Waste and our environment

Africa is sitting on a gold mine and we are yet to realise our luck. This gold mine has for long been seen as not having an intrinsic value. The gold mine is our waste. Waste generation and particularly its disposal has been a huge environmental challenge which has plagued  developing countries like mine; Nigeria. This challenge is even more pronounced in the community I live, Kano State, Nigeria. Kano is the most populous black community in sub-Saharan Africa with a population of over 10 million persons as stated in the last Nigeria census in 2006 and demographic projections for 2016. A large population like this comes with challenges in waste management. Such waste include domestic waste, toxic waste, biodegradable waste and recyclable waste. Most of these waste  are produced in households and in few instances as seen in toxic waste, industries.
  Sadly management of this waste has become a matter of concern which has made a great impact in the society we live in. It’s a negative impact. This has become a public health menace and a serious threat to our society and the future we hope to build for our unborn children. Urbanization and Rural-Urban Migration has been fingered to contribute to this challenge. Poor planning, resource limitation and lack of innovation in dealing with emerging problems are  also contributors to this environmental degrading problem.
  Effective management of our waste system using locally drawn technology and intelligence seems to be the solution to our problems.  These solutions should be backed by effective policy and laws which would protect them and ensure they become a part of our lifestyle and country's mantra.
   Management systems include, reduction of greenhouse gases by proper disposal of biodegradable organic waste.This in turn would help in reducing the problem of climate change. Greenhouse gases like methane can be used to produce electricity. Power cuts and inadequate production of power is a perennial problem in Nigeria which has defied all forms of solution. This may perhaps be the solution we long for. Outbreak of diseases which have a public health significance would be greatly reduced if water and air  pollution caused by poor waste handling is reduced significantly.
   Attitudinal change is by far the most important aspect of environmental preservation. The common perception which have long been inherent in most people from my country is that, the environment should give way for human development and the environment should suffer for our development and preservation. Re-education on the benefits of environmental preservation should be reemphasized via mass media, formal education and faith based organizations.
   Reward systems for waste management should be encouraged, policies and acts which allow for these  reward systems to be concreted into national lifestyle should be enacted.
   Individually, we all can aim at waste reduction by making better and healthier choices when items are purchased in order to reduce waste generation. One can opt for fresh vegetables rather than their Canned substitutes. Cooked food bought from vendors can be served in plates that can be taken home, washed and reused instead of the popular Styrofoam take away packs.
   Some of those who engage in improper waste disposal are ignorant of the impact their actions have on the environment. Education of people on proper ways to dispose waste and the aftermath if not properly done would go a long way in preserving the environment.
  In cases where people understand and know what to do as regards proper waste disposal but seem to lack choices, assistance from the government and well meaning bodies comes in to play. Policies guiding proper waste collection, processing and disposal should be put in place and they should be enforced.
   Good waste collection and operation of sanitary land fills would reduce the waste which end up as litters thus discouraging open air dumping of refuse. Separation of types of waste and its treatment at site of generation would go a long way in reducing the quantity of waste generated and lessen the effect on the environment.
  Introduction of a re call process of non-biodegradable wastes would reduce waste burden, most times this class makes up the litters found at dump sites. Solid wastes like empty bottles, plastics and cans can be recalled with an incentive and in turn processed and sold to manufacturers as raw materials.
  Waste reuse is evident in the production of biomass energy. If developing countries can delve into to use of biomass energy instead  of fossil fuel a huge portion of the environment would be preserved.
  Reclaiming of  materials and parts from a product that has been worn out or rendered obsolete would preserve the environment by reduction of the waste burden.
    Waste would always be generated but the reduction of waste means less environmental impact. We can choose to ignore these problems while harming our environment as a result of our actions and inactions or decide to tackle the problem and preserve the environment.

By Mayuku-Dore Alero.