Waste Generation and Management Strategies
Chapter One
OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY
The objectives of this study include;
- know if there are strategies for managing waste generated in Uyo metropolis
- To determine if there is a significant relationship between waste generation and management strategy.
- Identify types of waste and their characterization in Uyo Metropolis.
- Evaluate the level of awareness (health, environmental and disposal) of waste in the study area.
- Assess the spatio-temporal frequency of waste generation in the study area.
- Evaluate current management practices of waste, in the study area.
- To suggest environmentally friendly management strategies for waste disposal in Uyo Metropolis.
CHAPTER TWO
REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE
INTRODUCTION
This chapter reviews the literature on waste generation and management strategies. It discusses issues arising from the topic of discuss as viewed from different perspectives, with a view of giving a theoretical and empirical foundation to the study.
LITERATURE REVIEW
Many authors have worked on waste generation in different countries. United States Environment Protection Agency (2007) observes that Americans generate 1.6 million tonnes of waste per year. The average home can accommodate as much as 100 Kilogrammes of waste in the basement and garage and in the storage of closets. During the 1980s many communities started special collection days or permanent collection sites for handling waste. In 1997, there were more than 3,000 waste permanent programs and collection events throughout the United States. Furthermore, the Cuyahoga County Solid Waste Management Plan (1994) of Ohio estimates that 10 tonnes of household hazardous wastes (waste) per person are generated annually. Extending that rate to the seven-county population of 2.8 million gives an estimate of 14,000 tonnes of household hazardous waste generated annually. Even if all those 14,000 tonnes are taken to special collection programs, the toxic ingredients still end up in hazardous waste landfills, hazardous waste incinerators or injected deep under the ground. None of the disposal methods is without environmental risk (Environmental Health Watch, 1998). Ademe (2000) observed that the total quantities of waste generated in France in 1998 amounted to about 41.4 million tonnes. They include mainly batteries and accumulators, striper, solvents and thermometer. It is estimated that around 50% of the waste are discarded annually in France through the normal waste collection system while the rest is collected through civic amenity centres. Also, Yasuda and Tanaka (2006), surveyed over 2000 households in Japan to investigate the characteristics of waste generation. They found that waste generated in terms of quantities and types vary with dwelling type in Japan
Buenrostro et al. (2007), in Mexico, did a study to determine the amount of waste generated in two Mexican regions, the Northern Region (bordering with the USA) and a Central Region. They examined consumption patterns and waste generation rates and concluded that the production of waste stream in both regions was influenced by income, local climate, migration patterns and marketing coverage. Various studies have been carried out by researchers to investigate the method of waste management. Some were aimed at waste disposal, collection facilities, and transportation. Schrab, Brown, and Donnelly (1993), and Kjeldsen, Barlaz, Rooker, Baun, Ledin, and Christensen (2002) found that waste is disposed of at landfill along with general household wastes and the amounts and significance of this disposal are poorly understood. It is assumed that the amounts of waste disposed are small and risks of disposal are negligible, and so disposal information is lacking or at best, unreliable and ambiguous. More so, the status of waste stream in the U.K contains 100,000 tonnes of waste, not including the bulkiest components of waste, i.e., Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) expected to be disposed off each year [(Slack et al., 2004), (Slack et al., 2005), (Slack et al., 2007), and (Burnley, Ellis, Flowerdew, Poll, Prosser, 2007)]. In Uyo Metropolis, there are no trained personnel, no special transport vehicle and any special waste drop-off centres for handling waste compared with cities of developed countries. For instance, Staple, Peterson, Parkerson and Adams (2005), have observed that in the city of San Antonio, all collected waste materials are handled and packaged for disposal by technically trained personnel and following collection, the transportation of all materials is performed by a licensed hazardous materials transporter. The method of disposal depends upon the type of material.
CHAPTER THREE
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
Research design
The researcher used descriptive research survey design in building up this project work the choice of this research design was considered appropriate because of its advantages of identifying attributes of a large population from a group of individuals. The design was suitable for the study as the study sought to a critical analysis of waste generation and management strategies
Sources of data collection
Data were collected from two main sources namely:
(i)Primary source and
(ii)Secondary source
Primary source:
These are materials of statistical investigation which were collected by the research for a particular purpose. They can be obtained through a survey, observation questionnaire or as experiment; the researcher has adopted the questionnaire method for this study.
Secondary source:
These are data from textbook Journal handset etc. they arise as byproducts of the same other purposes. Example administration, various other unpublished works and write ups were also used.
Population of the study
Population of a study is a group of persons or aggregate items, things the researcher is interested in getting information a critical analysis of waste generation and management. 200 residents of Uyo metropolis of Akwa Ibom State were selected randomly by the researcher as the population of the study.
CHAPTER FOUR
PRESENTATION ANALYSIS INTERPRETATION OF DATA
Introduction
Efforts will be made at this stage to present, analyze and interpret the data collected during the field survey. This presentation will be based on the responses from the completed questionnaires. The result of this exercise will be summarized in tabular forms for easy references and analysis. It will also show answers to questions relating to the research questions for this research study. The researcher employed simple percentage in the analysis.
CHAPTER FIVE
SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
Introduction
It is important to ascertain that the objective of this study was to ascertain a critical analysis of waste generation and management strategy.
In the preceding chapter, the relevant data collected for this study were presented, critically analyzed and appropriate interpretation given. In this chapter, certain recommendations are made, which in the opinion of the researcher will be of benefit in addressing the challenges of waste generation and management in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.
Summary
This study aimed at having a critical analysis of waste generation and management strategies. Seven objectives were raised. These objectives include:
- know if there are strategies for managing waste generated in Uyo metropolis
- To determine if there is a significant relationship between waste generation and management strategy.
- Identify types of waste and their characterization in Uyo Metropolis.
- Evaluate the level of awareness (health, environmental and disposal) of waste in the study area.
- Assess the spatio-temporal frequency of waste generation in the study area.
- Evaluate current management practices of waste, in the study area.
- To suggest environmentally friendly management strategies for waste disposal in Uyo Metropolis.
Conclusion
Based on the above findings pertaining to the objectives of the study the following conclusions are drawn.
The findings of this study leave nobody in doubt about the devastating effects of urban solid waste in Uyo as a result of inappropriate and inadequate management. We therefore posit that both the individuals and the government through AKSEPA have not made appreciable efforts to get and train the required manpower with technical skills and competences that would nip the ever-increasing solid wastes in Uyo urban in the bud through proper generation, disposal, control, sorting and other management strategies, and should the current state of affairs in handling wastes in Uyo urban continue, the resultant negative consequences will have multiplier effects on the present and future inhabitants of the area. Government is therefore advised to sit up and treat Uyo urban solid wastes with the seriousness they deserve if it must keep faith with protecting the environment and lives of people in the area
Recommendation
In line with the findings of this study and its implications, the following recommendations were therefore made:
- Akwa Ibom State Government through Akwa Ibom State should as a matter of urgent public importance, strengthen the already established department of Environmental and Public Health in the School of Health Technology and the Faculty of Environmental and Health Sciences, Akwa Ibom State University (Uyo by providing them with modern equipment including machines, for students to be exposed to practical methods of contemporary waste management.
- Akwa Ibom State Government should partner with foreign-based waste management firm under public-private-partnership (PPP) arrangement to commence operation in Uyo. Such firm should at least be a specialist in any waste management operation including; generation, sorting/separation, recycling and conversion. The firm shall be encouraged to collaborate with AKSEPA staff to complement the manpower needs. The firm apart from serving as a source of revenue to the government will also serve as a training centre for Industrial Training (IT) students. They can also employ graduates of health and environmental related courses as suggested in number one. Government can afford to donate free land to such firm as a mark of commitment and seriousness. The services of the private sector (firms) that will operate day and night to complement AKSEPA’s should be employed by the state government for the constant evacuation of the wastes to the permanent dumpsites that must be mapped out. The waste pulverization machines purchased by Akwa Ibom state should be leased to such firm for proper use. The waste management machines and/or plant should be stationed near the permanent dumpsites to be provided by the government.
- Akwa Ibom State government should as a matter of urgent public importance, provide permanent waste dumpsites that must be far from markets, schools, churches, commercial and residential areas. This will at least, reduce the dangers of communicable and other life threatening diseases. This should be immediately followed with public enlightenments, symposia, workshops and seminars to sensitize residents on the modalities for generation and disposal of their wastes in the must-mapped out waste collection centres that must be increased beyond the current provisions of the AKSEPA equipment. Defaulters should be prosecuted to imprisonment or sentenced without an option of fine to serve as deterrent to others.
- The landlords and other inhabitants of the state should be properly represented when planning for any waste minimization or management strategy
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