building), M.Sc. (Construction Technology), MNIOB, Regd. Builder
DEPARTMENT OF BUILDING

&
A.O. IKUPOLATI

B.SC [QUANTITY SURVEYING], M.SC [CONST. MGT] MNIQS

DEPARTMENT OF QUANTITY SURVEYING,

COLLEGE OF ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES,

KADUNA POLYTECHNIC,
KADUNA.

BEING A PAPER PRESENTED AT THE 4TH NATIONAL CONFERENCE OF

COLLEGES OF AGRICULTURE, ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES, ENGINEERING,
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, USMAN KATSINA POLYTECHNIC, KATSINA, ON
THE THEME NIGERIA @ 50: THE ROLE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
TOWARDS ACHIEVING ECONOMIC GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT.

HELD AT
NEW MULTIPURPOSE HALL, HUK POLYTECHNIC, KATSINA.
TUESDAY, 1ST FEBRUARY – 3RD FEBRUARY, 2011
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ABSTRACT

This paper looks at the various sources of solid wastes generation, disposal and its effects on the
environment using Tudun Wada as a case study. From the study, it was discovered that the main
sources of solid waste were from domestic and commercial activities. This paper was carried out
based on personal observation, interviews conducted as well as the use of questionnaire to
determine the type of wastes generated and their disposal methods. Based on the analysis for this
research work, it was discovered that most of the wastes generated in Tudun – Wada Kaduna
included Agricultural wastes, can bottles, plastics, wooden, textile materials etc. As long as solid
waste is not improperly disposed off, the harmful effects of environmental degradation such as
filth, flooding and diseases exist. It should be noted however that solid waste can only be
minimized, but can not be eliminated completely. Therefore, it is necessary to find a lasting
solution to reduce indiscriminate dumping of solid waste to an optimum level, if
recommendations such as enlightment of the people; empowerment of environmental agencies to
punish offenders; introduction of sanitary inspectors; recycling of wastes for economic
empowerment and the use of other methods etc.

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BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

The generation of solid waste is an inevitable consequence in almost all human activities.
For example during the 1st century of the industrial revolution volume of waste produced
in the United States was relatively small and could be effectively handled by the concept
of “dilute and disperse “as industries then were located near the rivers. The industries
were located near the rivers because water provides a number of benefits to man such as :
( Beall, 2002).
i. Easy transportation of materials by boat.
ii. Sufficient water for processing and cooling.
iii. Easy disposal of waste into river etc.

With few industries around and a sparse population, dilute and disperse seemed to
remove the waste from the environment. Unfortunately, as industrial and urban areas
expanded the concept of dilute and disperse became inadequate. Until recently, Kaduna
being the former capital city of Northern region prides itself as a modern city of repute in
all it ramifications. It was characterized orderliness and neatness. But today, the presence
of piles of refuse dotting the entire city may have turned Kaduna city to a garbage ridden
city. Despite the setting up of Kaduna Environmental Protection Authority (KEPA), The
situation has remained largely characterized by indiscriminate dumping of wastes-
industrial, commercial and household- such as food waste, paper, polythene, textiles,
scrap metals, glasses, wood, plastic, etc. at streets corners and gutters, is still very
common. The situation is so bad that traffic flow is obstructed, while there is likelihood
that leachates from such dumps, after mixing with rain water, have the potential to
contaminate drinking water. However, no one wants to live near a waste disposal site, be
it a sanitary landfill for municipal waste, or an incinerator that burns urban waste,
whatever the case may be, waste disposal sites are necessary and must be well managed if
society is to function smoothly. It is the task of both society and government to ensure
that disposal is carried out in such a way that it does not seriously damage the
environment. This is why a study on the impact of solid waste on the environment needs
to be carried out.

Solid wastes in Tudun – Wada Kaduna south Local Government Area of Kaduna State,
accelerate the deterioration of the environment and degrade the quality of human health
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in the area. It is entirely appropriate that the local government council should be carrying
out an active programme on health and pollution control. Since the population of
residence in the area is increasing at an alarming rate, this has led to the increase of
diseases within the area.

However, most of the activities that take place within the area contribute immensely to
the production of solid waste. Therefore, as a result of improper way of disposing the
solid waste, it pollutes the environment causing foul odour, infections to food stuff and
other consumable item of products. There was cholera out break on the area recently
which is usually associated with pollution and filthing environment.

OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

The objectives of this study includes: To

1. Investigate the major causes / sources of solid waste generated in Tudun- Wada
metropolis.

2. Highlight the impact of solid wastes on the environment

3. Find out the disposal methods used in the area.

4. Provide suggestions and make recommendations where necessary

SCOPE OF THE STUDY

The scope is specifically on solid waste disposal and centered on the impact associated
with its improper disposal and collection in Tudun – Wada Kaduna South Local
Government Area.

The nature of waste could be inform of degradable materials such as vegetable, papers,
fruits, wooden materials, dead animals remains etc. non degradable materials include
polythene, plastics, bottles, wastes, cans, glass, light bulbs, pesticides containers,
batteries, etc.

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LITRATURE REVIEW

Solid waste is always arising from domestic, social and industrial activities, which is
increasing in quantity and variety as a result of increase in population.

In many countries the management of solid waste has been neglected because of failure
to appreciate the potential environment hazards resulting from its inadequate
management by whoever is responsible or due to lack of technical and financial
resources.

The following are the areas which comprehensive understanding places one in a vintage
position to deal with solid waste management with success: (Kenneth, 1994).

 The functional elements of solid waste

 Waste generation
 Waste handling and separation, storage and processing at the source of
collection
 Separation and processing and transformation of solids wastes
 Transfer and transport
 Disposal
 Energy generation

The functional elements of solid waste

Waste generation

Waste generation encompasses activities in which materials are identified as no longer

being of value and are thrown out or gathered for disposal.

Waste handling and separation, storage and processing at the source

Waste handling and separation involves the activities associated with management of
waste until they are placed in storage container for collection. Handling also encompasses
the movement of loaded containers to the point of collection. Separation of waste
components is an important step in the handling and storage of solid waste at the source.

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Collection

The functional element of collection includes not only the gathering of solid waste and
recyclable materials, but also the transport of these materials, after collection, to the
location where the collection vehicle is emptied. This location may be a meterials
processing facility, a transfer station or a landfill disposal sites.

Transfer and Transport

This element involves two steps: (Edulge and Pelt, 1994).

i. The transfer of wastes from the smaller collection vehicle to the larger transport
equipment
ii. The subsequent transport of the wastes, usually over the long distances, to a
processing or disposal site.

Disposal

Today the disposal of wastes by land filling or land spreading is the ultimate fate of all
solid wastes, whether they are residential wastes collected and transported directly to a
landfill site, residual materials from materials discovery facilities (MRFs), residue from
the combustion of solid waste, compost or other substances from various solid waste
processing facilities. A modern sanitary landfill is not a dump; it is an engineered facility
used for disposing of solid wastes on land without creating nuisances or hazards to public
health or safety, such as the breeding of insects and the contamination of ground water.

Energy Generation

Municipal solid waste can be used to generate energy. Several technologies have been
developed that make the processing of MSW for energy generation cleaner and more
economical than ever before, including landfill gas capture, combustion, pyrolysis,
gasification, and plasma arc gasification. While older waste incineration plants emitted
high levels of pollutants, recent regulatory changes and new technologies have
significantly reduced this concern. EPA regulations in 1995 and 2000 under the Clean Air
Act have succeeded in reducing emissions of dioxins from waste – to- energy facilities by
more than 99 percent below 1990 levels, while mercury emissions have been reduced by

6
over 90 percent. The EPA noted these improvements in 2003, citing waste-to-energy as a
power source “with less environmental impact than almost any other source of
electricity”.

METHODOLOGY

INTRODUCTION
The method used in carrying out this research work includes personal interview and
designed questionnaire within the study area, which involves people living around the
dumping site and local government health officials.

DESIGN OF THE STUDY

This research is carried out using random sampling survey in order to know the opinion
and perception of the health workers, inhabitants around and the general public all within
Tudun – Wada area, using a structured questionnaire.

For easy way to carry out this research successfully, copies of questionnaires were also
designed to collect information on problems of indiscriminate solid waste disposal in the
study area.

The questionnaires contain five items.

AREA OF STUDY

The study area covers the whole of Tudun – Wada located at the southern part of Kaduna
metropolis and it falls under the jurisdiction of Kaduna south local government area, were
most of the commercial and industrial activities of the state take place.

POPULATION OF THE SAMPLE

The sample size of the population of the study comprises of 100 respondents out of 120
questionnaires distributed for opinion and responses. Each questionnaire was distributed
to represent the people opinion by sampling their ideas, and was followed with personal
interviews to clear any grey area.

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SAMPLING TECHNIQUE USED

The sample technique used in the research was random sampling where every member
has an equal chance of being chosen, to represent many people.

METHOD OF DATA COLLECTION

For the purpose of this project, questionnaire administration and personal observation and
interview methods were used, with most of the data collected through oral interview. This
was due to the fact that the attitude of our people most preferred to speak their opinion,
by means of verbal interview, rather than to write their comments.

Although, it is time consuming, but it proved successfully especially with people around
the study area, the questions raised during the interview ranges from the problem of
collection, transportation, disposal and health implications of solid wastes.

QESTIONNAIRE ADMINISTRATION

This distribution of questionnaire was carried out to find out information from 120
respondents of five different areas of the study. The individuals were given the
questionnaire street by street to answer according to how it was set by completing or
commenting and by ticking which he / she may think as the right answer.

TABLE 1 Response Rate

S/No Location/Area of No of questionnaire Returned Unreturned Percentage

study given out of return
1. Zango road 30 25 5 83.3%
2. Layin Kosai 20 15 5 75.0%
3. Kinkinua 30 25 5 83.3%
4. Yan’tukwane 20 15 5 75.0%
5. Abatuwa 20 20 0 100.0%
Total 120 100 20 83.3%
This shows that the research is successfully being achieved by obtaining the necessary
information from the public at the study area.

METHOD OF DATA ANALYSIS

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 After all data have been collected, the next step is to analyze them. The first step in data
analysis is the ability to identify the types of data collected, then the presentation of
results.

DATA ANALYSIS DISCUSSION AND RESULTS

The information was collected to determine the health I implication of indiscriminate

solid waste dumping, the detrimental impact of improper handling, control and
management of solid wastes in Tudun – Wada Kaduna metropolis. The variables upon
which information were collected includes:
i. Do people regard solid waste collection as priority issues
ii. Which method of solid waste disposal is used.
iii. How frequent does the local Government collect wastes from the area.
iv. How can the participation and cooperation of the community are improved upon.
v. Is there need to sort out the waste into degradable, non degradable combustible
and non combustible. The aim of this works is to analyze the research question
and data collected from the public.

4.1 ANALYSIS OF THE GENERAL DATA

In analyzing the data collected from the respondents, the available information gathered
in the Tudun – Wada metropolis, in fact is that, the concentration of solid wastes in the
area mostly results from domestic and commercial activities.

4.2 ANALYSIS OF RESEARCH QUESTION ONE

The research question one (1) “Do the people regard solid waste collection as a priority
issue“?

In analyzing this question available information were obtained both through the oral
interview and questionnaire responded to from the public. A lot of people had shown
their concern about lack of showing their priority on solid waste collection, which now
has become a menace to different societies and the environment in general.

They also responded that because of the negligence, solid waste does cause over flooding
in their houses especially those who are very close to the river side.

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 Dumping of solid waste into drainage system this blocks most of the water channels and
result to flooding.

ANALYSIS OF RESEARCH QUESTION TWO

The research question (2) “which method is used for solid waste disposal? In analyzing
this research question oral interview and questionnaires were distributed and the
information obtained from respondents are as follows:

TABLE 2 Method of Waste Disposal

S/no. Responses Respondents

1. Open dumping 65%
2. Incineration 15%
3. Composting 0%
4. Land fills 20%

From the information obtained in table 2, the respondents show that most of the people
about 65% in Tudun – Wada Kaduna are practicing open dumping.

Therefore, people prefer an open dumping than other method of disposal may be because
of its cheap and easiest means of waste disposal. An incineration method of disposal is
only done in specializes places like hospitals and clinics which has 15% only.
Composting, the organic matter here is being decomposed and used as a compound
manure to improve soil fertility for agricultural purposes which has 20% only.

ANALYSIS OF RESEARCH QUESTION THREE

The research question (3) was “How frequent do you collect your wastes “. In analyzing
this question also available information were obtained through verbal interview and
questionnaire, the information obtained were tabulated below:

Environmentalist, town planners, architects etc. their duty is to control the habit of
indiscriminate and illegal dumping of waste.

TABLE 3 Frequency of Waste Collection

S/no Responses Respondents

1. Daily collection 30%
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 2. Weekly collection 60%
3. Monthly collection 10%

From table 3, we can see that the highest percentage of people choose weekly collection
than daily and monthly c collection hence they constitute 60% of the populace in the
study area.

The second were those preferred daily collection. The make up 30% due to the high
number of people dumping their waste as a result of population density in that axis then
followed by monthly collection which has 10% only.

ANALYSIS OF RESEARCH QUESTION FOUR

The research question (4) was “How can the participation and cooperation of the
community be improved upon.”?

Base on the information available from the respondents this can be improved by forming
organization/ communities in the community that includes environmentalist, town
planners, architects e.t.c. their duty is to control the habit of indiscriminate and illegal
dumping of wastes.

SUMMARY AND SUGGESTIONS

SUMMARYOF FINDINGS
This research work is solely on impact of indiscriminate dumping of solid wastes. Wastes
as discussed in preceding chapters are any unwanted materials that need to be discarded
by the owner. The project includes how solid waste is being generated, and disposed.
Oral interviews were also conduced, questionnaires were distributed and filled by
respondents and a general analysis was made.
It was also discovered that the people in Tudun – Wada Kaduna engage in open dumping,
because they lack adequate supply of dustbin, also very few locations have dumpsites
build for waste disposal and most of these wastes are not regularly removed by the
authorities concerned. Hence, such wastes often spill unto roads impairing free
movement of traffic with offensive odour, emanating from them and posing a very
serious health hazard.

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CONCLUSION

In conclusion this work was carried out in Tudun – Wada South Local Government
(Kaduna Metropolis) to find out sources of solid waste, the method of dumping and its
effects or impact on the people and their environment.

Through information gathered from respondents adequate measures should be taking to

en sure that wastes are not disposed indiscriminately but properly and effectively
managed.

RECOMMENDATIONS

Having gone through the various parts of Tudun – Wada area and seen the existent at
which indiscriminate dumping of waste is being practiced:
i. We should develop individual personal attitudes in preventing the indiscriminate
or scattering of waste around. Hence extra work has to be done by authorities
concerned by way of regular public enlightenment campaigns on television,
radios, handbills and posters for better awareness and clean environment.
ii. Before given approval to any commercial activity that produces waste, the
agency concerned must be satisfied with the method of evacuating the waste.
iii. All commercial buses must carry along dust bins in their buses and the wastes
should be properly disposed off.
iv. Government agency in charged of environmental sanitation, should be given
more powers to prosecute violators.
v. To protect our urban and rural environment from menace of pollution, more
dump sites should be constructed and wastes evacuated more regularly.
vi. All drainages should be properly covered to avoid wastes being dumped into
them. All trucks used for evacuating wastes should be properly covered.
vii. Other disposal methods such as recycling, incinerator and compositing, plasma
gasification should be pursued.

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