PLASTIC AND IRON WASTE RECYCLING POLLUTION IN LAGOS STATE, NIGERIA

Lagos State has experienced adverse pollution as a result of lack of proper waste management and diverse industrial activities within its environs. The repercussion of this has consequently led to the deplorable state of the environment as well as the low quality of health amongst residents. Waste management has become a huge and intricate problem due to geometric population growth, urbanisation, industrialisation and the rising standard of living. This study investigated Plastic and Iron Waste Recycling Pollution in Lagos State, Nigeria. This study concluded that hazards of Plastic and Iron Waste Recycling Pollution in Lagos State; the drainage systems habitually blocked causing yearly flooding which usually lasted throughout the rainy seasons from April to October and displaced millions of residents. The clogged sewage systems became the perfect breeding environment for mosquitoes and flooding washed away footpaths caused people to move around in dirty water from overflowed gutters and polluted major sources of drinking water which led to the spread of cholera and typhoid fever. Also, higher levels of toxic heavy metals were observed among residents at close proximity to recycling iron factories. For environmental sustainability in Lagos State plastic and iron waste recycling pollution must be seriously cautioned in following; environmental impact assessment is necessary for any development in Lagos State, recycling programmes and waste to energy facilities can be reawaken with modernised and ecological friendly technologies. Keywords: Iron waste, Plastic waste, Pollution, Waste recycling, Waste management.