Abstract

Effective waste management is crucial in Osun State, Nigeria, due to its impact on health, livelihoods, and climate resilience. This essay discusses promoting sustainable waste management in Osun State as a collective responsibility. It outlines the importance of waste management, profiles waste generation and impacts in Osun, highlights strategies for implementing the waste hierarchy, defines roles for stakeholders as a collective responsibility, and details access to local waste management services. The Osun Waste Management Agency (OWMA) law of 2016 as amended provides a legal framework for waste management in the state.

Introduction

Waste management is a critical issue in Osun State, Nigeria, with direct links to health, livelihoods, and climate resilience. Inefficient waste management practices can lead to adverse health outcomes, negatively impact livelihoods through environmental degradation, and undermine efforts towards achieving climate resilience. The objectives of addressing waste management in Osun State are to inform the community about the challenges and impacts of waste management, motivate action towards improving waste management practices, and to start a pilot project that implements effective waste management strategies.

Waste Profile in Osun and Resident Impact

In Osun State, waste is generated from various sources including households, markets, and industry. Waste is often disposed of on road medians, causing unsightliness and detriment to aesthetics. Some individuals burn their refuse in public drainage systems while others dispose of theirs directly or wholly into water bodies. The impacts of poor waste management include blockage of drainage, leading to unsightliness and increased risk of flooding. These conditions have significant health implications, such as the spread of diseases and creation of breeding grounds for pests. This highlights the need for source separation of waste to mitigate these adverse effects.

Waste Hierarchy in Action: Concrete Osun Examples

Implementing the waste hierarchy in Osun State can be achieved through several strategies. In Osogbo, there are opportunities to reduce plastics in markets, utilize community recycling hubs, practice home composting, and explore small biogas ideas. There are numerous strategic places for waste management in Osogbo, including many iron and can buyers aiding in the recycling of metals. A steel rolling factory in Ikirun, Osun State, manages iron and steel. Additionally, plastic recycling hubs in Osogbo Metropolis allow for the disposal of plastics with cash rewards based on weight. Compostable waste can serve as fertilizer for micro-agriculture, and some waste can be disposed of via the hog feeding method using sheep and goats for vegetable leftovers and other consumable food items, noting limitations on the number of livestock that can be reared in residential areas.

Collective Responsibility of Households, Schools, Businesses, and Local Groups

Households, schools, businesses, and local groups share a collective responsibility in promoting sustainable waste management in Osun State. Together, they can:

• Provide refuse bins at entrances for easy waste collection and disposal.

• Manage waste through subscriptions with licensed Private Sector Partnerships (PSP) or applications to OWMA.

• Engage in community committees, school clubs, and trader associations for coordination.

• Practice sorting at source, composting, and separating plastics, perishables, combustibles, and compostables to reduce waste volume.

• Households specifically should stop disposing refuse on road medians and other undesignated areas.

Access to Local Services: Collection and Recycling Options

For waste management services across Osun State, the Osun Waste Management Agency (OWMA) is located at Old Boorepo House, Ring Road. OWMA is responsible for registering and licensing Private Sector Partnership (PSP) operators and has a dedicated department for Environmental Sanitation Monitoring. Recyclables or e‑waste can be swapped for cash at Waste Swap, a recycling hub in the Testing Ground area of Osogbo; they are reachable via Instagram or their website, Wasteswap.com.ng.

Policy and Legal Framework

According to the OWMA law of 2016 as amended:

• "Dumping of waste of any description at any place other than a waste disposal site" is a punishable offense, attracting one year imprisonment or #50,000 fine.

• "Burning of waste of any description" is a punishable offense, attracting one year imprisonment or #50,000 fine.

• Using lined drainage as refuse dumps is forbidden, attracting one year imprisonment or #50,000 fine.

• Dumping refuse or waste in streams or rivers within Osun State is punishable, attracting one year imprisonment or a fine of #50,000.

Conclusion

Promoting sustainable waste management in Osun State is a collective responsibility requiring community involvement, adherence to the waste hierarchy, and compliance with the OWMA law of 2016 as amended. By informing the community, motivating action, and implementing effective strategies, Osun State can improve waste management practices, mitigate adverse impacts on health, livelihoods, and climate resilience.