An Appraisal of the Environmental Impacts of Food Processing Industrial Waste in Nigeria

Abstract

The food industry is now facing increasing pressure to ensure that their company's activities are environmentally sensitive, but there is also increased internal pressure to maintain or increase profitability in the face of fierce competition. In this study the environmental impacts of food processing industrial wastes and its remedy were examined. The study adopted a desk review of existing literatures on industrial waste in Nigeria. It was concluded that the food processing industries do have positive and negative impacts on the environment For all the identified negative environmental impacts, it is recommended that utilization of the best available technology; payment of optimal liability compensation to local communities and institutionalization of adequate abatement measures be adopted. The manufacturing processes should be designed to maximize recycling potential and minimize the generation of residuals.

Key words: Industrial wastes, Environmental impacts, Food processing, Positive and Negative impacts,