WASTE: A RAW MATERIAL FOR SOIL AMENDMENT AND AN EMPLOYER OF LABOUR

摘要

A demonstration waste control pilot project was carried out at the Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State, Southwest Nigeria, to justify the concept of waste management and environmental sustainability through youth engagement for poverty reduction in the area. The project involved a standard waste handling method which ensures a cleaner and greener environment thus reducing the harmful effects of pollution; and also, the transfer of wastes into soil amendment thereby generating cash for the sustenance of the youth through their engagement in the project. Three designated colour coded wheeler bins (green, blue and brown) of 250 each were used for collecting organic, recyclables and toxic wastes respectively through waste segregation from source of generation thus ensuring the project concept of "3R": reduction, recycle and re-use of wastes. A total of 750 wheeler bins were distributed to different household and designated places. Polythene bags were assigned to the green coded wheeler bins in order to forestall the spilling of organic waste. Wastes inventory, sensitization campaign of waste management, construction of a compost plant -greenhouse, transfer of composting technology or skill acquisition program, employment of young people for waste management and production of compost for agricultural purposes were employed. The recyclables wastes were sold for re-use or recycling while the toxic wastes were disposed by the government waste agent. The organic wastes were transformed into compost and sold at an affordable rate which made it readily available to the farmers for their small holder vegetable farm which had little or no previous soil amendment/conservation practices; thus justifying the need for amendment with compost. A total of 2tons of compost was turned over within 30 days interval using modified thermo aerobic biodegradation technology at the compost farm consisting of 12 cells measuring 60 square meters. A demonstration farm with Amanrantus spp as the test crop was used to show the effectiveness of the compost. A public training was conducted for general awareness and on the handling of waste management and compost production, during which about 500 persons received the training and a total of 20 waste handlers was employed in the pilot project.