Abstract
Despite large investments that have gone into meeting the challenges of effective waste management in urban Nigeria, there is little evidence that such efforts are having their expected impacts. Consequently, much attention has been drawn to the need to evolve more sustainable waste management strategies. Drawing on data from in-depth interviews among the Ngwa of southeastern Nigeria, some useful indigenous solid and liquid waste management techniques, in the search for solutions to the current waste management crisis in urban Nigeria, have become evident. These indigenous techniques and practices, which include ingenious and careful waste segregation and sorting, selective burning and burying, composting and conversion, etc., offer scope for meeting the challenges and addressing the limitations of current waste management in urban areas, especially if they are supported by appropriate inputs from modern technology.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Acholonu, C.: 1987, ‘Folklore Origins of the Igbos,’ Nigerian Magazine 55(4), 57–64.
Adedibu, A.A.: 1986, ‘Solid Waste Management and a New Environmental Edict; A Case of Study from Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria,’ The Environmentalist 18, 67–75.
Barret, S.: 2000, ‘Trade and Environment: Local Versus Multilateral Reforms,’ Environ. & Develop. 5, 349–359.
Beall, J.: 2002, ‘Globalization and Social Exclusion in Cities: Farming the Debate with Lessons from Africa and Asia,’ Environ. & Urban. 14(1), 41–52.
Dinham, B. and Sarangi, S.: 2002, ‘The Bhopal Gas Tragedy 1984 to? The Evasion of Corporate Responsibility,’ Environ. & Urban. 14(1), 89–100.
Ekugo, E.I.: 1998, ‘Public Health and Urban Sanitation,’ Environ. News 5–7.
Georgieva, K.I.: 2001, ‘Making Sustainable Commitments: An Environment Strategy for the World Bank,’ Environ. Matters (June–July) 6–9.
Hardoy, A. and Schusterman, R.: 2000, ‘New Models for the Privatization of Water and Sanitization for the Urban Poor,’ Environ. & Urban. 12(2), 63–76.
Heil, M., and Selden, T.: 2001, ‘Carbon Emission and Economic Development: Future Trajectories Based on Historical Experiences,’ Environ. & Develop. Economics 6(1), 63–84.
Hobson, J.: 2000, ‘Sustainable Sanitation: Experiences in Pune with a Municipal–NGO–Community Partnership,’ Environ. & Urban. 12(2), 53–62.
Ibanga, U.A.: 1997, Social Science Statistics, Jos University Press, Jos.
Izeze, I.: 1999, ‘Waste Management: A Solution,’ The Guardian, 18 August, p. 14.
Izugbara, C.O. and Okon, D.E.: 2000, ‘Indigenous Water Harvesting Techniques among the Ngwa of Southeastern Nigeria: Implications for Environmental Conservation and Rural Development,’ Environ. Analar 5, 450–458.
Izugbara, C.O. and Ukwayi, J.K.: 2002, ‘Nigeria’s Do-It-Yourself Community Development Strategy: Self-Help as Self-Exploitation,’ Departures 1(1–2), 35–47.
Izugbara, C.O.: 1999, ‘Rethinking the Role of Anthropology in Sustainable Bio-Diversity Conservation,’ Environ. Analar 4, 250–258.
Modo, I.V.O.: 1996, A Handbook of Anthropological Theories and Methods, Modern Business Press, Uyo.
National Population Commission: 1991, Census Figures for Nigeria, Government Printer, Lagos.
Nwankwo, C.K.: 1994, ‘Solid Waste Management, General Reviews and a Glance at the Nigerian Situation,’ Journal of Mining Geol. 27, 29–25.
Ojeda-Benitez, S., de Vega, C. and Ramirez-Barreto, M.: 2000, ‘The Potential for Recycling Household Wastes: A Case Study from Mexicali, Mexico,’ Environ. & Urban. 12(2), 163–174.
Ogbonna, D., Ekwezor, I. and Igwe, F.: 2002, ‘Waste Management: A Tool for Environmental Protection in Nigeria,’ Ambio 31(1), 55–57.
Ogu, V.I.: 2000, ‘Private Sector Participation and Municipal Waste Management in Benin City, Nigeria,’ Environ. & Urban. 12(2), 103–118.
Santosa, H.: 2000, ‘Environmental Management in Surabaya with Reference to National Agenda 21 and the Social Safety Net Programme,’ Environ. & Urban. 12(2), 175–184.
Sule, R.A.: 1982, ‘Environmental Pollution in an Urban Centre; Waste Disposal in Calabar,’ Third World Plan. Rev. 3, 4–7.
The Nigerian Environmental and Study/Action Team (NEST): 1991, Nigeria’s Threatened Environmental: A National Profile, NEST, Ibadan.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Izugbara, C.O., Umoh, J.O. Indigenous Waste Management Practices among the Ngwa of Southeastern Nigeria: Some Lessons and Policy Implications. Environmentalist 24, 87–92 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10669-004-4799-4
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10669-004-4799-4