Challenges, Solutions and World Waste Problems"

Waste and its disposal have been a major source of concern the world over. The advanced countries having so many industries resort to dumping their waste in poor African countries or unsuspecting neighbours around them.

Even in our various localities , waste management is a hotly debated topic. This issue is the basis of the engagement contest I am going to write in. The topic is Challenges, Solutions and World Waste Problems

The contest tips will act as a guide as we explore the topic.

What do you think when you see someone throwing rubbish carelessly? and, in your country what is the form of punishment for people who deliberately throw rubbish carelessly?

I feel sad and unhappy seeing someone dumping refuse carelessly. I feel like calling the person back and asking him to pack them up. It is very disheartening to see such things done visibly on public roads without any recourse.

To many it is normal but to me it is absurd

There have been several laws enacted over the years for indiscriminate dumping of refuse. I remember during the military regime, if you are caught dropping refuse on the road or even urinating on the road, the military will give you the flogging of your life and you will be assigned to wash the drainage off as punishment.

After that era, there are environmental laws enacted by the states which includes punishment by payment of fines and spending time in jail as may be determined by the sitting court magistrate.

There are also some government offices that are responsible for overseeing the refuse in all the states and these ones are the ones responsible for monitoring and implementing the refuse laws in the states like the ASEPA (Abia State Environmental Protection Agency) in Abia State. They make sure that they remove refuse that are dumped along the road as quickly as possible to avoid becoming a problem to the inhabitants of that area.

They also direct citizens to drop refuse properly especially inside the refuse cans that they provided and kept at strategic places.

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At your place, is waste used to increase income? What are the benefits of waste that can make money there?

Yes is the answer. There are some business outfits that are in the business of waste management. They pick up refuse and waste from individual homes.

They separate organic wastes from inorganic wastes. Organic wastes are wastes the can be acted on by microbes and they decay while the inorganic ones are those that can be recycled.

These business outfits convert the organics into manures that could be used as fertilizers for plants and crops. They sell these and make money from it.

The inorganic refuse like polyethylene, rubber, bottles and other materials are recycled and sold as raw material to companies that needs them. So they also make money from the sales of these recycled wastes.

Another benefit is that it creates job opportunities for so many youths thus sparing them from the problem of unemployment.

In your opinion, how do you manage household waste properly so that it does not have a bad impact on the environment?

In my house, I separate the organic waste from the inorganic ones. Since I have a small garden not far from my house, I dispose the organic waste there. They decay and become manure for the crops and plants.

For the inorganic ones, I put them in an old empty drum and incinerate them there while covered. This prevents them from scattering and being buried in the soil, thus adding to environmental hazards.

Will the accumulation of large amounts of waste affect the comfort of people in your neighboring country? How did that happen? share your opinion

Accumulation of lots of waste will affect the comfort of people, your neighbours and even the neighbouring country.

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Granted, I have not heard of refuse dumping by my country to other neighbouring countries. But I have heard of other countries dumping the waste materials in my country.

In one instance, a ship was caught within our territorial waters carrying drums of waste bioactive products.

Thankfully, they were caught and sent back. Who knows where they finally dumped it. That would affect sea life and hamper the business of fishermen who live along that coast.

In one of the cities that I lived before, there was a point along the road refuse was dumped. It was so much that it reached the height of a two story building.

This affected the health of many people leaving within that area. I personally felt very bad when I passed along that area since it was a major road.

I am happy that it has been removed so that the inhabitants of those area will breath a sigh of relief.

Conclusion

Waste should be properly managed in every country, city and village. It can pose health threat to the inhabitants if not properly managed. If properly managed, it can serve as a protection for the inhabitants. It has also provided business opportunities for most.

I am glad to have taken part in this contest. Thank you all for reading through. @okere-blessing @ruthjoe and @yancar and @drhira to take part in this week's contest. Success in advance to you all!