Title: Generation and management of solid waste in Udu Local Government Area of Delta State, Nigeria

Authors: Jomata Lucky Igben; Celestina A. Ihayere; Eghosa Igun

Addresses: Department of Environmental Management and Toxicology, Western Delta University, Oghara, Delta State, Nigeria ' Department of Environmental Management and Toxicology, Western Delta University, Oghara, Delta State, Nigeria ' Department of Environmental Management and Toxicology, Western Delta University, Oghara, Delta State, Nigeria

Abstract: This study aimed to examine solid waste generation and disposal as problems of urbanisation in Udu Local Government Area of Delta State, Nigeria. Primary data utilised in the study were obtained from questionnaire administered on a sample selected through a multi-stage sampling technique. The first stage involved a purposive selection of three settlements in the study area. The second stage involved a systematic random sampling of 270 household heads. The questionnaire covered the typology of solid waste, disposal methods and community participation in waste management. This was complimented by physical examination of waste dumps and focus group discussion (FGD) with 15 selected community leaders. The study revealed that a variety of solid waste comprising of biodegradable (68.8%) and non-degradable (32.2%) are generated by households and are disposed in unsustainable ways; manifested by the heaps of refuse in public places and natural features such as riverbanks and forests. In addition, there is a very low level of communal participation in waste management as a result of urbanisation. The study recommends the planning and establishment of dumpsites, and education of the teeming population on the hazards of unsustainable disposal of solid waste.

Keywords: solid waste; dump sites; communal participation; sustainability; Delta State; Nigeria.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEWM.2022.120620

International Journal of Environment and Waste Management, 2022 Vol.29 No.1, pp.1 - 13

Received: 28 Feb 2019
Accepted: 22 Sep 2019

Published online: 31 Jan 2022 *

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