Impact of Styrofoam wastes generation to the environment using residents living in Ibadan Metropolis as a case study

Abstract

Styrofoam products are dominantly used in Nigeria for packaging of items such as foods, electronics and domestics. The use of Styrofoam is increasing and its impact to environment is now a major challenge. This study investigated the impact of Styrofoam wastes generation to the environment using Ibadan metropolis as a case study. A total of eighty (80) well structured questionnaires were administered to the consumers of Styrofoam products found within Ibadan metropolis. Ibadan has 11 local government areas in the metropolitan which consist of 5 urban local government areas in the city. 3 urban local government areas (Ibadan North, Ibadan South West and Ibadan North West) were adopted for the study based on these factors; commercialization, industrialization and population. Results reveal that male respondents that are still active youths within the 31- 40 years age bracket with secondary school certificate are dominantly involved in the activities (distribution and consumption) of Styrofoam in the studied areas. As recorded, high demand of Styrofoam waste (85%) was witnessed by respondents while 6.7 % of the Styrofoam wastes were openly disposed. Large quantities of used Styrofoam products were monthly derived as waste, which are either disposed in the open space or sold to other users. Most respondents by 66.7 % were not even aware that Styrofoam waste can still be reprocessed for the production of wood-based composite. Pearson chi-square revealed that educational qualification and year of experience are insignificant to the method adopted for disposal. It was realized that Styrofoam products are highly consumed in Ibadan and there is need for the government and other organizations to start generating income through the use of technological management. Apart from being used for adhesive, it can also be useful for the production of composite in the wood based industry, which can serve as carbon gases storage tank rather than climate destroyer.