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.
Keywords
Tyre WasteEnvironmental DegradationUrban PollutionCircular Economy
References
Abid, I., Fuad, S. M. Z. A., Chowdhury, M. J. M., Chowdhury, M. S., & Ferdous, M. S. (2024). A systematic literature review on the use of blockchain technology in transition to a circular economy. Preprint. https://arxiv.org/abs/2408.11664 arXiv Adebisi, A., Olaiya, N., & Owolabi, O. (2021). Characterisation of pyro oil from tyre pyrolysis for energy content. Journal of Interdisciplinary Research, 6(7), 1–9. Adeola, F., & Saliu, J. (2019). Stormwater drain blockages and urban flooding in Lagos. Journal of Environmental Systems, 12(1), 45–57. Akinbomi, J., & Salami, M. (2022). Generator exhaust control in Nigeria using activated carbon from discarded rubber tyres. International Journal of Engineering Research & Technology (IJERT), 11(02). https://doi.org/10.17577/IJERTV11IS020043. Akinola, A.?O., & Olaiya, N., & Owolabi, O.?P. (2012). Characterisation of pyro oil from tyre pyrolysis for energy content. Journal of Interdisciplinary Research, 6(7), 1–9. Retrieved from https://auojs.au.edu/index.php/eJIR/article/view/5511 auojs.au.edu. Akintunde, O., & Oloruntoba, E. (2021). Residents raise safety concern over burning tyres. The Guardian Nigeria. https://guardian.ng/news/residents-raise-safety-concern-over-burning- tyres. Alsheyab, M. A. T., Khedaywi, T., & Ogiliat, O. (2025). Effect of waste tire rubber on properties of asphalt cement and asphalt concrete mixtures: State of the art. International Journal of Pavement Research and Technology, 18, 516–527. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42947-023- 00361-4 SpringerLink+1SpringerLink+1. Anukam, V. N. (2021). EPR implementation framework in Nigeria: Legal and institutional constraints for waste producer responsibility and enforcement in municipal solid waste management. Global Journal of Environmental Research, 15(1), 45–60. Bayero, A. S., Mohammed, M. I., & Singh, P K. (2023). Pyrolysis char from waste tyres: Characteristics, upgrading and application. Zaštita Materijala. https://doi.org/10.62638/ZasMat1046. Bayero, A.?S., Yaro, N.?S.?A., Mohammed, M.?I., & Singh, P.?K. (2025). Pyrolysis char from waste tyres—characteristics, upgrading, and application. Zaštita Materijala. https://doi.org/10.62638/ZasMat1046 zastita-materijala.org. Bilema, M., Yuen, C. W., Alharthai, M., Al-Saffar, Z. H., Al-Sabaeei, A., & Md Yusoff, N. I. (2023). A review of rubberised asphalt for flexible pavement applications: Production, content, performance, motivations and future directions. Sustainability, 15(19), Article https://doi.org/10.3390/su151914481 MDPI+1en.wikipedia.org+1 Bosede, A. A., & Obire, O. (2022). Comparative effect of firewood and automobile tyre flaring on polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and heavy metal content of abattoir soils in Rivers State. International Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology, 7(2), 69–74. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijmb.20220702.14 Academic JournalsScience Publishing Group. Cabalar, A. F., Hassan, D. I., & Abdulnafaa, M. D. (2016). Use of waste ceramic tiles for road pavement subgrade. Road Materials and Pavement Design, 17(Sup7), 1–? https://doi.org/10.1080/14680629.2016.1194884 ResearchGate Debrah, J. K., Teye, G. K., & Dinis, M. A. P. (2022). Barriers and challenges to waste management hindering the circular economy in Sub-Saharan Africa. Urban Science, 6(3), 57. https://doi.org/10.3390/urbansci6030057 Deinma T. Dick, & Agboola, O. (2020). Pyrolysis of waste tyre for high-quality fuel products: A review. AIMS Energy, 8(5), 869–895. https://doi.org/10.3934/energy.2020.5.869. Dick, D. T., & Agboola, O. (2020). Mechanical properties of end-of-life waste tyres steel fibre reinforced concrete: RSM-based modelling and optimisation. Journal of Civil Engineering Frontiers, 5(2), 41–48. https://doi.org/10.38094/jocef50189 jocivilef.org Egwuonwu, C. C., Arinze, R. U., Agbata, P. C., & Ike, V. C. (2021). Waste tire pyrolysis product: An alternative to petrochemical feedstock. Asian Journal of Physical and Chemical Sciences, 9(1), 40–50. https://doi.org/10.9734/ajopacs/2021/v9i130130. Egwuonwu, C. C., Arinze, R. U., Chukwuma, E.,(2023). Physical and heavy metal analysis of tyre-derived oil produced by a locally fabricated reactor. Environmental C.hallenges, 11, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envc.2023.100711. Elehinafe, F. B., Hassan, Y. J., Ebong-Bassey, Q. E., & Adesanmi, A. J. (2022). Review on disposal methods and environmental and economic impacts of scrap tyres in Nigeria. Automotive Experiences, 5(2), 103–110. https://doi.org/10.31603/ae.5634. Etefa, G., & Mosisa, A. (2020). Waste rubber tires: A partial replacement for coarse aggregate in concrete floor tile production. American Journal of Civil Engineering, 8(3), 57–63. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajce.20200803.12. Ezechi, O. C., & Agunwamba, J. C. (2020). A review and discussion of solid waste management in Nigeria: Its challenges and prospects. Journal of International Comparative Management, 21(4), 556–574. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/351818545_A_Review_and_Discussion_of_Sol id_Waste_Management_in_Nigeria_Its_Challenges_and_Prospect ResearchGate. Ezekiel, A., & Akinlabi, O. (2024). In Nigeria, a tyre never quite dies’: Reinventing the wheel in Lagos. The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/global- development/article/2024/jun/06/in-nigeria-a-tyre-never-quite-dies-reinventing-the- wheel-in-lagos. Ezeudu, O. B., Oraelosi, T. C., & Agunwamba, J. C. (2021). Co-production in solid waste management: Analyses of emerging cases and implications for circular economy in Nigeria. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 28, 52392–52404. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-021-14471-8 MDPI+2link.springer.com+2MDPI+2 Federal Ministry of Environment. (2022). Annual environmental report. [Government publication]. Harrison-Obi, C. N. (2019). Environmental impact of end-of-life tyres and the need for sustainable tyre disposal mechanisms in Nigeria. Journal of International Law and Jurisprudence, 10(2), 60–70. Heidari A., Younesi H. (2020). Synthesis, characterization and life cycle assessment of carbon nanospheres from waste tires pyrolysis over ferrocene catalyst. J. Environ. Chem. Eng.8(2) [Google Scholar. Ibrahim, M. T., Abimiku, J., & Konitufe, C. (2024). Effect of scrap tyre crumb rubber (STCR) and lime on the California Bearing Ratio (CBR) of non-lateritic soil. African Journal of Advances in Science and Technology Research, 15(1), 16–27. https://doi.org/10.62154/fckyd322 afropolitanjournals.com. Kaur, D. P., Lamba, P., & Raj, S. (2024). Using recycled waste tyres in concrete paving blocks. In Utilization of Waste Tyre Rubber as a Construction Material (pp. chapters). (Review work) Retrieved from ResearchGate. Mushunje, K., Otieno, M., & Ballim, Y. (2018). A review of waste tyre rubber as an alternative concrete constituent material. MATEC Web of Conferences, 199, https://doi.org/10.1051/matecconf/201819911003. Muzakkari, B. A., Bayero, A. S., Mohammed, M. I., & Singh, P. K. (2023). Waste tyres pyrolysis oil as alternative fuel and chemical source: a review. Zaštita Materijala. https://doi.org/10.62638/ZasMat1153 National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA). (2021). NESREA mandate and regulatory frameworks. In National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA). Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Environmental_Standards_and_Regulations_Enfo rcement_Agency. Nduka,J.K Chideraa Courage Offor, C.C., Kelle,H.I, and Okafor,P.C(2025). Exposure and comparative risk assessment of PAHs in dust from roadside solid surfaces in three semiurban areas of Eastern Nigeria. Environ. Sci.: Atmos. 5,831 Odedere, O. B., Olalekan, A. P., Fakinle, B. S., & Sonibare, J. (2019). Urban air pollution
More Articles from IIARD INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF GEOGRAPHY AND ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
Rural Migration and Industrial Development in Bayelsa State
Author: Adedoyin Oluwatoyin Omidiji, Imbazi Woyengitari PhD
Solid Waste Disposal and Management in Oyo Township
Author: Oyedemi Oyelekan Adeyemo
Mapping Flood-Exposed Road Segments from Freely Available Satellite Imagery During The 2022 Flood Season
Author: Oladimeji Basit Alaka,, Olayemi Bolaji, Ridwan Tiamiyu
Rerouting Behavior and Travel-Time Penalties Under Flood- Induced Road Closures
Author: Ridwan Tiamiyu,, Oladimeji Basit Alaka, Oluwabusola Ajayi
Loading and Unloading Activity at Informal Roadside Motor Parks and Its Effect on Arterial Traffic Flow
Author: Olayemi Bolaji,, Oluwabusola Ajayi