CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1. BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

Efficiency in solid waste management (SWM) is actively pursued in developed countries, however, the same may not be said of their developing counterparts, where inadequate access to funds, weak institutional framework, lack of access to appropriate technology, little staff encouragement, emergence of less environmental compatible products, unending change in consumption trend, etc., continue to hinder meaningful pursuance and attainment of sustainable efficiency in the sector (Oteng- Ababio, 2011).

A significant portion of municipal expenses (up to 40%) goes into the provision of SWM services in developing countries, making it one of the singly expensive sectors, paradoxically, the expenses are not commensurate with the services rendered as they remain poor and ineffective. Funds mostly available are in insufficient quantity to enable efficient service provision by local governments saddled with this responsibility. In addition to this is the challenge of inadequate and inappropriately located waste disposal points, as well as introduction of foreign technology (especially waste collection machinery), again SWM methods that are often locally incompatible due to different conditions and requirements under which they have been originally developed (UN-HABITAT, 2010). Dumping of solid waste in highly inappropriate places like middle of roads and unauthorized disposal sites are common practices in many developing countries (Igbinomwanhia, 2011). The solid waste management scenario in most developing countries are similar, Nigeria inclusive.

The problems of solid waste management dates back to antiquity. In Athens Greece, records between 500-300 BC showed that solid waste posed such tremendous challenges that there was promulgation of laws prohibiting littering rubbish in the streets as well as regulations stipulating the minimum distance which haulers are permitted to move beyond the city wall before disposing of solid waste (Bilitewski, 2012). The need for proper collection, adequate treatment and sanitary disposal of solid waste by man arose as populations migrated from disperse geographical areas into communal living. Waste generation, both domestic and industrial, continues to increase globally in tandem with growth in population and consumption patterns of towns and cities. Based on available literature it has been confirmed that if current trends continue, the world may see a five-fold increase in waste generation by the year 2025.

Rapid urbanization, industrialization, and consequent collapse of solid waste management of cities are a global phenomenon and Nigeria is not left out (Okalebo, 2014). In Nigeria, solid waste generation ranges from 0.44 to 0.66 kg per capita per day and up to 25 million tons per annum, with household and commercial centers contributing about 10% of total urban waste burden (Nkwocha, 2011). Municipal waste density in the Country falls within the range 280 to 370 kg/m. It has also been reported that roughly two thirds of these wastes are dumped indiscriminately on the streets and in the drains thus posing serious environmental health hazards (Ogola, 2011). This scenario is worsened by the report by Nabeguin a study on municipal solid waste in Kano metropolis Nigeria that households are mostly interested in receiving effective and dependable waste collection services within their immediate vicinity, and cared less about the broader environmental solid waste disposal techniques thus disposing waste in unauthorized places.

Efforts by state and local environmental protection agencies in Nigeria to completely get streets and neighborhoods rid of indiscriminate wastes have not achieved the much desired success. (Puopiel, 2014). This inefficiency has been linked to inadequacies in the waste management system. Results from the structural time-related model by Nkwocha et al., on evaluating the efficiency of solid waste collection services in Owerri Nigeria reported about 61% efficiency in waste collection in the Municipality. The interpretation is that out of the total quantity of waste generated in Owerri, 39% were left to accumulate in various parts of the town with its attendant negative impacts.

1. STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

Most human activities naturally result in the generation of waste. As this is an unavoidable event in day to day living, there is need for waste generated to be managed. How this may be efficiently done poses a problem in many societies today. Another natural process, population growth, makes waste management even more challenging; more people in a specific geographic location would imply higher level of waste generation, hence more waste to contend with in that area. As poorly managed wastes are perceived as environmental hazards of high significance, the inabilities of societies to manage waste generation effectively play no small role in increasing extant environmental pressures (Alam, Chowdhury, Hassan, Karanjit, & Shrestha, 2007).

The challenge that derives from the generation of waste is not just coping with the volume, but also its composition and having the ability to design and accomplish its management in an efficient and sustainable manner; waste should be disposed of in a safe way which takes into cognizance the health of environment and that of the public, while ensuring non detrimental effects on generations to come (Ali, Cotton, & Westlake, 1999). While in developed parts of the world, sustainability encompasses ensuring that future generations are not negatively affected by environmental choices made today; for most developing countries, attention rather lies on what can be currently gained from such choices, especially from the socio- economic standpoint (Khatib, 2011).

1. AIM AND OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

The aim of the study is to investigate the refuse disposal pattern among the people of Owerri municipal.

Specifically, the study seeks to:

1. Evaluate the level of efficiency in the control and management of  waste in Owerri municipal
2. Examine whether the inhabitants of Owerri are aware of the implications of indiscriminate disposal of waste
3. Examine the effects of indiscriminate wasted disposal in Owerri municipal
4. Identify various techniques the environmentalists/policy makers could help in changing human behavior towards proper waste disposal

1. RESEARCH QUESTIONS

The following research questions will be addressed in the study as presented below:

1. What is the level of efficiency in the control and management of waste in Owerri municipal?
2. Does the inhabitants of Owerri are aware of the implications/effects of indiscriminate disposal of waste?
3. What are the causes of indiscriminate wasted disposal in Owerri municipal?
4. What are various techniques the environmentalists/policy makers could help in changing human behavior towards proper waste disposal?

1. RESEARCH HYPOTHESIS

H0 there is no significant relationship between refuse disposal pattern and the people of Owerri municipal

H1 there is significant relationship between refuse disposal pattern and the people of Owerri municipal

1. SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

The study would be beneficial to the government at both Federal and State levels through their various ministries like Environment Health, Education and Information in the area of policy formulation especially educating the public. Moreso, to formulate laws that will promote human health and protect the environment.

The information will go a long way in helping the teacher, especially the adult educator, environmental educators and health educators for them to emphasize the link between good health and clean environment to the school public.

1. SCOPE OF THE STUDY

This study focuses mainly on the investigation of the refuse disposal pattern among people in Owerri municipal, specifically; the interest of the study will be restricted to the Owerri municipality, due to time and finance constraints. Thus, the investigation of the study will be conducted within Owerri municipal and the focus of the will be to the citizens of Owerri municipal.

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.

1.9 DEFINITION OF TERMS

Health

Health is a state of physical, mental and social well-being in which disease and infirmity are absent.

Environmental health

Environmental health is the science and practice of preventing human injury and illness and promoting well-being by identifying and evaluating environmental sources and hazardous agents.

Waste management

Waste management is the collection, transport, processing or disposal of waste materials, usually ones produced by human activity, in an effort to reduce their effect on human health or local aesthetics or amenity.

Public health

Public health has been described as "the science and art of preventing disease, prolonging life and promoting health through the organized efforts and informed choices of society, organizations, public and private, communities and individuals." It is concerned with threats to the overall health of a community based on population health analysis. 

Behavior change

Behavior change can refer to any transformation or modification of human behavior. It may also refer to: Behavior change (public health), a broad range of activities and approaches which focus on the individual, community, and environmental influences on behavior.