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Characterization of wastes and their recycling potentials; A case study of East-West Road, Port Harcourt
KONYA, R. S.; ZITTE, L. F. & UGWULOR, Q. N.
Abstract
Wastes along the Port Harcourt axis of East –West Road from Choba Bridge to Rumukwurushi tank
were studied. This study was based on the characterization of wastes and its recycling potentials. Eight different waste
receptacles were studied. Wastes in these receptacles were characterized and their recycling potentials evaluated.
Predominant wastes at each receptacle were identified through direct waste sorting and characterization. Waste
scavengers were interviewed to appreciate the trend of waste sorting and characterization in Port Harcourt. Common
waste discovered at the receptacles were cartons, papers , animals bones, plastics , aluminium plates, nylon bags,
ceramic materials, vegetable stems, hospital wastes, old and damaged electronics, old computers, photocopying
machines etc. The wastes in the area could be grouped into municipal wastes and they express the type of activities
carried out within the study area. Recycling potentials of the characterized wastes were identified and the likely benefits
of waste recycling emphasized. It was observed that: plastics could be recycled into fleece jacket; aluminium cans could
be shredded, ground and melted to form another aluminium sheet. Bottles, glass and ceramics were observed to be
recycleable into their original products. Vegetable stems and garbage could be used to produce compost and animal
bones crushed and used to produce vim. Other combustible materials could be used as fuel. Awareness on recycling
should generally be encouraged in society. @JASEM
Keywords
Solid waste, waste characterization, recycling potentials, waste scavengers
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