Management of Sawmill Wastes in Nigeria: Case Study of Minna, Niger State

Abstract

Ways by which sawmills in Minna, handle the waste they generate were evaluated using questionnaires, personal interviews and physical observation. Eight (8) major sawmills were studied. The study revealed that wastes generated by these sawmills consist of sawdust, wood cut-off and bark of log of woods. Wastes are disposed off majorly by open dumping, open burning, domestic usage, bedding for poultry and for landfill. Although most sawmills are aware of the guidelines and regulations governing the treatment and disposal of sawmill wastes, they hardly abide by them. The personnel who are assigned to sanitize the mill environment possess inadequate safety wares. The study also revealed that Environmental Protection Agency/Sanitary Inspectors and the Development control Board in the city inadequately perform their duties. This paper also highlighted the need to enlighten the public, sawmill workers and the government on the dangers of indiscriminate disposal of sawmill wastes.

Evaluation of Wood Plastic Composites Produced from Mahogany and Teak

“…Low log to lumber recovery factor in most sawmills is estimated to be between 45 and 50% and the remainder is residues [2]. These wastes constitute environmental nuisance and are sources of hazards to the wood, wood products and the wood mill operators.…”

Occupational Hazards, Safety and Hygienic Practices among Timber Workers in a South Eastern State, Nigeria

“…These practices further increase the risk of diseases and accidents in the work place as occupational illnesses normally develop over a period of time because of the poor hygiene and sanitary conditions of the work environment. The proper disposal of waste wood and the maintenance of proper hygienic and sanitary conditions remains a major challenge facing the timber industry, probably associated with cultural attitudes, as the existing guidelines for the proper disposal and treatment are not complied with; not because there are no laws or the timber workers are ignorant but due to the fact that the Sanitary and Environmental regulatory agencies charged with the responsibility of enforcing the laws are inactive [27].…”

Hazards of wood sawmills in Nigeria’s cities: the role of fourth industrial revolution technologies

“…Thus, many cannot afford kiln drying equipment, though located within the city centre across the country. There is a huge, unquantified sawdust waste at sawmill sites across Nigeria (Ogunbode et al , 2013; Raimi et al , 2020). These heaps spoil the aesthetic appeal of the vicinities with unpleasant odours.…”

“…In Nigeria, several studies, for example, Arimoro et al (2006), Ogunbode et al (2013), Ediagbonya et al (2013), Eziyi et al (2015), Tobin et al (2016), Okedere et al (2017), Awosan et al (2018) and Raimi et al (2020) conducted studies regarding sawmill hazard but none concerning near residents’ hazards. Majority of the existing published works focussed on sawmill owners and their workers’ safety.…”

“…It cannot be eliminated but can be mitigated and well managed. Ogunbode et al (2013) highlighted some of the issues associated with unmanaged sawmill waste, such as urban environmental degradation, reduce the aesthetic value of buildings in that vicinity, generate aggressive odours during the rainy season and pollute the air with smoke when the wastes are burnt irrepressibly. Reyes et al (2015) identified the key aspects involved in the waste timber dilemma if not well managed.…”