ASSESSMENT OF HOUSEHOLD SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT PRACTICES IN SELECTED COMMUNITIES OF ABEOKUTA METROPOLIS, OGUN STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

Inadequate solid waste management remains an important environmental and public-health challenge in rapidly urbanized communities. This study assessed household solid waste management practices, disposal behaviours/ methods, environmental and residents’ perceptions, and reported factors affecting waste management practices in selected communities of Abeokuta Metropolis, Ogun State, Nigeria. A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 360 adult household residents from six selected communities in Abeokuta Metropolis. Sixty respondents were recruited from each community. Data were collected through self-reported structured questionnaires and face-to-face interviews. Information was obtained on household waste characteristics, storage, transportation, disposal practices, waste-collection services, environmental perceptions, and community participation.  Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and were based on self-reported questionnaire/interview responses. Food and vegetable residues were the most frequently reported waste type (91.1%), followed by paper/cardboard (80.8%) and plastics, bottles, and sachet materials (74.4%). Manual carrying was the predominant reported method of waste transportation (42.8%), followed by scavengers (24.4%). Burning was the most commonly reported disposal practice (55.0%)open dumping (25.3%). Waste collection was predominantly reported as monthly (48.3%). Waste accumulation (85.0%), flooding (75.8%), unpleasant odour (63.4%), and insect proliferation or disease outbreaks (62.5%) were among the commonly perceived consequences of poor waste management. Although 90.8% of respondents believed that environmental awareness could help reduce health implications, only 30.8% reported participating in community clean-up activities. Household solid waste management in the selected communities was characterized by inadequate collection, reliance on informal transportation, open burning, and indiscriminate open dumping. The findings support the need for improved collection services, source segregation and recycling, enforcement of environmental regulations, community participation, and environmental health education. Because the study was descriptive and relied partly on self-reported information.