Waste management and practices in a slaughterhouse in Abeokuta Nigeria: Case study, implications and alternative methods

Abstract

The waste management operations at a main slaughterhouse (SH) in Ogun State was assessed. Waste generated included condemned organs, carcasses, ruminal contents, hair, hoofs, horns, faeces, blood and carcass trimmings which are poorly utilized. Solid wastes were observed as open dumps within SH facilities, while waste water was discharged in a nearby river, which also served butchers as main water source for meat washing. The unhygienic disposal of solid and liquid waste are potential threats to food safety, environment (air, surface and groundwater) and public health and some operable waste utilization strategies were described.

Keywords: Alternative methods; Environment; Public health; Slaughterhouse; Waste management