Important Aspects of Biowastes Collection and Composting in Nigeria

Abstract

Many of the areas that generate organic waste that could be biotreated are inaccessible for collection because of the lack of accessible roads, poverty of the residents and general neglect of such places by the government authorities. In Lagos in 1999 it was observed that trucks collecting wastes cannot get into 40% of the inner part of the municipalities because the roads are too narrow or blocked by illegal structures. So one-third of the population received no refuse collection service. There is very little knowledge about the treatment of biowaste and the activities are very low. The laws and regulations governing the management of waste, in general, are weak and inefficient. An important factor for the inefficiency of the laws is the lack of possibilities to obey them.

Some insight into organic waste accumulation and attempts of composting are given. The paper highlights the special aspects of biowaste treatment that should be considered in countries like Nigeria. It emphasizes that sociological factors may be of major consideration to achieve efficient and sustainable waste management in the country.