Solid Waste Management Practices and Risk Factors in Orji, Imo State, Nigeria

Obinna I. OKEKE, Ayomiposi O. AKINKUOLIE, Amarachi N. UGWUJA

Department of Biology, Adeyemi College of Education, Ondo, Ondo State, Nigeria

Corresponding Author:

email: okekeoi@aceondo.edu.ng

Accepted on July, 28, 2020

 

Abstract

The study to assess the impact of solid waste management practices and risk factors in Orji, Imo State, Nigeria was carried out to identify the solid waste management practices predominant in the area and their risk factors. Data for this study were collected using questionnaires distributed to 200 respondents and waste dumpsites were also visited. The respondents were selected using random sampling technique. The study was a cross-sectional descriptive study and the study area was categorized into groups. The questionnaire focused on information such as types of waste generated, methods for waste collection, treatment, disposal and possible impact of waste disposed on the environment and residents. The result for the type of waste generated indicated that 91.0% of the respondents identified kitchen/organic waste as the major waste generated and the least generated waste items were medical waste with 39.5%. The result for the waste management practices showed that the respondents do not sort waste, practice open dumping and do not dispose waste immediately. The result also showed that the respondents indicated that waste breeds vectors which also frequent houses. The type of diseases associated with the waste management practices according to the respondents include: malaria, food/water borne diseases, skin infections and respiratory disorder. The study concluded that wastes are not properly managed in the area and the practices have environmental and health risk implications. It is recommended that waste should be properly managed and dumpsites be properly located to minimize its effects on humans and the environment. Keywords: Solid waste, solid waste management, risk factors.

 

Download article here