Municipal Solid Waste Re-Use and Recycling for Wealth Creation and Sustainable Environment in Zaria, Kaduna State, Nigeria.
ABSTRACT
Municipal solid wastes re-use and recycling have multiple socioeconomic and environmental benefits that have not been adequately examined in Zaria, Kaduna State, Nigeria.
The objectives of this research are to: examine the socio-economic and demographic characteristics of waste management entrepreneurs; identify the sources and destinations of recyclable municipal solid waste.
Analyse the quantity of waste materials (metal scraps, plastics and cans) recovered, reused and transported for recycling; identify the type of uses recyclable materials are put into in the study area; and examine the socioeconomic benefit of waste re-use and recycling.
A total of 252 scrap metal/plastic collectors, scavengers and artisanal recyclers‘ were studied using purposive and snowball sampling techniques. Tables, percentages, charts and multiple linear regression techniques were used for the analysis.
The results showed that majority of the waste collectors within the twelve localities of Zaria were less than 20 years old. Generally, the low educational level of the respondents indicates that formal educational qualification is not a major determinant of being an actor in this type of business.
Cans and aluminium, scrap metal, assorted plastics, are the major materials that attract waste entrepreneurs in Zaria. about 71.8% of waste collectors collect waste from multiple sources and majority of the waste actors about 61.5% collect less than 100 kg of valuable waste materials every week.
Products produced by artisanal recyclers from cans and scrap Aluminium includes majorly pots and frying pan. A relatively high proportion (56.7%) of plastic collectors disposes the assorted plastics to those involved in reuse like, bottling of locally made drinks (Zobo and Kunu), traditional herbs and honey.
The average monthly income for about 43.3% was above N16, 000. 00 which is quite better compared with the Nigerian minimum wage standard. Also all the respondents claimed that no harmful solid substances were released into the environment as a result of artisanal recycling activity.
Further, about 30% of waste management entrepreneurs are employers of labour, with 13.5% having more than 6 employees.
The multiple regression analysis revealed that the number of people employed in waste business and quantity of waste collected have significant impact on their income with coefficients of 0.343 and 0.360 respectively, while the coefficient of multiple determination (R2) indicate a total variation of 42.5% at 5% level of significance.
However, challenges militating against waste recycling in Zaria include lack of a functional recycling plant; price fluctuation and the cost of conveying recyclables to recycling plants outside the study area among others.
It is concluded that municipal solid waste re-use and recycling activities contribute more to waste management than the government owned agencies in the study area.
Their activities in sustainable waste management should be incorporated into the state environmental protection agency institutional framework.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Title page i
Declaration ii
Certification iii
Dedication iv
Acknowledgement v
Abstract vii
Table of contents ix
List of Tables xiii
List of Figures xiv
List of Plates xv
CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background to the study 1
1.2 Statement of the research problem 7
1.3 Study aim and objectives 10
1.4 Justification for the study 11
1.5 Scope and delimitation of the study 12
CHAPTER TWO: CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK AND LITERATURE REVIEW
2.1 Conceptual issues 13
2.1.1 Scavenging 13
2.1.2 Re-use 13
2.1.3 Recycling 14
2.2 Conceptual framework 14
2.3 Literature review 17
2.3.1 Waste management 17
2.3.2 Scavenging activities 25
2.3.3 Recycling activities 28
2.3.4 Re-use activities 31
2.3.5 Laws/regulations on solid waste management in Nigeria 32
2.3.6 Waste management practices 35
2.3.7 Integrated solid waste management approach 36
2.3.8 Benefits from ISWM 39
2.3.9 Constraints to effective ISWM 41
2.3.10 Sustainable waste management 43
CHAPTER THREE: THE STUDY AREA AND METHODOLOGY
3.1 Background of the study area 46
3.1.1 Location 46
3.1.2 The physical features of Zaria 48
3.1.2.1 Weather and climate 48
3.1.2.2 Geology of Zaria 49
3.1.2.3 Drainage System 50
3.1.2.4 Soil 50
3.1.2.5 Vegetation 51
3.1.3 Population 52
3.1.4 Urban structure of Zaria 53
3.1.5 Socio-cultural and economic characteristics 55
3.2 Methodology 56
3.2.1 Types of data required 56
3.2.2 Sources of data 57
3.2.2.1 Primary source of data 57
3.2.2.2 Secondary source of data 58
3.2.3 Sampling technique and sample size 58
3.2.4 Techniques of data analysis 59
CHAPTER FOUR: PRESENTATION OF RESULTS AND DISCUSSION OF FINDINGS
4.1 Socio-economic and Demographic Characteristics of Respondents 61
4.1.1 Age of respondents 61
4.1.2 Sex of respondents 62
4.1.3 Religion of respondents 62
4.1.4 Ethnic group of respondents 62
4.1.5 Educational qualification of respondents 63
4.1.6 Marital status of respondents 63
4.2 Waste collection, reuse and recycling 65
4.2.1 Sources of waste 65
4.2.2 Volume and Characteristics of Waste materials collected 67
4.2.3 Destinations of retrieved waste materials 70
4.2.4 Quantity of waste materials collected weekly by respondents 73
4.2.5 Artisanal recyclers among respondents 74
4.2.6 Assorted plastic collection and its utilization 74
4.2.7 Plastic bottle collections and reuse activities 76
4.3 Socio-economic benefit of waste management to WMEs 77
4.3.1 Income of respondents 77
4.3.2 Cost of assorted waste materials 79
4.3.3 Cost of a dozen of assorted plastics 80
4.3.4 Cost of conveying assorted waste materials 80
4.3.5 Cost of 1 tonne of waste material in recycling industries 81
4.3.6 Waste management enterprises and job creation 81
4.4 Challenges in waste management activities 82
4.5 Waste management and the state of the environment 83
4.5.1 Awareness of environmental benefit of waste management and the environment among respondents 83
4.5.2 Knowledge of waste as a threat to the environment 84
4.5.3 Multiple linear regression analysis of benefits from waste management activities 85
CHAPTER FIVE: SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS
5.1 Summary 88
5.2 Conclusion 90
5.3 Recommendations 91
5.3.1 Specific Recommendations 91
5.3.2 The institutional framework for waste management in Zaria 93
References 96
Appendix 106
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background to the Study
The term waste‘ has a different meaning for different people. In general, waste is unwanted‘ for the person who discards it; a product or material that does not have a value anymore for the first user and is therefore thrown away.
But unwanted‘ is subjective and the waste could have value for another person in a different circumstance, or even in a different culture (Van de Klundert and Justine, 2001). There are many large industries that operate primarily or exclusively using waste materials such as paper and metals as their industrial raw materials.
In the context of Integrated Solid Waste Management (ISWM), waste is regarded both as valueless and as a useful material providing a potential source of income.
This real value of waste in many low-and middle-income countries (developing countries) is confirmed by the huge informal sector that lives on waste collection and recovery (Van de Klundert and Justine, 2001).
Waste, either in solid or liquid form is being produced since the dawn of human existence and it is not excessive to say, waste is the first thing generated before people are able to contribute to the betterment of lives.
Due to social and environmental consequences, waste reuse, recycle and recovery have become essentials in minimizing the environmental damage that could occur through indiscriminate waste disposal (Sivapalan, Mohamad, Mohamad, and Muhd-Noor, 2005).
REFERENCES
Adebola, O. O. (2006). The Role of Informal Private Sector in Integrated Solid Waste Management (ISWM) in Lagos, Nigeria – A Developing Country. Philadelphia P.A, Proceeding of the 21st International Conference on Solid Waste Technology and Management, 1(1): 1-8.
Adeyemi, A.S. Olorunfemi, J.F. and Adewoye, T.O. (2001). Waste Scavenging in Third World Cities: A case study in Ilorin, Nigeria. The Environmentalist, 21 (2): 93-96.
Adisa, (2000) In: Muktar, M. (2011). The Economics of Waste Scavenging in Kano State.
Department of Economics, Bayero University, Kano- Nigeria. Pp. 4-5.
Ado, M. (1998) In: Muktar, M. (2011). The Economics of Waste Scavenging in Kano State.
Department of Economics, Bayero University, Kano- Nigeria. Pp. 4-5.
Agarwal, A. Singhmar, A. Kulshrestha, M. and Mittal, A.K. (2005). Municipal Solid Waste Recycling and Associated Markets in Delhi, India: Resources, Conservation and Recycling, 44 (1): 73-90.
Agunwamba, J.C. (2003). Analysis of Scavengers’ Activities and Recycling in some Cities of Nigeria. Environmental Management, 32 (1): 116-127.
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