Food Processing Waste Management Practices and Environmental Compliance Among Beverage Companies in Ogun State

The beverage processing sector generates substantial volumes of liquid and solid waste that, if improperly managed, pose serious risks to soil, water, and public health. Ogun State, with its significant industrial belt attracting both large and medium-scale beverage manufacturers, presents an important context for examining waste management compliance. This study evaluated food processing waste management practices and environmental compliance among twelve registered beverage companies in Sagamu, Agbara, and Ota Industrial Estates in Ogun State. Structured facility audits, wastewater quality analysis, effluent monitoring, and review of Federal Ministry of Environment compliance records were conducted over six months. Wastewater samples were analysed for biochemical oxygen demand, chemical oxygen demand, total suspended solids, pH, and heavy metal content, compared against National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency discharge limits. Results showed that four of twelve companies maintained wastewater treatment facilities of adequate capacity. Mean biochemical oxygen demand in untreated effluents was 1,840 mg per litre, significantly exceeding the 30 mg per litre discharge limit. Two companies operated illegal drainage channels discharging directly into adjacent stream systems. Only three companies maintained comprehensive solid waste manifesting documentation. The study recommends immediate regulatory enforcement action against non-compliant facilities, investment in collective effluent treatment infrastructure, and quarterly environmental compliance reporting by all beverage processors in Ogun State. Keywords: waste management, beverage industry, environmental compliance, effluent, Ogun State.