International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS) | Volume IV, Issue VI, June 2020 | ISSN 2454–6186

Consequences of Indiscriminate Disposal of Solid Waste on Environment and Humans’ Health in Nigeria

John, Wajim
Department of Sociology, Federal University, Wukari, 200 Katsina-Ala Road, P.M.B 1020 Wukari, Nigeria

Abstract: This scholarly study ascertained the consequences of indiscriminate disposal of solid waste on environment and humans’ health in Nigeria. The indiscriminate disposal of solid waste along residential buildings, commercial centres (such as markets, shops, shopping malls, super market, kiosks), roads, on drainages, streets is very disgusting; and these indiscriminate disposal of wastes in Nigeria causes great environmental hazards and serious outbreaks of diseases such as cholera, typhoid and malaria including the annual rituals of flooding in Nigeria due to blockage of canals as a result of anthropogenic activities and carelessness that affects the free flow of water ; and all the aforesaid are associated to the indiscriminate disposal of solid wastes by humans. Secondary sources of data collection were used for this scholarly article. Amongst other recommendations, it is recommended that government should reinforce waste collection and disposal systems in every state within Nigeria as well as to strengthen and enforce the appropriate laws against indiscriminate disposal of solid wastes; Public campaign on the dire consequences of indiscriminate solid waste disposal on humans’ health and environment should be organized by the government and non-governmental organizations; and monthly sanitation should be strictly adhere to in order to curtail the littering of our environment.

Keywords: Waste, solid waste, indiscriminate disposal, environment, humans’ health

I INTRODUCTION

In developing nations especially Nigeria, a great proportion of solid waste generated are dumped either in controlled landfills or open dumps which constitute sources of health risks to surrounding residents. The use of sanitary landfills is not feasible for many waste management authorities of most countries due to cost constraints. Abul, (2010) concurred that open dumpsites rather than secured landfills are more in number for waste disposal and this constitutes great health hazards to the residents. Such open dumps are found on the outskirts of urban areas which form breeding sites for disease-carrying vectors in the communities. The preponderance of open dumps in many developing nations has spurred the need to ascertain the consequences of indiscriminate solid waste disposal on environment and humans’ health in Nigeria.