Nigeria generates about 32 million tons of solid waste every year, with much of it ending up in open drains and waterways, clogging the free flow of water from heavy rainfall and causing severe street flooding in major cities. The Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) has taken steps to address the issue, including firing multiple street sweepers and supervisors caught dumping refuse illegally along median strips.
The consequences of improper waste disposal are far-reaching, posing significant public health risks. Overflowing garbage, stagnant water, and rotting trash breed disease-carrying vectors like mosquitoes, flies, and rodents, spreading malaria, cholera, typhoid, and respiratory infections. Decomposing refuse also releases harmful greenhouse gases and toxic particulates that irritate the respiratory tract and trigger asthma.
Indiscriminate dumping also leads to the loss of recyclable resources, preventing metals, paper, and electronics from being reused. This forces industries to rely on expensive, energy-intensive raw materials instead of circular economy solutions. Furthermore, improper waste disposal has a deadly effect on marine and aquatic life, with lightweight plastics washing into rivers and oceans, killing aquatic life.
The environmental and agricultural damage caused by indiscriminate refuse dumping is also a major concern. Hazardous chemicals and heavy metals from unsegregated rubbish leach into the topsoil, stopping plant growth and poisoning agricultural crops, leading to soil damage and allowing toxins to enter the human food chain.
LAWMA enforcement teams have arrested residents and warned against patronizing unlicensed cart pushers who dump waste into drainage channels. The authority's efforts aim to mitigate the risks associated with improper waste disposal, but more needs to be done to address the issue.
Experts warn that unless collective and intentional efforts are taken to stop indiscriminate dumping and improper waste disposal, society at large will remain exposed and susceptible to the many risks that come with it. The issue requires a collaborative approach from governments, residents, and industries to ensure a sustainable solution.
According to Oyelade Phoebe Adejolaoluwa, a student of Olabisi Onabanjo University, it is essential to take a comprehensive approach to address the issue of improper waste disposal in Nigeria. This includes education, awareness, and community engagement, as well as implementing effective waste management strategies.
Key points
- Indiscriminate waste dumping and improper disposal cause severe flooding, public health risks, and environmental damage in Nigeria.
- Nigeria generates about 32 million tons of solid waste every year, with much of it ending up in open drains and waterways.
- Improper waste disposal poses significant public health risks, including the spread of diseases and respiratory infections.
