UNLOCKING THE VALUE OF WASTE: A CASE STUDY OF MINNA METROPOLIS

Abstract

Effective management of waste is now a national priority. Recycling of waste, encompasses a method of classification,
sorting, leveling, lessening and reuse of waste products. In Minna, toxic and non-toxic wastes are not collected
separately by waste management agencies, but are deposited in the same dumpsite or in sanitary landfills, usually
close to communities and available to scavengers, creating challenges to human health. Recycling is still at an
elementary level in Minna due to lack of requisite data on accumulated waste, unavailability of facilities to transform
waste to useful products, lack of proper environmental awareness and inability of the government to promote waste
recycling by drafting policies and offering support to private waste management companies. Therefore, the goal of
this study is to identify various types of recyclable solid waste generated in Minna, their sources and destinations,
and potentials for wealth creation and a sustainable environment. Field survey, Questionnaires administered to
scavengers, and interviews with waste dealers and fabricators revealed various types, sources, destinations and
potentials of recyclable solid waste. Data acquired was analysed using Descriptive statistics. Scavengers acquire
various types of recyclable solid wastes from different sources. These wastes are collected and sold to waste
dealers within Minna, who sell to recycling companies outside the metropolis, due to lack of government policies
or interventions and necessary facilities for recycling. Solid waste recycling has the potential to provide financial
stability, income and job opportunities for the residents, while still reducing the volume of waste in circulation and
conserving the environment of Minna metropolis. Proper environmental awareness and Government intervention
to promote waste recycling by drafting policies and offering support to private waste management companies will
improve the level of recycling practices within Minna.