Unsafe management and disposal of waste can readily lead to adverse health consequences. Human can become exposed directly as a result of contact with the waste that is not being managed in a safe manner.

Waste management is the collective process of sorting, storage, collection, transportation, processing, resource recovery, recycling and disposal of waste.

There are in existence, many methods for waste disposal and management in Nigeria. Regulation in Nigeria is ubiq- uitous but has not helped to achieve excellence in waste management and disposal.

In many places and cities, precisely YABA area of Lagos state, waste disposal and management is still indiscriminate with wastes dumped on roadsides, in drainage channels and gully erosion sites, this is quite apart from the small efforts made by families to clean up their immediate surroundings, and the fact that practically all states have regulations that set apart at least one day of the month for “general clean-up”and have laws creating offences from non-compliance with these regulations.

For instance in Lagos State, there is both the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), formerly known as Lagos State Refuse Disposal Board (LSRDB) at inception which deals with waste management and recycling etc.

The efforts of a plethora of private enterprises and waste-pickers involved in waste management cannot be ignored as these have contributed immensely to improve waste management in Nigeria as Private enterprises and waste-pickers are also involved in waste recycling.

However, the common methods of waste disposal in Nigeria still remain: open dumping, open burning, incineration, unregulated land- fills, composting, and dumping into drain channels, streams and rivers. Mu- nicipal waste management has therefore become the greatest problem facing many urban and semi-urban areas in Nigeria.

While the oldest identifiable problem is that the rate of waste collection and evacuation often lags behind the rate of waste generation thus resulting in solid waste accumulation.

“In conclusion nigeria is generally not investing adequately in modern waste management technologies such as re- cycling facilities or plants.And our Government at all levels in Nigeria should therefore be mindful of maintaining clean and healthy environment as a key component of sustainable development. This is because, from the much that has been stated about improving the system for waste management, it is clear from this work that the Government has not done enough in the area of waste management. This is a major factor contributing to poor waste disposal practices. As a matter of urgency, there is the need to facilitate the rapid introduction of and education of Nigerian citizens on modern recycling and composting practices which have yet to take root in Nigeria”

Solid Waste Management Types with Methods and its Effects

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