CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1. BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

It is widely accepted that the management of solid waste is a global problem. This problem is even more pronounced in developing countries such as Nigeria where solid waste management is a major concern. Adeyemi et al, (2001) observed that solid waste constitute a major problem in most developing countries. Adeyemi added that waste management is one of the most intractable problems facing city administrators and environmental agencies.

Ogwueleka, (2009) reported that solid waste management is by far one of the greatest challenges facing environmental bodies in the country. As a result of the management challenges, Adefemi and Awokunmi, (2009) reported a breakdown of law and order in relation to waste management.

They observed that urban centres are experiencing an increased rate of environmental deterioration as a result of indiscriminate dumping of solid waste. Omuta, (1987) noted that one notable flaws in waste management administration in developing countries is the unavailability of a proper waste management policy.

His view is that for waste management to work, various aspects of Government services such as engineering, urban planning, Geography, economics, public health and law among others must be brought together under a proper policy to deliver an effective waste management system.

Ogwueleka (2009) argues that some of the approaches used in tackling the waste problems in Nigeria have recorded very little success. He observed that, the approaches do not distinguish the different needs and diversities of the different cities in the country. He added that these approaches are capital intensive and bureaucratic.

The exponential increase in industrialization is not only consuming large areas of agricultural land but simultaneously causing serious environmental degradation. Industrialization and urbanization have resulted on discharge of large wastes is rich in organic matter as well as in nutrients.

There are enormous quantities of industrial solid organic wastes available outside the farm from different sources and they are yet to be used judiciously in crop production. If, these wastes are properly disposed so that it do not contribute to the problem of pollution.

Waste is defined as discarded material which has no value in normal use or for ordinary use. Solid wastes are those undesirable, useless and unwanted materials and substances that comes from human and animal activities. Waste is any unavoidable material resulting from domestic activity or industrial operation for which there is no economic demand and which must be disposed of. (Uchegbu, 2002). Waste is also conceived as any unwanted material.

Waste is also defined as materials which though may no longer be needed here may become feed stock or raw material elsewhere. Wastes do not, therefore, altogether apply to worthless substances. Wastes are generally categorized into solid and liquid waste, which are materials discharged in household dustbins, flushdown toilets and chemical processing.

Several authors (Isirimah, 2002; Gobo and Ubong, 2001; Ucheghu,2002) have agreed that household wastes include: bottles, vegetable trimmings, cans, plastics, sludge and sewage, garbage, rubbish, large waste from homes such as old furniture. food wastes, paper, cardboard, textiles, leather, yard wastes, wood, glass, tins, aluminum, rags, beddings, feaces, urine etc.

Hazardous wastes are characterized mainly by their properties like ignitability, corrosivity, reactivity, toxicity and persistence. These wastes pose a substantial danger to our health and environment. Due to their distinct properties and by way of ingestion, inhalation, contact etc. they affect human beings adversely.

The Hazardous Wastes (Management and Handling) Rules, 1989 (as amended in 2003) envisage a proper mechanism for handling, treatment and disposal of the Hazardous Wastes. Under the Rules it is the responsibility of the individual industries to collect, store, transport & dispose of the industrial solid & hazardous wastes.

With the increase in number of industries and the consequent rise in the industrial output the industrial waste generation also has increased. The main industrial sectors that are generating hazardous wastes in the U.T. are those manufacturing chemicals, pharmaceuticals, Paints/ Pigments, Electronics, Engineering, Textiles, Tiles, Distilleries and Waste re-processing units. Certain processes like electroplating generate more hazardous wastes

1. STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

Waste generation is a natural outcome of many of the human activities. Generation of wastes is inevitable. The management of wastes assumes importance in view of the environmental hazards they pose.

Efforts to manage wastes in the area is continuously overwhelmed by the ever-increasing population of residents, increased levels of economic activity, and reduced funding from central government.

As a result, incompetence and low service coverage characterize the waste collection and disposal system. Most of the time, the services are not on schedule and are only provided in crucial areas such as marketplaces, upscale residential areas, and politically sensitive areas. Finally, several research has been carried out on public and environmental health effect of plastic waste but not even a single research has been carried out on the effects of non-degradable waste in Obio/Akpor local government area of Port Harcourt.

1. AIM AND OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

The aim and objectives of the study is to determine the effects of non-degradable waste. Other specific objectives of the study include:

1. to determine the causative factors of poor disposal of non-biodegradable waste.
2. to determine the effect of non-degradable waste on the health of the people.
3. to determine the methods of safe disposal of non-degradable waste in Obio/Akpor local government area of Port Harcourt.
4. to proffer possible solutions to the problems.
   1. RESEARCH QUESTIONS

1    What are the causative factors of poor disposal of non-biodegradable waste?

1. What is the effect of non-degradable waste on the health of the people?
2. What are the methods of safe disposal of non-degradable waste in Obio/Akpor local government area of Port Harcourt?
3. What are the possible solutions to the problems?
   1. RESEARCH HYPOTHESIS

Ho:  There is no significant effect of non-biodegradable waste in Obio/Akpor.

Hi:   There is a significant effect of non-biodegradable waste in Obio/Akpor.

1. SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

The study on the effect of non-biodegradable waste will be of immense benefit to the entire Obio/Akpor local government area of Port Harcourt in the sense that it will enable the government to carry out an intensive public sensitization and education of the people about the effects of the accumulation of waste in the environment. This is noticed that most of the poor waste management acts are due to ignorance of the people about the long term effect of these materials in the environment.

Basing on the laws and policies put in place to control the production of waste, there is need to strongly implement them as this is one of the weakness the national policy implementers have. Finally, the study will contribute to the body of existing literature and knowledge to this field of study and basis for further research.

1. SCOPE OF THE STUDY

The study on the effect of non-biodegradable waste is limited to Obio/Akpor local government area of Port Harcourt.

1. LIMITATION OF THE STUDY

TIME CONSTRAINTS: One the challenges experienced by the researcher is the issue of time; the research will simultaneously engage in departmental activities like seminars and attendance to lectures. But the researcher was able to meet up with the deadline for the submission of the project.

FINANCIAL CONSTRAINTS: Every research work needs funding; however lack of adequate funds might affect the speed of the researcher in getting materials for completion of the project.