CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW
CONCEPT OF SOLID WASTE
Solid waste refers to all non-liquid waste materials arising from
human and animal activities that are normally discarded as useless
or unwanted. According to Tchobanoglous et al. (1993), solid waste
is any garbage, refuse, sludge from a wastewater treatment plant,
water supply treatment plant, or air pollution control facility, and
other discarded materials. The World Bank (1999) defines solid
waste as the unwanted or unusable solid materials generated from
combined residential, industrial, and commercial activities in a given
area. These wastes are typically classified into household
(domestic), industrial, biomedical, commercial, and agricultural
wastes.
2.1.1 SOURCES AND TYPES OF SOLID WASTE
The sources of solid waste are numerous and are largely
determined by the nature of human activity in a particular area. As
identified by Aderogba (2012), common sources include residential
households, markets, commercial centers, industries, healthcare
facilities, and institutions. Each source generates different types of
waste. For example, households generate mainly organic wastes,
plastics, papers, and packaging materials, while markets produce a
large volume of biodegradable waste such as vegetable remains
and food waste (Nzeadibe, 2009).
2.1.2 SOLID WASTE STORAGE METHODS
Proper storage of waste is a key component in effective waste
management. According to Ogwueleka (2009), solid waste storage
involves the temporary containment of refuse at the point of
generation before collection. Storage methods vary, ranging from
open dumping, communal bins, to containerized storage systems. In
Nigeria, the most common method of waste storage remains the
use of plastic containers, sacks, and in some cases, open piles,
especially in market environments where formal storage
infrastructure is lacking (Agunwamba, 1998). Oyediran and Adekoya
(2012) also observed that improper waste storage often results in
environmental and public health hazards, such as foul odor, pests,
and disease outbreaks.
2.1.3 WASTE COLLECTION AND TRANSPORTATION
Once stored, waste must be collected and transported to designated
disposal sites. Alam and Ahmade (2013) emphasized that collection
is the most expensive component of the solid waste management
process, taking up between 60–80% of the total cost. In many
Nigerian cities, waste collection is irregular and inefficient due to
lack of adequate equipment, manpower, and funding (Nwachukwu,
2010). This inefficiency is more pronounced in informal sectors like
local markets, where waste often accumulates for long periods.
2.1.4 SOLID WASTE DISPOSAL METHODS
Disposal is the final step in the waste management chain. The most
common disposal methods are open dumping, landfilling,
composting, incineration, and recycling. In developing countries like
Nigeria, open dumping remains prevalent due to the lack of
functional engineered landfills (Adewole, 2009). According to Imam
et al. (2008), open dumping poses severe health and environmental
risks, including groundwater contamination, air pollution, and
breeding grounds for disease vectors. Proper disposal techniques,
such as sanitary landfilling and composting, are rarely practiced due
to poor funding and lack of technical expertise.
2.1.5 WASTE MANAGEMENT IN NIGERIA
Waste management in Nigeria is characterized by institutional
weakness, inadequate funding, lack of public awareness, and poor
enforcement of environmental laws (Ezeah and Roberts, 2012). In a
study conducted by Uwadiegwu and Chukwu (2013), it was noted
that most waste management agencies in Nigeria operate with
obsolete equipment and lack proper planning. This leads to
indiscriminate dumping of waste in drains, streets, and open
spaces. The problem is especially acute in market environments,
where high volumes of waste are generated daily and management
is often left to local associations without government support.
2.1.6 IMPACTS OF POOR WASTE STORAGE AND DISPOSAL
Poor storage and disposal of solid waste have numerous
environmental, social, and health impacts. According to Alam and
Ahmade (2013), when waste is not properly managed, it can result
in clogged drains, which contribute to urban flooding. In market
areas, the accumulation of organic waste can lead to air pollution
and attract rodents and insects, causing the spread of diseases
such as cholera and malaria (Afon, 2007). It also reduces the
aesthetic value of the environment and affects business operations
in the market.
2.1.7 RELEVANCE OF EFFECTIVE WASTE MANAGEMENT IN
MARKETS
Effective solid waste management is essential in maintaining a
healthy market environment. Markets, especially in urban centers
like Enugu, serve as hubs of daily activity and commerce. As
Nzeadibe and Eziuzor (2006) observed, proper waste storage and
timely disposal help to reduce public health risks and promote
environmental sustainability. The authors also noted that involving
market unions and traders in the planning and implementation of
waste management strategies increases effectiveness and
compliance.
2.1.8 POLICY AND INSTITUTIONAL FRAMEWORK
The responsibility for waste management in Nigeria is shared
among the three tiers of government. The Federal Ministry of
Environment provides policy direction, while the State and Local
Governments are responsible for implementation. The National
Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency
(NESREA) was established in 2007 to enforce environmental laws
and standards. Despite this, Ezeah and Roberts (2012) note that the
lack of coordination among agencies, corruption, and poor
enforcement remain major obstacles to effective solid waste
management.
2.1.9 CHALLENGES IN MARKET-BASED WASTE
MANAGEMENT
In the context of market environments like New Market, Enugu,
several challenges hinder effective waste management. These
include lack of designated waste bins, poor road accessibility for
waste collection vehicles, and low awareness among traders on
proper waste practices (Afon, 2006). Additionally, informal waste
pickers, while helping to reduce waste volume through recycling,
often work in unsanitary conditions without regulatory oversight
(Nzeadibe, 2009). Funding and institutional commitment are also
lacking, with many local government authorities unable to sustain
waste management operations in busy commercial centers.
2.1.10 STRATEGIES FOR IMPROVEMENT
Schübeler et al. (1996) suggested that for waste management to be
effective, there must be community participation, adequate funding,
and adoption of appropriate technology. Public education, capacity
building for waste handlers, and the integration of the informal
sector are also essential. According to Adewole (2009), privatization
of waste collection services and partnerships with private firms can
improve efficiency and sustainability. Additionally, the provision of
adequate waste storage infrastructure, especially in markets, can
significantly reduce environmental health hazards.
