Characteristics of Solid Waste Generated and their Storage Facilities in Jalingo, Taraba State, Nigeria

In recent years, managing solid waste has become one of Nigeria’s biggest problems, especially in metropolitan and semi-urban areas. The problem of waste generation, handling and disposal has reached a disturbing level in Nigerian urban centers. The study analyzed solid waste management practices in Jalingo, Taraba State, Nigeria. These were achieved through characterizing the types of solid wastes generated and ascertain the solid waste storage facilities of the study area. The majority of the information used in this study came from the distribution of a questionnaire, with additional information coming from oral interviews, direct field observations, and photographs of the subject area. Tables of frequencies and percentages were used to provide answers to the study questions. Tests of the relationship’s Pearson product moment correlation coefficient were conducted. The findings demonstrated that the majority of the solid waste generated in the study area was organic waste (53%). The storage facilities in the study area were dustbins, poly bags, refuse carts, and nearby refuse heaps. The Pearson product moment correlation coefficient analysis showed strong and significant differences between the solid wastes generated and sold waste storage facilities in the study area, with an alpha value of 0.05. The findings of this study showed that the characteristics of the solid waste generated are not in line with the storage facilities. This implies that not much attention has been given to solid waste management in the study area. The study also recommends public awareness to promote waste management practices; more government approved waste collection centers, awareness campaign on waste reduce, reuse, recycle and waste separation method in the study area.