Effects of Seasonal Variation on Informal Waste Collection in Ibadan, South-west Nigeria

Abstract

Despite the active participation of informal waste collectors (IWCs) in waste management in Ibadan, south-west Nigeria, a major observed challenge to effective operation of this group of workers is the variation in the seasons of the year and their accompanying weather futures. This study investigated the effects of seasonal changes on the types and volume of waste handled by the informal waste collectors, level of patronage and income earned in the five municipal local government areas of Ibadan. A cross-sectional survey approach was adopted and both primary and secondary data were sourced. Through questionnaire survey and field observations, data were collected from 253 informal waste collectors operating in the study area. Descriptive statistics (frequencies and percentages) and inferential statistics (ANOVA) were used in analysing the data obtained from the field work. The study established that the types and volume of waste collected and income earned by the informal waste collectors varied from season to season. Patronage of the informal waste collectors was found to be reduced by about 25% in the dry season owing to less volume of waste generated and increased burning. The low patronage reduced the income by about 25% on average. The implications of this are that the job security of IWCs is threatened and increased burning of waste increases the atmospheric carbon content, which depletes the ozone layer and consequently results in global warming. The study, therefore, recommended financial and technical assistance to the waste collectors by either government or non-governmental organisations to establish small waste merchandising business to cater for the period of low patronage.

Spatial assessment of pollutants concentration in air and soils impacted by industrial wastes in lagos state, Nigeria

“…The assessment of industrial waste generated in Lagos shows that across all sample locations, more industrial waste is generated during the dry (harmattan) season when compared to the amount of industrial waste generated during the wet (rainy) season. This finding is in contrast with the findings of Wahab and Ola (2018), who found that there was more waste generated in the wet season in Ibadan, South West Nigeria. This contrast in the findings of this study and that of Wahab and Ola (2018) may be explained by Lagos being a flood prone area, as such more production and hence more waste is generated in the dry season when the rains and floods have subsided.…”

“…This finding is in contrast with the findings of Wahab and Ola (2018), who found that there was more waste generated in the wet season in Ibadan, South West Nigeria. This contrast in the findings of this study and that of Wahab and Ola (2018) may be explained by Lagos being a flood prone area, as such more production and hence more waste is generated in the dry season when the rains and floods have subsided. In terms of the total amount of industrial wastes generated, Ikorodu accounts for most of the industrial waste generated followed by Ikeja, Oshodi, Alaba/Ojo and Surulere.…”

Estimation of the Recyclable Waste amount Collected by Informal Recycling Shops: Case Study in Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar

“…Additionally, seasonal variations have also influenced the informal waste collectors, especially in their collected waste amount and income earned (Wahab and Ola, 2018). Therefore, it is also assumed that seasonal variation could affect the informal recycling shops, too.…”