Polymer Wastes and Management in Cities and Towns of Africa and Sustainable Environment: Nigeria and European Experiences

Abstract

Polymer wastes litter everywhere. The objective of the paper is to assess the quantity and effects in the cities and towns with a view to make suggestions for globule in the risks of resultant environmental degradation for sustainable environment. The plants and facilities for manufacturing were visited. 9 Research Assistants were used for data and information collection. Market women and dealers were forth coming in the quantity sold per month/year; wastes generated; challenges and means of eluding the challenges. Directors, Environment in the States visited also gave information on the enormity of plastic wastes and their impact. They offered suggestion for sustainable environment. A dump each in 30 Nigerian cities and towns were studied for ten years, 2003 - 2012. Composition, quantity and spread of plastic wastes were examined. Literature on plastic wastes and management in European countries were read. Impacts were studied and compared with European cities. 80 photographic snaps were taken of polymer wastes and sceneries of visible consequences. Maps, graphs, charts, tables and percentiles were used for data analysis and presentation. Averagely, polymer wastes constitute 28.00% of the wastes found at dumps and around streets, residential, recreational and other public places. The concentrations are highest at recreation and residential areas. They are non-degradable; and every moment, there are additions. On the average, less than 12% are recycled annually. The recycling is not absolute. A time will come when there may be no substratum for plant growth. They are hide-outs and breeding grounds for disease vectors, animals and insects; and even, hoodlums; it destroys the aesthetic value of the physical environment: atmosphere, water bodies and soil. There are neither special technologies nor policies and programmes for special collection, transportation and disposal as obtained in most of the European cities and towns. Government may have to borrow leaves from Europe and invest massively on research and development and campaign for reducing, reusing and recycling the polymer wastes. Respecting the urban physical environment for sustainable development in Nigeria and generally in Africa is recommended.