Introduction 

Waste management is a concern for the average Malian. In Bamako, the problem is becoming a matter of concern because of the lack of space allocated to refuse dumps, the lack of education about waste management, and the lack of material and financial resources. The banks of the River Niger in the city of Bamako are the last resort for the people of Bamako to dispose of their household waste. This article looks at this phenomenon, which is damaging the river and polluting the environment.

Origin of Waste Production 

The production of waste is a practice that dates back to the sedentarisation of man: the Neolithic period. The waste produced during this period was organic or non-degradable from the environment. The archaeological artefacts obtained from the ancient prehistoric workshop at Mamgnambougou in the River Niger nest is the most illustrative example. Today, with the industrialisation of the world, the main types of waste are plastic and non-degradable.

Causes of Waste Dumping in the River 

The causes of rubbish being dumped in the river in Bamako are: insufficient rubbish bins, lack of collection policies and equipment, rubbish dumping areas created by poor planning and urbanisation policies. Added to this is the problem of education and the laziness of some housekeepers, who throw rubbish into the gutters on their way to the river in the rain.

Methods of Depositing Rubbish in the River 

Rubbish is deposited in the river in two main ways: direct and indirect. The direct system consists of transporting the rubbish to the banks of the river. This is generally done at night, as the players are aware that the practice is bad. The indirect system is used during the rainy season. When it rains, housewives empty their bins, bags or family dumps into the surrounding gutters.

Consequences 

The consequences of depositing rubbish in the River Niger in Bamako are both environmental and man-made. It pollutes the water in the river, kills certain aquatic species, particularly fish, and narrows the riverbed. This encourages some residents to occupy these areas. In years of heavy rainfall, these areas flood, causing material and human losses.

Conclusion 

In this article, we have looked at the problem of rubbish dumping in the River Niger in Bamako. Through direct observation of the facts in the field and surveys of local residents, we have deduced that this practice is the result of several factors. These include problems of education, financial resources, awareness-raising, urban planning, and waste management policy in the Malian capital. We suggest that governments, collectives, non-governmental organisations, civil society organisations, and urban communities should all be involved in resolving this problem.

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