Waste Pickers and Urban Solid Waste Management System in Nigerian cities: Between Sustainable Policy gap and Survivalist Strategy

Abstract

The activities of waste pickers in Nigeria are beclouded with misconception and disregard. Though perceived as a survivalist strategy form of trade, the apparent contribution of these operators towards solid waste management cannot be overemphasized. Yet, the official denial of this reality and inaction towards feed backs from cities has resulted in their non inclusion in policies and in the organizational structure of waste management agencies in the country.  This paper sought to looks at government response towards the increasing operations of the informal sector in the light of sustainable solid waste management techniques so as to determine ways of incorporating them into the urban solid waste management process. The survey revealed that the informal sector (waste pickers or scavengers) and their role in ensuring sustainable refuse management is worthy of commendation rather than condemnation thereby contradicting the general unsavory impression about their activities. In view of the above, it is therefore recommended that existing environmental management laws in the country be reviewed so as to evolve a public sector reform that would foster an effective integration and partnership with the informal sector as well as adopting proactive measures in order to develop a sustainable environmental management mechanism in urban solid waste management system in Nigerian cities.

Key words: Informal Sector; Organizational Structure; Solid Waste Management