Knowledge, Attitude and Practice Survey of Source-Separation of Solid Wastes among Workers of a Tertiary Institution in Nigeria

Abstract

Source-separation is a solid waste management strategy which aids recycling. This concept is relatively new in Nigeria. The study therefore documented the Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of Source-separation among workers such as Non- Academic Staff and Business Operators at the University of Ibadan, Nigeria. A cross-sectional design was adopted. The non-residential areas of Student Union Building (SUB), Works Department (WD) and Faculty of the Social Sciences (FSS) were purposively selected with 180 business operators at the SUB and 168 Non-Academic Staff at the FSS and WD. A validated questionnaire was used to collect data on source-separation. Descriptive statistics was used to analyze data. Participants’ mean age was 30±8.9 years. Majority of the respondents in the locations SUB (72.6%) compared with WD and FSS (67.2%) had no knowledge of recycling. The attitude towards source separation and recycling especially at the SUB was very poor. At the SUB (94.4%) felt waste recycling was not necessary; compared to WD and FSS (53.0%). The practice of source-separation in all locations was very poor; Majority of the respondents at SUB (97.8%), WD and FSS (91.1%) do not separate their waste. The Knowledge, Attitude and Practice about source-separation of wastes were poor. Therefore, advocacy and training are needed to promote the adoption of source-separation in the institution.

Keywords: Source-separation, Waste Segregation, Recycling, Solid Waste Management, University of Ibadan