Thesis Abstract

Landfill emissions pose significant environmental concerns in Nigeria. This study investigates the impact of landfill emissions on the environment in Nigeria, focusing on air, soil, and water quality. The country's rapid urbanization and industrialization have led to an increase in waste generation, resulting in more landfills and subsequently higher emissions. The emissions from landfills in Nigeria include greenhouse gases such as methane and carbon dioxide, as well as volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and hazardous air pollutants. These emissions contribute to air pollution, which can have adverse effects on human health, vegetation, and climate change. In addition, leachate from landfills can contaminate soil and groundwater, posing risks to both the environment and public health. The study employs a combination of field measurements, remote sensing techniques, and modeling to assess landfill emissions and their environmental impact. Air quality monitoring stations are set up near landfills to measure concentrations of key pollutants, while satellite imagery is used to track landfill expansion and activities. Atmospheric dispersion models are used to simulate the transport of landfill emissions and their effects on air quality. Results indicate that landfill emissions in Nigeria contribute significantly to air pollution, with high levels of methane, VOCs, and particulate matter being detected near landfills. These pollutants have been linked to respiratory diseases, cardiovascular problems, and environmental degradation. Furthermore, the leachate from landfills has been found to contain heavy metals and other contaminants, which can persist in the soil and water for long periods. The study also assesses the regulatory framework for landfill management in Nigeria and identifies gaps in current practices. Recommendations are made for improving waste management strategies, including better waste segregation, recycling programs, and the implementation of modern landfill technologies such as gas collection systems and liners to prevent leachate contamination. Overall, this research sheds light on the environmental implications of landfill emissions in Nigeria and provides valuable insights for policymakers, environmental agencies, and the public. Addressing these issues requires a multi-faceted approach that combines regulatory measures, technological innovations, and public awareness campaigns to mitigate the impact of landfill emissions on the environment.

Thesis Overview

INTRODUCTION

Cities are at the nexus of a further threat to the environment, namely the production of an increasing quantity and complexity of wastes. The estimated quantity of Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) generated worldwide is 1.7 – 1.9 billion metric tons.2 In many cases, municipal wastes are not well managed in developing countries, as cities and municipalities cannot cope with the accelerated pace of waste production. Waste collection rates are often lower than 70 per cent in low-income countries. More than 50 per cent of the collected waste is often disposed of through uncontrolled landfilling and about 15 per cent is processed through unsafe and informal recycling. Landfill Emissions

Municipal Solid Waste Management

As a Mayor, you may have to face challenging waste management decisions addressing issues that require immediate attention as well as potential issues that require strategic and integrated planning and implementation. Establishing and improving facilities for collection, recycling, treatment and disposal for MSW management can be very costly. For example, building and operating sanitary landfills and incineration plants require huge investments and incur substantial operation and maintenance costs. Furthermore, it is becoming increasingly difficult to find suitable locations for waste treatment facilities due to the prevalence of the Not In My Backyard (NIMBY) attitude amongst communities. Landfill Emissions

Meanwhile, if waste is growing at 3-5 per cent a year and rural-urban migration increases a city’s population at a similar rate, then a city’s waste generation will double every 10 years.4 Urban managers are therefore encouraged to pursue the paths of Integrated Solid Waste Management (ISWM) and Reduce, Reuse and Recycle (3Rs) that place highest priority on waste prevention, waste reduction, and waste recycling instead of just trying to cope with ever-increasing amounts of waste through treatment and disposal. Such efforts will help cities to reduce the financial burden on city authorities for waste management, as well as reduce the pressure on landfill requirements. We live in a world of increasing scarcity. Raw materials from natural resources are limited, financial resources are often insufficient, and securing land for final disposal is getting more difficult. Landfill Emissions

Clearly, city authorities should set policy directions aiming for resource efficient, recycle-based society if they are to provide a clean, healthy and pleasant living environment to its citizens for current and future generations. Although waste management responsibilities primarily lie with cities and municipalities, many of the successful cases in waste management involve a wide range of stakeholders in their implementation, as can be seen in the case studies cited here. This gives a clear message to cities and municipalities that they should not try to do everything by themselves. Rather, the key to success is to do what they are good at, and collaborate with other sectors in the society, such as private sector, communities and in some cases with the informal sector, in the interest of expanding waste management services and improving efficiency and effectiveness. Landfill Emissions