Vulnerability and Improper waste management have become a modern-day dilemma that needs tactics to tackle its total elimination.

Abimbola Abikoye

Vulnerability and improper waste management pose significant challenges to coastal, riverine, and slum communities worldwide. These communities, already grappling with environmental issues, generate tons of waste daily without adequate infrastructure to manage it effectively.

As a result, many resort to burning, dumping in water bodies, or simply living amidst piles of waste due to a sense of helplessness and lack of government intervention.

The consequences of such improper waste disposal practices are dire. Waste materials often find their way into oceans, harming marine life by entangling sea birds and suffocating aquatic species. Additionally, residents, particularly children and women, face heightened risks of infectious diseases due to airborne and waterborne pathogens, exacerbating the challenges they already face in impoverished environments with inadequate healthcare systems.

The ongoing pandemic further compounds these vulnerabilities, widening disparities in access to food and healthcare while exacerbating existing injustices. Addressing waste management inefficiencies must therefore become a top priority for all, as failure to do so will result in even more significant loss of life.

Moreover, in the face of climate change, the urgency of proper waste management is amplified. As the Earth's climate continues to shift rapidly, effective waste management becomes essential for maintaining healthy living conditions.

Amidst these challenges, there is hope. World Cleanup Day, celebrated globally, serves as a rallying cry for a healthier and more sustainable environment. Originating from Estonia in 2008, the movement has since grown into a global phenomenon, uniting millions of volunteers worldwide to clean up their communities.

To mark this occasion, Revamp Rave Network organized a live chat on Instagram, featuring discussions on "The Impact of Improper Waste Management on Vulnerable Children and Women." The program highlighted the importance of proper waste disposal, recycling, and measures to protect against the adverse effects of improper waste management.

To alleviate vulnerabilities among women and children, it is imperative to ensure functional drainage systems, timely waste collection by management agencies, and well-constructed roads for efficient waste disposal. By leveraging innovation in waste management, we can work towards creating a sustainable environment and reducing the risks posed by improper waste disposal.

Happy World Cleanup Day! Let's join hands to make our world cleaner and safer for all.