Analysis of sustainable polyester tiles of domestic waste

Sustainable unsaturated polyester resin composite tiles were prepared using snail shell powder by open mould technique. The snail shell powder filler was obtained from snail shell, a domestic waste. The filler characterized for pH (7.61), bulk density (1.33), specific gravity (1.80 g/cm3 ), refractive index (1.45), oil absorption (5.0 g/100 g), and moisture content (14.01%) was incorporated into the polymer matrix at 0 to 30 wt. % filler content. The tensile, and compressive strength of the tile samples decreased with filler content whereas the impact, hardness, and specific gravity increased with filler content, and were generally greater than those of cured unsaturated polyester resin at any filler content considered. The tile samples containing 15, and 25 wt. % snail shell powder were vitreous while the samples containing 10, 20, and 30 wt.% snail shell powder were semi – vitreous. The low water absorption property of the tile samples makes them suitable for household utilizations in areas such as kitchen walls, floors, backlashes, and shower walls, and should justify the use of low - cost snail shell powder in the composite industry. This will lead to a cost - effective handling and management of snail shell waste thereby, providing a clean environment

The geography of yam cultivation in southern Nigeria:Exploring its social meanings and cultural functions

Background: Yam (Dioscorea spp.) is a very important common food crop in West Africa. Beyond its food and nutritious values, the ownership and cultivation of yam have many cultural, religious, and social meanings, which may vary between specific ethnic groups and regional areas. This study explored the diverse social, cultural, and religious perspectives associated with yam and its cultivation in southeastern Nigeria. Methods: We used a comparative approach and utilized in-depth, semistructured interviews, local narratives, and our experiential background to understand the similarities and differences in the local notions of yam and their impacts on the general societal structure across three ethnic regions in southeastern Nigeria. We discussed the findings on a thematic basis to reflect the social and cultural issues associated with the ownership and cultivation of yam. The themes ranged from religious practices, impact on social status, and gender relations. Results: We found no significant differences in the incidence of local perceptions and practices between the study areas. Conclusion: This study has demonstrated the importance and functions of yam crop in structuring the social, economic, religious and cultural fabric of the society