Investigation into Solid Waste Disposal and Management: A Case Study of Owo, Ondo State, Nigeria

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1 Investigation into Solid Waste Disposal and Management: A Case Study of Owo, Ondo State, Nigeria Imoukhuede Oladunni Bimpe Department of Agricultural and Bio-Environmental Engineering Technology, Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo, Ondo State, Nigeria Abstract Solid waste disposal and management has emerged as one of the greatest challenges facing environmental protection agencies in developing countries. Disposal of solid wastes on the roads, rivers and streets is the major problem contributing to pollution, environmental, social and health problems in the country. This study presents the investigation into the solid waste disposal and the management in Owo Township of Ondo State. Owo was divided into five (5) zones and both formal and informal interviews were conducted. From the data, 96.9% of respondents were not aware of household recycling activities in Owo while 3.1% were at aware and 14.7% recycles their solid wastes. Owo community plastic bag waste recycling Scheme (OPBWRS) was inaugurated and tested by investigating into the action and reaction of household to participate and support the scheme. 67.5% respondents are willing to sort out the solid waste for easy disposal or recycling, 74.8% preferred sorting recyclables into two bags while 25.2% preferred sorting into different bags. This study aims at providing solution into the problems of solid waste disposal and the management in Owo Township. Keywords: Solid Waste, Respondent, OPBWRS, Sorting, Recycling. Introduction Domestic solid waste is any unwanted solid materials from household activities that cause environmental, social and health hazards. Solid waste is generated from processing, marketing, storing and preparing food, other kinds of solid waste result from the normal processes of living. With the growing population at an alarming rate, coupled with technological advancement over time, waste disposal and management began to constitute serious problem to human race said Olufayo and Omotosho The problem of waste management in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, when combined with rapid urbanization and unplanned development is expected to be of such magnitude that significant reasons exist to initiate immediate action for improvement of this appalling situation, Momoh and Oladebeye, According to Ellis (1998) and Kamara (2006), household is defined as a social unit comprising people living in the same house with the aid of putting their income together for the management of their dwelling unit. The problem of solid waste has become outrageous as a result of the improper method of disposal, Taylor, L (2004). Oluwasola and Ogunsola (2008) said, there are size elements that constitute solid waste management system. The problem of solid waste disposal, especially in the urban centers has become one of the most intractable environmental problems facing urban management in Nigeria at present. Solid waste management has emerged as one of the greatest challenges facing state and local government environmental protection agencies in Nigeria (Ogwueleka, 2009). In the future, Nigeria wants to achieve not less than 80% reduction in the volume of municipal solid waste generate at all levels, it also wants to ensure environmentally sound management with an increasing population and rising land values (Oyinloye et al, 2013). Adesoji (2004) took a study of solid waste disposal in Ibadan, in his works, he discovered that various landfill sites and open dump sites in the town are mismanaged and these sites harbor disease carrying pathogens such as rat, cockroaches, mosquitoes, houseflies, fleas etc. these organisms find their way into various home and transmit diseases such as malaria fever, yellow fever, cholera, dysentery etc. From previous researches carried out, it is evident that most environmental, economic and health related problems in human and the environment can be attributed to the incidence of solid wastes (Ozoemene et al, 2014). Several studies have been conducted in order to examine the health and environmental effects arising from waste dumps (Sankoh et al, 2013). The UNEPA, 2006 stated that wastes that are not managed properly, especially solid wastes from household and the community are serious health ISSN: Page 173

2 hazard and lead to the spread of infectious diseases. Socio-economic factor which explains recycling behavior as housing tenure sometimes compiled with type of housing in household composition (Oskamp et al, 1991). In Owo, the government handles the environmental sanitation programme which takes place once in a month to keep the environment clean and live above sickness and diseases but once in a month cannot solve the problem of waste in Nigeria. Therefore, individual should arise to the disposal and management of their waste in order to live a sickness free life. This study therefore, attempts to assess the recent environmental sanitation problems in Owo, Ondo state, Nigeria with a view of finding probable solution now and the immediate future. Materials and Methods The research area for this study is Owo in Owo Local Government Area of Ondo State, Nigeria. Owo is bounded in the Noth by Emure-IseOrun Local Government area of Ekiti Sate, bounded in the East by Akure in Ondo State, in the South by Idanre Local Government Area of Ondo State and in the West by Ose Local Government Area of Ondo State. Owo lies on latitude N and Longitude E. It has a population of 253,061 in 2012 (NPC, 2006, Oyinloye et al, 2013). The map of Owo Local Government Area is shown in figure 1 below. Figure 1: Map of Owo Local Government showing eleven (11) wards Source: Oyinloye et al, 2013 Owo solid waste was divided into five (5) zones which are the North, East, West, South and the Central residential areas, (Momoh and Oladebeye, 2010). The data was gathered through oral interview and questionnaires. Example of a dump site in the study area is shown in figure 2below questionnaires were administered, 815 were completed and returned, the study covers major streets in Owo Township. Figure 3: Dumpsite in Folahanmi, Owo (East residential area) The residential areas in Owo Township in shown below in Table 1; Table 1: Residential Areas of Owo Township North South East West Central Uka Post office Poly, Owo Mobil First bank Owaluwa Oludaye Opomulero Ijebu Oludasa Ora Aralepo Folahanmi Iyere St. Andrew Iloro Owatowose Obasekola Idasen Ifesanmi Eyinogbe Igboroko Fasawe Ojomo Palace Descriptive statistical method was used to analyse the questionnaire data and statistical data analysis to find the relationship between the participation in recycling method type of waste generated and the method of waste disposal. Dumpsite (landfill) was also visited and samples of solid waste were collected and weighed. Results and Discussions The first part of the questionnaire obtained data on socio-economic characteristics such as educational level and employment status while the second part Tobacco ISSN: Page 174

3 gives information on residents participation and attitude towards solid waste recycling in Owo. The solid waste from landfill (Dump site) and their weight were shown in Table 2 below; Table 2: Solid waste form landfill (Dump sites) disposal and weight Materials Weight Percentage Metal Cotton Paper Sack Biodegradable Stone Nylon weight the highest percentage (35.6%) while biodegradable (4.7%) have the least. This means, people use nylon materials more than the other materials at the dump site and the recycling is easier while sorting. Table 3: Shows the Result of Socio-economic Characteristics of Respondents Variables Frequency Percentage Residential areas North South East West Central Sex Male Female Age Above Educational levels Primary school Secondary school Tertiary Education No education Figure 4: Pie chart showing the percentage of solid waste materials at the dump sites. Table 2, shows the type of materials at the dump sites in the residential areas of Owo Township, their weights and percentages. Figure 4, shows the pie chart describing the percentage per weight of each material. It was observed that nylon materials have Table 3 shows that 48.9% indicated that they obtain tertiary education and 14.5% were not educated. This shows that some of the respondents are scavengers which make their living from collection of wastes and it can lead to increasing the risk of infection. Then, the percentages of men interviewed are more than women with percentage 63.4% and 36.6% respectively. The age groups between years (57.8%) shows that people within this age group are ISSN: Page 175

4 more agile and educated, they also support the recycling of waste more than others since they understand the effect of waste disposal and management better. So also, those in tertiary level understand and are willing to support the recycling of waste scheme. In table 3 also, the male are willing and have the right attitude towards waste management (63.4%) than female (36.6%). The women prefer burning their waste in a nearby pit or throw them into the bush. Table 4: Household size of Respondents Household sizes per person Frequency Percentage More than Table 4 shows that number of household sizes per building which also determines to a large extent the volume of waste generated. The table indicates that 24.3% of the respondent have a household size of above 10 persons, while 26% have household size of 5 to 7, 20.5% is between 8 to 10 household sizes. However, 18.5% have household size of 1 2 and 10.6% of the respondents have household size of 3 4 persons. Household side of 5-7 persons supports the waste management process (recycling) than others, so others have to be re-oriented to safe guard our environment from disease outbreak. The study encompasses two socio-economic characteristics which are the educational level and employment status of respondents, income rate and housing types. Figure 5 above, described the data obtained on the employment status, income rate and housing types of respondents. 50.3% were employed, 24.7% selfemployed while 25.1% were unemployed (Applicants and students). From figure 5, the low level income status with 61.6% shows that the employment into the lower cadre is more than the higher cadre due to the cost or allocation by government. Also, the residential housing type (49.2%) have the highest percentage of response which means they are more than others and their solid waste are generated mainly in the residential areas. Those that were employed, supports the waste management scheme than the self employed and unemployed because there are lot of sensitization and awareness programmes in their place of work. Since the residential area is where people lives, therefore they are more susceptible to generating greater waste than commercial and institutional. Also, commercial and institutional waste can be collected and disposed to the appropriate authority for recycling purpose by their leader s mandate but residential housing type care less. So, much support for the recycling program is from the residential area because they made the decision to avoid health hazards. The attitude and involvement of the respondents to solid waste management (recycling) in Owo is shown in Table5 below. 3.1% claimed to be aware of recycling of the solid waste while 96.9% claimed not to be aware. This shows that the awareness of the solid waste management (recycling) is poor, also figure 6 indicated that 96.9% claimed not to have any information about the recycling of waste while few heard from media, friend and municipal. Figure 5: Socio-economic characteristics of respondents Figure 6: Awareness of Methods of Recycling in Owo. ISSN: Page 176

5 Table 6: Solid Waste Disposal Methods of Management (Recycling) Methods of Participation Frequency Percentages Compost Separated into recyclables Non recyclables Dumps recyclables in community bins No involvement Figure 7: Methods of collection of solid waste in Owo. Table 7: Frequency of solid waste collection and payment Solid collection (weekly) waste Frequency Percentage Once Twice Monthly payment for solid waste Frequency Percentage Yes No From table 6, 85.3% were not involved in the recycling program while 3.1% were participating in composting 4.9% in the separation of waste into recyclables and non-recyclables during collection and 6.7% believed in dumping the recyclables into community bins which shows that there is need for awareness for efficient participation to avoid the risk of germs and diseases. Table 7 shows that waste collection and disposal once in a week is more preferable (62.9%) for some respondents while other want twice in a week (37.1%) since this will enhance a clean and healthy environment. Some also believed that monthly payment for the removal of the household solid waste (3.1%) while some says no to payment (96.9%) because they do pay tax to the government, so the waste management vehicles should collect and dispose the waste at no cost. Some also disagree because the waste management vehicles only visit the core areas of Owo, so respondents have to dispose their waste individually so they don t want any cost attached. Figure 7, describes the method of waste collection, 78.9% wants individual/vehicle disposal to ease tension on waste disposal while 21.1% believe in self-disposal into the community waste bin to avoid payment on waste disposal. Participation in Owo Township Plastic Bag Waste Recycling Scheme (OPBWRS) The willingness and participation of respondents in OPBWRS was investigated in the course of this study, and it was observed from figure 8 that, 75.2% of the respondents are willing to partake of the recycling scheme while 24.8% are not willing, 67.5% want sorting of the waste into either recyclables or non-recyclables but 32.5% are not willing to support sorting of the waste for recycling purpose. Some said if bags are provided while some said if charges are affordable some of their reasons for not supporting the scheme is because of charges attached, it is time consuming and requires some effort, also, some of the vehicles are obsolete. OPBWRS Perspectives in Owo Figure 8: OPBWRS perspectives Plastics bags recyclables in Owo ISSN: Page 177

6 Table 8: preferred sorting and collection method by Respondents Preferred method Frequency Percentage Sorting Two bags Different bags Method of Collection Vehicles Municipal Recycling Company Dumping at dump sites Delivery to community Waste bin From figure 8, 61.6% are saying yes to the buying of waste plastic bags while 38.4% says no. some are of the opinion that different bags is tantamount to increase in changes by the waste management authority vehicles while those saying yes believe that it will be easier and not time consuming and no need of taking dust bins back home to percent disease infection. Also, 14.6% are willing to pay extra charges for the recyclables generated while 85.4% are not of the opinion. Those that supports no payment of extra cost are many and believe it is to their disadvantage, the extra cost is a big weight on them are they cannot afford to pay. They also believe it is their right since they pay taxes. Table 8 shows the preferred soring process and the methods of collection of waste by the respondents. 74.8% of the respondents preferred using two bags for their sorting while 25.2% did not prefer two bag due to the extra cost that will be added and time consuming. For the collection methods, 33.1% prefer that the company recycle since they know the best way to sort it to suit their purpose. Using of vehicles (12.5%), Municipal (10.4%), dumping at dump sites (19.5%) and delivery to community recycling bins (24.4%) are all to enhance a clean environment in Owo Township and avoid the risk of health hazard. Conclusion The study shows that different solid waste materials were generated in Owo Township, these wastes can be recycled using different methods and the willingness to participate and support the usage of OPBWRS was tested. It was observed that the employed, middle aged and those in the tertiary education status are of the opinion that waste should be sorted and recycled. Some residential area such as the South, North and West take burning as their best way of waste disposal, the East dweller use direct disposal as their method of waste disposal due to availability of bush around them. The people form the central prefer the use of pit. Since it is located around them. The participation and willingness to but waste bags for recyclables and non-recyclables is of no significance. 75.2% of the respondents are willing to participate and support the OPBWRS. Householders must be educated about solid waste management through different media, Waste management authority should focus more on waste disposal and management and also take into consideration the aftermath effect on the community and adequate provision of recycling facilities should be put in place by the government and companies. References 1) Adesoji, A. O (2004). Solid Waste Management Problems in Ibadan, Wiser Publication Ltd, Ibadan. 2) Ellis, F (1998). Peasant Economics: Farm Households and Agrarian Development, Wye Studies Agricultural and Rural Development, Cambridge University Press, U. K 3) Kamara, J. A (2006). Household Participation in Domestic Waste Disposal and Recycling in the Tshwane metropolitan Area: An environmental Education Perspective. MED Thesis, Department of Environmental Education, University of South Africa. 4) Momoh, J. J and Oladebeye D. H (2010). Assessment of Awareness, Altitude and willingness of People to participate in Household Solid Waste Recycling Programme in Ado- Ekiti, Nigeria. Journal of Applied Sciences in Environmental Sanitation, Vol. 5, No. Pp ) National Population Commission (NPC), (2006) 6) Ogwueleka, T. Ch. (2009). Municipal Solid waste characteristics and Management in Nigeria. Iran Journal of Environment, Health Science and Engineering, Vol. 6, No. 3, Pp ) Olufayo, O and Omotosho, B. J (2007). Waste Disposal and Waste Management in Ado Ekiti, Nigeria. The Journal of Social Science Vol. 2, No. 2, Pp ) Oluwasola, E. A and Ogunsola, A. O (2008) Assessment of Solid waste management in Osun State. A case study of Ohogbo. Proceedings of 4 th Engineering Forum, federal Polytechnic, Ado-Ekiti, October, Pp ) Oskamp, S. H, Edwards, T. C Sherwood D. L, Okuda, S. M and Swnason, D. C (1991). Factors Influencing the Household Recycling Behavior. Journal of Environmental and Behaviour, vol. 23 (3), pp ) Oyinloye, M. A and Tokunbo, M. F (2013) Geo-information for Urban Waste Disposal and Management: The Case Study of Owo LGA, Ondo State, Nigeria. The International Journal of Engineering and Science (IJES). Vol. 2, Issue 9, Pp ISSN : ISSN (p): ) Ozoemene, M. L; Obienusi, E. A and Ezenwaji E. E (2014). Evaluation of Domestic Solid Waste Disposal in Two Selected Housing Estates in Akwa, Anambra State (Case Study of Udoka and Real Estates) Journal of Environment ISSN: Page 178

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