Quantitative Analysis of Solid Waste Generation from Tanneries in Kano State

Abstract

Tanning industries have been so important since ancient times because it helps to produce essential goods such as garment and footwear. However, these industries have been polluting the environment, so there was a need for investigations, observations, and analysis by researchers for better management and environmental sustainability. In this study, solid wastes from tanning industries in Kano State, Nigeria were quantitatively analyzed. Both questionnaires and physical measurements were used in the Bompai, Sharada, and Challawa industrial areas. The average weight of raw skin was 0.96 kg and the generation rate was 27.5% of the total weight of processed skin. It was found that 85% of the generated waste was organic, while only 15% was inorganic. The peak season for a solid waste generation was the holy season of the Muslim-majority communities, known as "Eid al-Adha", (10th-13th Zulhajj of the lunar calendar). While the off-peak generation season was during the rainy season, generated solid wastes from the tanning industries could have the potential for sustainable utilization in terms of renewable energy generation and some agricultural applications. It was therefore recommended that future researches should analyze the potentiality of these industries for the benefit of Kano State.