SOLID WASTE GENERATION AND MANAGEMENT IN TUDUN WADA, ZARIA, KADUNA STATE, NIGERIA.

ARIKO, J.D.* and AKPU, B.

Solid Waste management problem is one of the most common environmental challenges facing most cities particularly in the less developed countries. This study therefore, examines solid waste generation and management in Tudun Wada, Zaria, Nigeria. Questionnaire survey and direct field measurement were employed for data acquisition. Three hundred and eighty two (382) respondents were systematically sampled, and waste was collected from each of the sampled households for a period of one week. Questionnaire was also administered to the respondents in order to elicit data on the common methods of waste management in the area. The volume of the waste was measured with the aid of calibrated bucket. The results revealed that the average volume and weight of waste generated per household per day was 13.98dm. It was also discovered that food and fruit remnants constituted the highest proportion (23.55%) of the entire waste components. Biodegradable category of the waste accounted for 76.23% while the non-biodegradable was 23.77%. The results further showed that open space burning was the most common (37%) method of managing waste in the area followed by dumping at illegal open dumpsites (34%). The study recommends conversion of biodegradable component of the waste into compost manure for farming purpose; also recycling and reuse of the non-biodegradable component of the waste should be encouraged.

Key words: Solid waste, Solid waste generation, Solid waste management.