Status of Solid Waste Management Practices in Sapele, Delta State, Nigeria

Abstract

Solid waste has caused several health and environmental issues in most regions of the world, including Nigeria. The objective of this study is to assess the status of solid waste management practices in Sapele, Delta State, Nigeria using standard methods after administering 300 questionnaires through personal contact with heads of household. According to the findings, 93.3% of respondents are economically active between the ages of 31 and 60, meaning they have the purchasing power to consume and so generate garbage. Organic waste/food waste had the highest percentage of 96.7% followed by plastic (90%), paper waste (80%), textile and glass waste (76.7%), and metal waste (50%) and other waste (16.7%). The use of waste baskets (56.7%) appears to be the principal means through which respondents collects their household waste followed by plastic bags (53.3%), drums (36.7%) while (6.7%) use cartons in Okpe Road. 40% of respondents dispose wastes in open dump, 26.7% use Delta State Environmental Protection Agency (DSEPA), 20% use open burning/incineration, 13.3% indicated the absence of waste management agency in the study area. About 43.3% of respondents said the condition of the environment in Sapele has been a little better in the last five years, 13.3% said it has gotten much better, 23.3% said it has stayed the same, and 10% said waste disposal is a little worse and much worse. Sapele people require health education, a consistent supply of garbage collection facilities, and authorized final disposal locations. These will urge them to follow proper and suitable waste management methods.