HOUSEHOLD WASTE MANAGEMENT PRACTICES AMONG RESIDENTS OF EWET HOUSING ESTATE, UYO, NIGERIA

Abstract

The danger that indiscriminate waste disposal poses to both human and the environment, has made its management a serious concern all over the world. This study investigated waste management practices among residents of Ewet Housing Estate, Uyo, Nigeria. The study adopted a survey research design. Three objectives and three research questions guided the study. The population for the study comprised of all the 1, 242 households in the Estate. Systematic random sampling technique was used to draw 180 respondents for the study. A structured questionnaire was used to elicit information from the respondents. The instrument was face validated and the reliability coefficient of 0.87 was obtained. Data collected was analyzed using percentages, mean and standard deviation and the results were presented on tables and chart. Findings revealed that different waste storage containers such as plastic containers with lid (3.38;), metal waste bins (2.82) amongst others were used for household waste collection; frequency of household waste disposal ranged from daily (22.8) to monthly (10.6) amongst others; while respondents used various methods such as land filling/burying (3.44), hog feeding (2.76) and others to dispose their household wastes. Based on the findings, the researchers recommend amongst others that households should always adopt the neatest/safest methods of waste disposal for environmental sustainability and aesthetic values.