Circular Economy: Nigeria Perspective

Nigeria is a lower middle-income country and is ranked as the largest economy in Africa with a gross domestic product of 444.92 billion (www.imf.org). The country is located on the western coast of Africa, has an area of 923, 763 km2 and is bounded by Benin Republic in the west, Niger Republic in the north, Cameroun in the east and Gulf of Guinea in the south

Assessment of Noise Pollution From Sawmill Activities in Ilorin, Nigeria

This study examined noise pollution from sawmilling in Ilorin metropolis, Nigeria. Noise measurements were made using HD600 digital data logging sound level meter in conjunction with structured questionnaire which was designed to elicit noise related information. The results of the study showed that the background noise within the sawmills was 58.1-64.86 dB(A) while machine equivalent noise was 81.1-112.3 dB(A). Approximately 73% of all the noise measurements are above the recommended limit of 85 dB(A) and these high noise intensities can initiate or perpetuate some work related health challenges. Also a noise contour map which shows the spatial impact of sawmill noise on the metropolis was developed. Within the sawmills, most of the workers are unprotected, disturbed and complain of noise-related ailments such as tinnitus (96.6%), headache (86.6%) and hearing impairment (71.9%). Therefore noise prevention and control strategies are suggested in addition to frequent audiometric tests, training, education, and enforcement of noise regulations.http://dx.doi.org/10.4314/njt.v34i1.

Aerobic Bacterial degraders in effluent from Itoku textile industry, Abeokuta

The local textile industry in Itokun village is one major textile industry in Abeokuta Ogun state, known for “adire” production whose processes are not maintained at regulatory standards. This study involves isolating and identifying aerobic microorganisms in waste water effluents from this textile Industry and screening for aerobic degraders among the isolates. Fifty milliliter (50 ml) of three dye effluents; purple, brown and green were collected into sterile bottles and designated (Ef1), (Ef2) and (Ef3). Tap water was used as control (Cont). Isolation, identification and screening of isolates for percentage decolorization were done using standard method. Colony forming units showed the trend Ef3 > Ef2> Ef1. Bacterial isolates included Bacillus megaterium, Staphylococcus simulans, Micrococcus varians, Bacillus niacinni, Lysinibacillus sp. and Bacillus carbonificus. Aneurinbacillus aneurinilytus alone was isolated from the control sample. Bacillus megaterium and Lysinibacillus sp. were the most predominant species in the effluents. S. simulans degradation was the most efficient and its use could be exploited.Keywords: Aerobic bacteria, textile effluent, dye, Itokun. Afr. J. Biotechnol. Vol. 12 No. 5

Resource Prospects of Municipal Solid Wastes Generatedin the Ga East Municipal Assembly of Ghana

Background. Municipal solid wastes management has recently become an important public health concern. Municipal solid wastes are a major source of raw materials that could be used for resource recovery for diverse applications. Objectives. The present study aimed to determine the composition of municipal solid waste and recoverable resources from the waste of the Ga East Municipal Assembly (GEMA) in the Greater Accra region of Ghana. Methods. An exploratory approach was used to collect pertinent data from the Abloradgei dumpsite in GEMA using semi-structured interviews and focus group discussion. A field characterization study was undertaken to segregate and estimate the value of various components of collected waste. Dumpsite workers were asked about current general composition of MSW, mode of collection and disposal, record of sanitation-related diseases, use of modern treatment plant, waste management legislation and enforcement challenges, number of trucks received by the dumpsite per day, record on pretreatment of MSW before disposal, and use of personnel protective equipment. Results. The results showed that significant proportions (48.8%) of the municipal solid wastes were organic materials, while the remaining (51.2%) were inorganic materials. The results also showed that 63% of the municipal solid waste is collected with no sorting from the source and no modern treatment applied before dumping. It was estimated that the value of the recyclable materials in GEMA municipal solid waste amounts to Ghana Cedis (GH¢) 9,381,960 (plastic); 985,111 (mixed glass); 5,160,078 (paper) and 11,586,770 (metal) with a total of GH¢ 27,113,919 ($10,845,568) equivalent to 2,106,339.2 m3 (74,384,667.5 ft3) per annum of biogas from these components with a market value of GH¢ 1,997,972.17 ($768, 393.62); 11,579 Mwh (1.32 Mw) of electricity and 9,535 Mwh (1.09 Mw) of heat. This is estimated to be lost with the current waste management practices. Conclusions. We recommend that GEMA institute sustainable recycling practices and utilization of biogas production technologies and prioritize sanitation and waste management education for the public, obligate home segregation of waste materials, involve workers by providing them with protective clothing, incorporate informal waste collectors and scavengers into the new system and collaborate with research institutions in waste-to-resource projects to ensure a more sustainable waste management system in the municipality. Participant Consent: Obtained Competing Interests. The authors declare no competing financial interests