African Journal of Environmental and Waste Management

African Journal of Environmental and Waste Management Vol. 1 (5), pp. 081-084, December, 2013.© International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Governance challenges in Tanzania’s environmental impact assessment practice

Hussein Sosovele

Institute of Resource Assessment, University of Dar es Salaam, P.O.Box 35097, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. E-mail: [email protected]. Tel: +255 22 2410144, +255 784 471 686. Fax: + 255 22 2410393.

Accepted 10 September, 2013

Abstract

Tanzania has had an interesting history of Environmental Impact Assessments (EA). Few assessments were conducted prior to 2004 leading to a process of voluntary compliance without explicit laws to enforce the process. Even without a comprehensive legal and institutional framework, those EIAs generated useful policy decisions. Fundamental changes came after 2004 when Tanzania adopted the first ever-comprehensive legal and institutional framework – that is, the Environmental Management Act Cap 191. This Act promotes Environmental Assessment, gives it the legal support and defines the institutional set up for the management of the environment. However, Tanzania still grapples with EIA ineffectiveness in guiding development decisions and environmental management arising from various projects. Numerous studies on the effectiveness of EIA have explored governance issues such as stakeholder participation, legislating EIA process, capacity building and institutional arrangement. Few studies have looked at governance issues such as accountability of responsible institutions in enforcing environmental assessments and procedures. This article discusses accountability challenges in enforcing laws for EIA by exploring the experiences of selected development decisions in the post 2004 in Tanzania. The article argues that, inadequate or lack of accountability in enforcing the Environmental Management Act is a governance failure that renders the EIA process ineffective. The article calls for a re-assessment of the theoretical arguments used to understand effectiveness to include sociological and psychological factors that influences accountability actions by environmental agencies and planners.

Key words: Accountability, governance, effectiveness awareness, courage.

African Journal of Environmental and Waste Management Vol. 1 (1), pp. 005-012, August, 2013. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Design of a waste management model using integrated solid waste management: A case of Bulawayo City Council

Bupe Mwanza* and Anthony Phiri

Harare Institute of Technology, P. O. Box BE277 Belvedere Harare.

*Corresponding author. E-mail: [email protected], [email protected]. Tel: 263 773 433248, 263 774 379969.

Accepted 21 April, 2013

Abstract

The purpose of this research paper was to design a waste management model for Bulawayo City Council (BCC) based on integrated solid waste management system. The increasing solid waste generation in the city of Bulawayo is evidenced by increased number of illegal dumping of waste in the urban communities. In this paper, a model that identifies cost-effective and efficient combinations of scientific and engineering tools to manage solid waste and also incorporating the key performance indicators (KPIs) or metrics for solid waste management services has been designed. Literature on different types of waste management models, quantitative analysis of waste at Ross camp, direct observations made in the city locations and policy documents of the Zimbabwean Government (EMA acts), founded the development of this model. The design shows a clear depiction of the environmental management acts (EMA) and the municipality by-laws. Performance measurement which is very critical in waste management has been incorporated. Model design focus was on waste type which is a determinant of the waste receptacles, collection, transportation and disposal methods have therefore been depicted in the model. The model provides easy access to data for the formation and implementation of effective solid waste management policies, strategies and programs to achieve sustainable waste management.

Key words: Environment, Integrated Solid Waste Management (ISWM), solid waste.

African Journal of Environmental and Waste Management Vol. 1 (3), pp. 056-061, October, 2013. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Urban solid waste management based on geoinformatics technology

Elmira Shamshiry¹*, Behzad Nadi², Mazlin Bin Mokhtar¹, Ibrahim Komoo¹ and Halimaton Saadiah Hashim¹

¹Institute for Environment and Development (LESTARI), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), Malaysia.

²Institute of Advanced Technology (ITMA), Universiti Putra Malaysia, Malaysia.

*Corresponding author. E-mail: [email protected]. Tel: 0060172884912.

Accepted 15 July, 2013

Abstract

The solid waste materials in cities are the natural outcome of human activities. Provision of such system appears to be a major problem due to the complication and the wide nature of waste production. Due to the different parameters involved, deciding upon a suitable location is also very complicated, costly and time consuming. Different criteria are working in determination of an appropriate place for disposal; each of them is of high importance and may cause specific restrictions as to the selection of the location. The ultimate aim of these criteria is the selection of a site that is likely to have at least possible detrimental environmental effect on the nearby area. The pollution of underground water and soil of surrounding area can be considered as some of these bad effects. However, geospatial system can serve as an efficient way of employing and managing various data that can be utilized in locating more appropriate places for the disposal of solid waste. The methodology being implemented utilized geospatial technology for management and visualization of spatial data while fuzzy logic sets is used in searching the best location for landfill.

Key words: Geospatial technology, sanitary landfill, fuzzy logic sets.

African Journal of Environmental and Waste Management Vol. 1 (5), pp. 092-095, December, 2013. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Estimation of pollution load from an industrial estate, south-western Nigeria

Effiong Ukorebi ETIM

Department of Chemistry, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria. E-mail: [email protected]. Tel: +234-08033690012.

Accepted 19 August, 2013

Abstract

The Ota industrial estate being one of the largest in the southwestern Nigerian, contributes significantly to its socio-economic development. This study is design to generate the much needed industrial emission data for efficient environmental monitoring and compliance. The industrial pollution projection survey (IPPS) and rapid pollution inventory survey (RPIS) models developed by the World Bank were used for the estimation of pollution loads. The results showed that a total of 6970 tons/yr of air pollutants (SO₂, NO₂, CO, VOC and PM), 10800 tons/yr of wastewater pollutants (BOD and TSS) and 1090 tons/yr of toxic pollution (air, land and water) were released into the environment from the industrial estate. Carbon monoxide accounted for the highest air pollution load representing 57.5%. About 64.0% of the total pollution load of the industrial estate was contributed by industries in the basic metal, iron, steel and fabricated metal works sector. There is need for industrial emission monitoring and enforcement for pollution control and abatement. Similarly, efficient and environmentally friendly waste management practices should be adopted within the confines of this all-important industrial estate.

Key words: Industrial pollution projection survey (IPPS), rapid pollution inventory survey (RPIS), models, industrial estate, industrial emission, carbon monoxide.

 African Journal of Environmental and Waste Management Vol. 1 (2), pp. 028-034, September, 2013. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Solid waste management system of Narayanganj city: An environmental study

Asib Ahmed* and Shahnaz Huq-Hussain

Department of Geography and Environment, University of Dhaka, Dhaka-1000, Bangladesh.

*Corresponding author. E-mail: [email protected]. Tel: +88 01817564248.

Accepted 6 April, 2013

Abstract

Improper management of solid waste is one of the main causes of environmental pollution and degradation in many cities. Many cities lack solid waste regulations and proper disposal facilities. The present paper attempts to understand the poor disposal and handling of waste that leads to environmental degradation, destruction of the ecosystem and poses great risks to public health in Narayanganj City of Bangladesh. The study shows that there is a significant link between the improper management of urban solid wastes and environmental pollution. In order to achieve the goals and to evaluate the environmental aspects around the ultimate disposal sites of solid wastes the current amount of waste generation and the nature of the solid waste management system of the city has been analyzed. Finally, the paper suggests some measures for taking necessary steps to keep the city nice and healthy.

Key words: Contamination, environment, leachate, recycling, disposal.

African Journal of Environmental and Waste Management Vol. 1 (4), pp. 069-076, November, 2013. © International Scholars Journals
 

Full Length Research Paper

An evaluation of waste control measures in construction industry in Nigeria

A. B. Wahab¹* and A. F Lawal²

¹Department of Building, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria.

²Department of Building and Quantity Surveying, Joseph Ayo Babalola University, Ikeji-Arakeji, Nigeria.

*Corresponding author. E-mail: [email protected].

Accepted 14 June, 2013

Abstract

Improper control of materials during different stages of construction has caused waste and associated environmental problems. Hence, this research assesses the forms, causes and factors incidental to waste and measures to effectively control construction waste. It is shown that among the factors incidental to waste, last minute client requirement was ranked highest as the factor that leads to design variation with relative importance index value of 3.97; cost of construction materials was ranked highest as a factor that affects selection of construction materials with relative importance index value of 4.05, and construction cost was ranked highest as the factor that leads to construction method with relative importance index value of 3.86. The research also showed that most of the firms do not calculate waste indices which could assist them to determine the amount of waste that could be generated on sites. Sorting exercise that could help firms to identify economy advantage associated with the waste streams is not adequately carried out. It was also discovered that most firms do not incorporate “waste management plan” into the collection of documents that are required of contracting firms during tendering process. To control waste, designers should be able to co-ordinate dimensions between materials specified during design and those procured for use at sites. There is need to allow proper control in the handling, storage and use of materials on site. Also, “waste management plan” should be incorporated as one of the documents dearly expected to be submitted by contracting firms during tendering process.

Key words: Construction processes, waste, factors, effects, control measures.