The
concept of waste to wealth which is the transformation of waste from an
exhausted utility to a valuable commodity as a mechanism for effective solid
waste management is yet to be properly utilized in Mubi
north local government area of Adamawa state. The objectives included to
identify the challenges facing waste market operation in Mubi
North Local Government area. Questionnaires were distributed to 200 people.
The numbers of respondents were evenly distributed on gender basis within
the age group of 20-80 years. The result of the research revealed that 96%
of the respondents are concerned about the volume of waste presently
generated in the local government. 86% responded positively as they are
supportive of waste recycled products especially for plastic/polythene
products. 10% gave negative responds as they were of the opinion that
recycle products may not be durable and efficient. 10% of the respondents
are uncertain. 10% shows poor responds. 5% gave high negative responds. 95%
indicate lack of sensitization and enlightenment on need for proper sorting
before disposal. Participation in the waste market operation: 77% gave
positive response, 10% gave negative responds and 13% of the respondents
were uncertain. Those who responded saw the job as demanding, which can be
attributed to the present perception of the job. Those who responded
positively have been involved in the waste market operation indirectly as
they have in so many occasions sold household recoverable waste in exchange
for other useful items or money. This people would be encouraged more if
government provides certain incentives necessary to make the market
lucrative.
Waste is a substance which is
discarded after primary use, or it is worthless, defective, and of no use. The
term is often subjective, because what is waste to one need not necessarily be
a waste to another. Sometimes, the matter is objectively inaccurate, for
instance, to send scrap metals to a landfill is to inaccurately classify them
as waste because they are recyclable (Konstantinos et al, 2022). There are variety of waste,
liquid or solid, emanating from human activities (domestic), agricultural or
industrial activities (neither domestic nor hazardous), and hazardous or
special. Faeces, indeed is also included in solid
waste. Among the liquid waste, sullage, sewage,
livestock and industrial wastes are known among communities (Sridhar and Hammed, 2014). Solid waste
management has emerged as one of the greatest challenges facing state and local
government environmental protection agencies in Nigeria. The volume of solid
waste being generated continues to increase at a faster rate than the ability
of the agencies to improve on the financial and technical resources needed to
parallel this growth. Solid waste management in Nigeria is characterized by
inefficient collection methods, insufficient coverage of the collection system
and improper disposal of solid waste (ThisdayNews paper;
2010; Egun, 2012). The quantity of solid waste generated in urban areas in
industrialized countries is higher than in developing countries; still
municipal solid waste management remains inadequate in the latter. Solid waste
in developing countries differs from developed countries. Most developing
countries, including Nigeria have solid waste management problems different
from those found in industrialized countries in areas of composition, density,
political, and economic framework, waste amount, access to waste for collection,
awareness and attitude. The wastes are heavier, wetter and more corrosive in
developing cities than developed cities (Ogwueleka, 2009).
The
concept of Waste-to-Wealth literally means moving waste from a platform of
exhausted utility to valuable and desirable level. Its transformation: in
engineering, requires some form of energy, and in economics requires factor of
production. The latent issue here is that “waste” in itself can never be wealth
otherwise generator will never discard it. Likewise, wealth is created and
process of creating wealth has some cost implications that the market forces
construe as the price. This means that not all wastes are potentially of
secondary benefit. In all, the slogan “waste-to-wealth connotes that waste
management operations must transcend delivery of service to provision of goods
or value like energy. The aim of this work is to examine the operation of waste
markets in the Mubi, identify the challenges facing
its operation, and create awareness on the need to explore opportunities
inherent in waste market for environmental and economic benefits.
2.0:LITERATURE REVIEW
A survey was conducted on waste
market operation and found to be different from the one I obtained.
(Adinife and Salami, 2016) from the result
obtained in their study, it could be inferred that the level of knowledge of
the effects of solid waste ecotoxicity, abiotic
resource depletion, and health in Abeokuta households is high but for
eutrophication. Practices such as non-sorting, separation and characterization
of waste composition, indiscriminate dumping of refuse and the dumping on the
immediateenvironment, canals,
undeveloped lands, drainages, which connotes low safe and appropriate practices
hamper exploitation and proper record of waste generated the high level of
knowledge of the impact of poor waste management practices notwithstanding. It
therefore demands that adequate and appropriate machinery should be put in
place for proper and effective waste management in the metropolis.
(Butu and Mshelia, 2014)
in their studyshowed that increase in
population, uncontrolled and unplanned nature of most parts of Kano especially
the old Kano city, Kano municipal council, Gwale, Daurayi and other areas compounded the problems of waste
management. The municipal solid waste generation in Kano metropolis is very
high, non-biodegradable waste such as polythene bags, the so-called pure water
sachet and e-waste are scattered all over indiscriminately. These materials are
known to contain high level of metals which are toxic when exposed to above
certain limits. The biodegradable fractions of municipal solid waste disposed
at major open spaces and highways in Kano are mostly food remnants, yard
wastes, kitchen consumables and discarded papers for packaging. These
biodegradable wastes have no direct chemical implication, but constitute
environmental nuisance and good hideouts for diseases carrying vectors such as
rodents, reptiles and insects.
(Ebikapade and Jim, 2016)in their survey, found out that Waste
management across Nigeria have deteriorated significantly over time, without a
doubt the management approaches employed in tackling waste management
challenges have recorded very little success. Hence, only a handful of cities
such as Lagos seem to be making significant progress in addressing the wastes
management challenges inherent in their localities. The reason for this failure
is that the approaches do not distinguish the different needs and diversities
of cities across the country. In addition, the lack of coordination and
expertise on waste management issues by the environmental agencies and other
organs of Government promote inefficiency. It is clear from the paper that the
bulk of the problems relating to waste management in the country is as a result
of the unavailability of proper waste management policy.
(David et al., 2015) based on their
findings of this study, it is imperative to stress that resources for running
the waste management are harnessed and attention should be paid to storage,
separation/sorting, collection and transfer to respective processing unit
before final disposal. Waste generation is inevitable due to human activities.
As long as the populations demand for goods increase, so also would the waste. It is
very important to understand the waste, their nature, problems associated with
them, and how to dispose them off hygienically. In Nigeria today, there are no
sewers or underground drainage system and as a result all liquid wastes find
their way into water courses. There are no urinals or toilet facilities in many
public areas. Schools are devoid of functional toilets. Solid wastes are found
everywhere and anywhere. In Nigeria, waste is generated at the rate of 0.43
kg/head per day and 60 to 80 per cent of it is organic in nature (Sridhar 2006; Ogwueleka
2009).
A cow brought for slaughtering produces about 328.4 kg of wastes
in the form of dung, bone, blood, horn and hoof. Sheep and rams produce about
0.9 kg waste per head per day (based on observation). The markets generate a
variety of wastes, for example, corn cobs, vegetable wastes, packaging
materials, etc. The household wastes also contain other materials such as
paper, glass, metal, plastic, and other non-biodegradable materials and some of
them are excellent raw materials for various industries in the country. People
litter the roads with no civic concern. All these wastes contain a lot of
valuable resources in the form of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and other
chemicals which are useful (Hammed et al.
2011). Microorganisms play an important role in biogeochemical cycles and
convert these valuable resources into harmless and useful products. However,
there are certain wastes arising from industries or healthcare facilities which
may be hazardous, infectious and need to be treated as special wastes.
2.1:Description of the Study Area
Mubi North is among the
21 Local Government Areas of Adamawa State. Mubi Area
of Adamawa state is located on latitude 11o51Nand
longitude 13o51E. It has altitude of 696m above sea level
with an annual mean rainfall of 1,220mm and a mean temperature of 15.2oc
during Hamattan periods from November to February and
39.7oc in April (ADADP, 1986). The town is essentially a mountainous
landscape transverse by river Yedzaram and many
tributaries, Mandara and Adamawa Mountains formed
part of this undulating landscape (Mansir, 2006).
Fig.
2.1 Map of Mubi North Local Government Area
2.2:Waste Generated
from Mubi North
Income and economic growth have
impact on the composition of wastes. Rotich et al. (2006)
established a positive relationship between income levels and waste generation
at the household level as High-income earners consume more packaged products,
which result in a higher percentage of inorganic materials, metals, plastics,
glass, and textile. Waste characteristics vary according to season, income
level, population, social behaviour, climate, and
industrial production, the size of markets for waste materials and the extent
of urbanization, effectiveness of recycling, and work reduction (Hoornweg et al., 1999).
Municipal
solid waste composition in Mubi North Local
Government Area, Adamawa State varies from one settlement to another and is
dependent on the level of human and industrial activates taking place in these
settlements, i.e. there are variations between urban/suburban and rural
residential wastes. A closer observation shows that there exists a relative
homogeneity of residential/ household waste generated across the local
government area. A new dimension to municipal solid waste which is a general
feature of developing/underdeveloped economies is the electronic waste
(e-waste) ranging from bad/faulty television display screen (tube),
faulty/damaged computer and electronic hard wares such as refrigerators and air
conditioners (Egun, 2012).
In all of these, a common/general component of
solid waste generated in Mubi North Adamawa State is
plastics/polythene products. This can be attributed to their diversity in usage
ranging from household to industrial and the absence of a recovery system for
them when compared to metal scraps and bottles. The high level of reuse of
recyclable waste reflects the extent of poverty in the developing countries. In
developing countries, waste stream is over 50% organic material (Hoornweg et al., 1999).
Table
2.1: Percentage Composition/ Kg of Municipal Solid Waste in Mubi
North Local Government Area of Adamawa Sate
S/No
Composition
Dump site 1
Kg
Dump site 2
Kg
Dump site 3
Kg
Average Kg
of Solid waste
%Kg
of Solid waste
1
Plastic/Polythene
Products
0.38
0.36
0.37
0.37
37
2
Paper
Product
0.17
0.18
0.19
0.18
18
3
Metals/aluminium Products
0.10
0.11
0.09
0.10
10
4
Vegetative
materials
Organic
compost
0.22
0.23
0.10
0.21
21
5
Ceramics
0.07
0.05
0.06
0.06
6
6
Textile
Materials
0.04
0.06
0.05
0.05
5
7
Others
eg. Batteries Forms etc
0.02
0.03
0.03
0.03
3
2.2.1:Wood and wood
products
Waste generated from wood products
which range from wood shavings in the sawmill, wood used at building/
construction sites to condemned finished wood products such as household/
office furniture, have little or no economic cash return value as they are
mainly used as firewood for cooking, especially among the low income earners as
it is presently the cheapest source of cooking energy. The increase in poultry
farming at subsistence level and as a Small/ Medium Scale Enterprise (SME) in
the State concurrently lead to the increase and popularization of the litter
system of poultry farming, were wood shavings from sawmills have found
application as floor overlay for the collection of bird droppings and easy
sanitation, thereby creating a waste market for it (Egun, 2012)
2.2.2:Waste
Materials
Waste in this category includes all
waste generated from plants and animal materials either in their processed form
such as food wastes from households and restaurants, or unprocessed form such
as those generated from poor handling of food materials from the farm to the
market. These wastes are sold to interested persons who use them as adjuncts
for animal feed in farms. It is estimated that nearly a quarter of all
household waste is organic and can be composted. Vegetative waste generated at
household level constitute a very large percentage of organic waste found at
dumpsites as they arrive the dumpsites already decomposing and mixed with other
forms of waste, thereby making their recovery unsuccessful. Compositing is
undertaken in the open and the end product is used on farms as compost manure (Egun, 2012).
2.2.3:Metal Waste
This kind of waste popularly
referred to as metal scraps are gotten from condemned gadgets, equipment and
properties with metal components. Presently, this is the most lucrative waste material
in the local government area and the state as they are collected as scraps and
sold back to the steel industries as adjunct raw materials for new product
formulation (Egun, 2012).
2.2.4:Glass
Materials
Waste from glass materials are of
two types. Those generated from electrical appliances (e-waste) such as electric
bulbs and computer display screens have no economic value presently in the
State; thereby ending up in the various dumpsite. While those generated from
packaging such as wine bottles, drugs and drinks have economic return value as
they are collected and sold back to their producers who reuse them for the same
purpose or sold in the retail market to small scale enterprises who use them
for packaging their produce such as cowpea nuts (Egun, 2012).
2.2.5:Plastics/ Polythene Materials
Waste from this material is
presently a challenge to effective solid waste management in the Local
Government as the rate of their reuse when compared to the rate of generation
is very poor. At present there is no economic value attached to plastic waste
in the Local Government Area; this could be attributed to the challenge of
sorting and grading of polythene products leading to their voluminous presence
at dumpsites (Egun, 2012).
2.2.6:Waste
Market Operation
A waste picker is a person who
salvages reusable or recyclable materials thrown away by others to sell or for
personal consumption (Srinivas, 2011; Egun, 2012).
Many terms are used to refer to people who salvage recyclables from the waste
stream for sale or personal consumption. These terms include reclaimer, informal resource recovered, recycler, salvager,
scavenger, and waste picker. In 2008, participants of the First World
Conference of Waste Pickers chose to use the term “waste picker” for English
usage to facilitate global communication. Although the term “scavenger” is also
commonly used, but many waste pickers find it demeaning due to the implied
comparison with animals (Samson, 2008).
“Waste picking” is an activity motivated purely by economic need.
Forms
of waste picking have been practiced since antiquity, but modern traditions of
waste picking started during industrialization in the nineteenth century and
over the past half century have expanded vastly in the developing world due to
urbanization (Wilson, et al., 2005;
Martin, 2007). This has led to millions of waste pickers worldwide,
predominantly in developing countries, but increasingly in post-industrial
countries as well (Gowan, 1997). Waste pickers are key actors in
the informal economy, as they make vital social, ecological, and economic contributions
to their cities and help mitigate global warming. In many cities, they provide
the only solid waste collection service. Yet they face many hardships,
including stigma, exploitation by middlemen, and hazardous working and living
conditions (Scheinberg and Anschütz,
2007). In Nigeria, recycling activities are not popular. However, the
recovery of materials from wastes (scavenging) is practiced on a large scale.
This type of recovery takes place at both legal and illegal dump sites where
scavengers search continually for valuable metals, plastics, and bottles to be
reused or for sale to buyers of different type of scraps. Waste market in Mubi North Local Government Area of Adamawa State is
presently an informal private sector market with unregulated activities, which
is operated mainly by small enterprises and waste pickers who are driven by
poverty and desire to earn a living. The practice of scavenging is a widespread
occurrence at existing waste dump sites in the State as opposed in most developed
countries, and is to be expected at new disposal sites unless policies and/or
programs are implemented to prevent the practice. The waste pickers operate by
scavenging waste directly from the various dumpsites, the streets of neighborhood
in search of abandoned metal scraps and other useful recoverable waste. In the
course of their activities, they are open to negotiations for the purchase of
valuable waste from households and establishments (Egun, 2012).
These
collected wastes are then taken to the scrap market locations which are owned
and operated by individuals who play the role of middlemen in the waste market
business, especially for glass and metal waste. At the scrap shops the waste
are further sorted, weighed and bought from the waste pickers. These middle men
known as “Waste Traders” then take upon themselves the responsibility of
transporting and supplying these wastes to the various industries which utilize
them as raw materials. The financial gain made by the waste picker is dependent
on the purchasing price of the waste trader and also on the bargaining power
with waste generators in situations when the waste has to be purchased. The
increase in financial gain for the waste when the waste is gotten for free has
resulted to their conspicuous presence at dumpsites, and some of them
exhibiting criminal behaviours of stealing valuable
materials from private and public premises. In some cities, waste pickers have
been known to steal, meltdown, and resell public property such as telephone
electrical copper wires, steel fence, or manhole coverings (Martin, 2007).
3.0:METHODOLOGY
Data were collected through the use
of a questionnaire by using stratified random sampling to administer to two
(200) hundred people with the age range
of 20-30, 31-50, 51-60, and above 60 as can be seen in figure 3.1. Among the
people that were contacted based on educational profile are 16 with no
education, 50 with primary education, 72 with secondary education and 62 with
tertiary education and above as can be seen in figure 3.2. Considering
occupation, the people that were contacted are 12 farmers, 60 traders, 30
salary earners, 38 food vendors and 60 skilled workers as can be seen in figure
3.3. Issues affecting waste market operations were asked. A total of 200 people
were interviewed, with the number of respondents evenly distributed on gender
basis.
Table 3.1: Demography Profile of Respondents
Characteristics
Number of Respondents
Percentage Respondents
Sex
Male
Female
100
100
50
50
Age
20 to
30
31 to
50
51 to
60
Above
60
20
90
50
40
10
45
25
20
Educational Level
No
Education
Primary
Education
Secondary
Education
Tertiary
and above
16
50
72
62
8
25
36
31
Main Occupation
Farming
Trading
Food
Vendor
Salary
Earner
Skilled
Workers
12
60
38
30
60
06
30
19
15
30
Fig
3.1: Demography profile of Respondent Ages
Fig. 3.2: Demography profile of Respondent Education Level
Fig. 3.3: Demography profile of Respondent Main Occupation
4.0:RESULTS AND
DISCUSSION
Figure 4.1 shows that, majority of
the respondents of about (96 %) are concerned about the volume of waste
presently generated in the local government area; an indication of an increase
in environmental awareness among the citizenry but lack environmental
consciousness as reflected in their attitude to waste generation and disposal. However,
4% are not concern about the volume of waste generated and the effect on human
life and non of the
respondents are unconcern about the waste generated. Pertaining to the purchase
of and use of recycled waste, majority of the respondents about (80%) responded
positively as they were supportive of waste recycled products especially for
plastic/polythene products which is a major concern in the local government
area; 10% of the respondents gave a negative response as they were of the
notion that recycled products will not be durable and efficient as their
un-recycled counterparts; and 10% of responses were uncertain, which could be
attributed to their lack of knowledge about the concept of recycling. The use
of compost fertilizer had 90% positive response and uncertain response of 10%.
The high positive response is attributed to their background knowledge of
cultural agricultural practices. Awareness on the concept of waste separation
before disposal showed a poor positive response (5%) and a high negative response
(95%), an indication of lack of sensitization and enlightenment on the need for
proper waste segregation before disposal, as present enlightenment done on
waste management has been centered on proper disposal of waste using waste
bins/tanks with the aim of preventing water erosion and flooding as a result of
waste blockage of water drainages; and having a cleaner environment. Those who
responded positively to waste separation/sorting before disposal where mostly
those who have had the opportunity of living in cities where it is been
practiced; and are not presently doing so because of the absence of adequate
facilities. Also, on the issue of participation in the waste market operation;
77% of the respondents gave a positive response, 10% responded negatively and
13% of the respondents were uncertain. 05% show awareness on the concept of
waste separation before disposal and 95% show no awareness on the concept of
waste separation before disposal. Those who responded negatively saw the job as
a dirty job, which can be attributed to the present perception of the job.
Those who responded positively have been involved in the waste market operation
indirectly as they have on several occasions sold household recoverable waste
such as bottles, metal scraps, newspapers and abandoned electronics to waste
pickers/scavengers for a token amount of money or in exchange for other useful
household items.
Table 4.1: Respondents replies to issues affecting waste
market operation
Questions
and Responds
Percentage Respondents
Are you Concerned about the Volume of waste
generated
Yes
No
Uncertain
96
04
00
Do you Purchase products made from recycled
waste
Yes
No
Uncertain
80
10
10
Do you normally use Compost Manue
Yes
No
Uncertain
90
00
10
Do you Participate in Waste Market
Operation
Yes
No
Uncertain
77
10
13
Do you have the Knowledge of waste
separation before disposal
Yes
No
Uncertain
05
95
00
Fig. 4.1 Respondents
replies to issues affecting waste market operation
5.0 CONCLUSION
Many people in Mubi
Local Government are of Adamawa State are concerned about the Volume of waste
generated especially on the dumpsites. It was observed that a large number
people dwelling in Mubi buy these waste and resell
them to the whole sellers or industries to get money. It has become a livelihood
to many people in the community. It was also gathered that because of high cost
of fertilizer some people resulted to using vegetable wastes generated from
homes as compost manue on their farms. Many people are
self employed because of the money involved in waste
market operation to earn a living. However many people also lack the knowledge
of waste separation before disposal. Today it can be seen that, when waste
management service is delivered and money paid for by the generator, it means that
waste has provided wealth and can be construed as waste-to-wealth. Consequently
with this extension, effective waste management practice has become not only
service but an instrument for eradicating poverty. Government and the people should
realize that proper waste management system provides clean environment and
employment for the people.
REFERENCES
ADADP, (1986):Adamawa Agricultural Development Programme Method of Vegetable GardeningAge 3-4.
Butu, A. W. and Mshelia, S. S. (2014). Municipal Solid Waste Disposal and
Environmental Issues in Kano Metropolis, Nigeria. British Journal of
Environmental Sciences, 2(1), 1-16.
Constantinos K, Dimitrios E.A, Efsthathios K, Kyariaki K, Junior L. L, Nicklos
J T, Constantinos S, Psomopoulos
(2022). Transfering Waste to Wealth Achieving
Circular Economy. Circular Economy and Sustainability.
David O. Olukanni and Myem U. Mnenga (2015): Municipal Solid Waste Generation and
Characterization; A Case Study of Ota , Nigeria. International
Journal of Environmental Science and Toxicology Research (ISSN:2408-7262)vol.3(1) pp.1-8
Ebikapade A and Jim B (2016). Concept of Waste and Waste Management.
Journal of Management and Sustainability. 6 (40 Pp
88-96
Egun N. K (2012). The Waste to Wealth Concept:
Waste Market Operation in Delta State Nigeria. Greener Journal of Social
Sciences. Vol.2 (6), pp.
Gowan, T. (1997): "American Untouchables: Homeless
Scavengers in San Francisco's Underground Economy". International Journal
of Sociology and Social Policy 17 (3/4): 159.
Hammed T. B, Soyingbe A. A, and Adewole D.O (2011):Anabattoir Waste Water Management through Composting: A
Case Study of Alesinloye Waste Recycling Complex. International
Journal of Interdisciplinary Social Sciences, 6(2): 67-78.
Mansir, M. (2006):
.Livestock Marketing and Transportation in Nigeria. Expro@erols.com
Martin,
M. (2007): The World's Scavengers: Salvaging for Sustainable Consumption and
Production. New York: Altamira Press.
Hoornweg, D., Thomas, L., and Otten, L
(1999): Composting and its Applicability in Developing Countries. Urban Waste
Management Working Paper Series 8 Washington, DC; World Bank.In
Ogwueleka, T. C. (2009): Municipal Solid Waste Characteristics and
Management in Nigeria. Iran. J. Environ. Health. Sci. Eng., Vol. 6, No. 3, pg.
173-180 173.
Rotich, H.; Zhao, Y., and Dung, J. (2006): Municipal Solid Waste
Management Challenges in Developing Countries – Kenya Case Study. Waste
Management, 26: 92-100.
Scheinberg, A. and Anschütz, J. (2007): Slim
pickin"s: Supporting Waste Pickers in the
Ecological Modernisation of Urban Waste Management
Systems. International Journal of Technology, Management and Sustainable
Development Vol. 5. pp. 257-27.
Sridhar M.K.C (2006): From Urban Wastes to Sustainable Waste
Management in Nigeria: A case Study. In: MFA Ivbijaro,
F Akintola, RU Okechukwu
((Eds.): SustainableEnvironmental
Management in Nigeria.Ibadan,
Nigeria: Mattivi Productions, pp. 337-353.
Sridhar M.K.C and Hammed T. B (2014). Turning Waste to Wealth in
Nigeria. An overview. Journal of Human Ecology. 46 920 :
195-203
Srinivas, H. (2011). "Solid Waste Management: Glossary".
The Global Development Research Center
Wilson, D.C.; Velis, C. and Cheeseman, C.
(2005): Role of Informal Sector in Recycling in Waste Management in Developing
Countries London: Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Centre for
Environmental Control and Waste Management.
Cite this Article:Hyelnasinyi, CN; Nathan, C; Adamu,
GG (2024). The Concept of Waste to Wealth Market Operation in Mubi North Local Government Area of Adamawa State. Greener
Journal of Environmental Management and Public Safety,
12(1): 50-59, https://doi.org/10.15580/gjemps.2024.1.112024172.
