Solid Waste Management in Owerri Municipality and its Immediate Environs

In recent years, there has been a tremendous increase in solid waste generation, resulting to the heaps of refuse along major streets and roads in most cities of Nigeria, and other developing countries. The need to control this ugly situation and make our environment pristine, healthy and supportive prompted this work. The study involved gathering of field information to reveal the major types and sources of solid wastes, their modes of management and the environmental and health implications. To direct the study, two research questions and one hypothesis were formulated. The instrument used was a questionnaire which was administered to 836 respondents selected from 8 streets in Owerri Municipality and 2 satellite communities (Amakohia and Orji in Owerri North LGA). The findings showed the major components of solid waste generated to be biodegradable (62%) with the major source being markets (44%), while the predominant management method was open dumping system (46%). Majority of the respondents (88.4%) indicated awareness of the adverse health and environmental impacts of improper solid waste management. Generally, the waste management methods adopted were found to be ineffective and an integrated waste management system is therefore advocated.