Environmental Degradation and Tyre Waste Management Challenges in Nigerian Cities

Abstract

The rapid pace of urbanization and vehicular growth in Nigerian cities has resulted in a substantial surge in end-of-life tyres (ELTs), many of which are indiscriminately discarded in open spaces, drainage channels, and public environments. These ELTs constitute a mounting environmental hazard, contributing significantly to soil, air, and water contamination, while also posing risks to public health and urban infrastructure. Although environmental protection frameworks exist in Nigeria, there remains a notable absence of targeted policies specifically addressing the management of scrap tyres. Weak institutional enforcement, coupled with low public awareness and informal disposal systems, has intensified the challenge of managing tyre waste sustainably. This paper explores the magnitude of ELT generation, the environmental degradation associated with inadequate disposal, and the structural and regulatory obstacles impeding effective governance. Using empirical data, policy analysis, and global benchmarks, the study outlines a strategic pathway toward a circular economy framework. Core policy suggestions include the adoption of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), investment in tyre recycling and pyrolysis technologies, community-based sensitization campaigns, and alignment of regulatory mechanisms with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The study underscores the critical need for coordinated, multi-level policy action to mitigate the environmental and public health impacts of tyre waste in urban Nigeria.