Urban solid waste generation in Port Harcourt metropolis and its implications for waste management

Abstract

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the impact of rapid population growth due to uncontrolled and unplanned urbanization as it affects environmental degradation through solid waste generation in Port Harcourt Metropolis, which has brought about the problem of solid waste management to city authorities and state governmentDesign/methodology/approachThe study involved the administration of questionnaires to 76 different households with a total population of 393 persons giving an average size of 7 persons per household. Also, formal interviews with officials of relevant government departments as wells as private stakeholders in urban solid waste management were conducted. The questionnaires were designed to elicit information on the characteristics of the respondents and waste generation capacity as well as disposal methods. The data abstracted from the questionnaires were analysed using the multiple linear regression to test for the significant differences. The study period was between January 1999 to December 1999FindingsA total of 207.3 tonnes of solid waste was generated giving per capita annual waste generation rate of 0.53 tonnes equivalent to a waste generator rate of 1.45 kg of waste per capita daily. Analysis of solid waste composition was by land use types. The study showed that cartoons accounted for 16.1 percent, while papers and food remnants had 14.4 percent and 26.6 percent of total waste generated respectively.Practical implicationsAssist city dwellers tackle the problem posed by urban waste through provision of adequate infrastructure and social services.Originality/valueThe paper suggests continuous enlightenment programmes as well as employment of good technical services in the management of solid waste rather than the use of political will to tackle the problems. This work is original, as no such analysis has been carried out in Port Harcourt metropolis. The paper has provided data and knowledge upon which further research can be carried out.

Solid Waste Generation Rate in Ozamiz City, Philippines

“…The amount of waste could aggravate and may both be hard and expensive to manage. In this regard, the management capability of most of the solid waste management systems that may deal with the increasing volume of waste and its changing characteristics in almost all areas has to be necessarily enhanced due to overwhelming overpopulation and economic affluence (Ogbonna et al, 2007). A World Bank study showed that urban areas in Asia spent USD25 million per year on solid waste management, and this figure will increase to USD47 million per year.…”

“…Here, majority of the wastes were generated from household sources. Accounting for this could be the increasing rate of population growth and economic development in urban areas, which may lead to an increase in wastes generation (Ogbonna et al, 2007;Ramachandra & Bachamanda, 2007). The amount of waste could aggravate and may both be hard and expensive to manage.…”

Factors Influencing Wastivity in Small Scale Industries: A Case Study of Hubli-Dharwad

“…For an efficient and systematic management of wastes, the essential aspects and interaction between them must be identified and clearly understood. Thus, there is an immediate need to understand and tackle waste at firm, industry, corporation, regional, national and finally at global level (Nabegu 2010;Ogbonna 2007;Khalil & Khan 2009) …”

Solid Waste Management Trends in Nigeria

“…This introduction of private companies in waste management became necessary as a result of the degradation of the environment from inefficient waste management practices (Ogu, 2000). Ogbonna et al (2007) reported that in response to the enormous challenges pose by municipal solid waste management, the Government is taking steps to address these problems by engaging local contractors to evacuate waste. Ogu (2000) added that such steps were necessary in order to bring private sector investment into waste management and to enhance service delivery.…”