SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT

This study examines the solid waste management practices in Sapele, the challenges hindering effective waste management, the role of the local government, and residents' attitudes toward waste disposal. A descriptive survey research design was adopted, allowing for data collection from a
representative sample without manipulation. The study population comprised residents aged 18 to 65 years who are directly involved in waste generation, collection, disposal, and management. A total of 490 respondents participated in the study, and data were collected using a self-structured questionnaire. The analysis was conducted using mean and standard deviation. Findings indicate that while waste collection services are available, unsustainable practices such as illegal dumping and open burning persist. A significant gap exists in waste segregation, recycling, and composting due to inadequate public awareness, poor infrastructure, and weak enforcement of waste regulations. The local government plays a vital role in waste management; however, challenges such as insufficient waste bins, ineffective penalties, and limited funding hinder progress. Despite these challenges, residents exhibit a positive attitude toward waste management, recognizing its importance and expressing willingness to participate in community clean-up efforts and pay for waste
collection services. The study recommends a multi-faceted approach to improving waste management in Sapele, including increased investment in infrastructure, stricter enforcement of waste disposal regulations, expansion of recycling programs, and intensified public awareness campaigns. Strengthening collaboration between government agencies, private waste management firms, and local communities is essential to developing a more sustainable and efficient waste management system. These findings have significant implications for environmental and safety education, highlighting the need for integrating waste management strategies into school curricula, fostering
community-based environmental programs, and promoting sustainable waste management practices for long-term environmental sustainability.

This study investigated impediments to solid waste management in Benin Metropolis. Impediments are those factors that hinder solid waste management, it was aimed at ascertaining the relationship between segregation, storage, collection, transportation, and disposal stage of solid waste as it affects solid waste management. Seven (7) research questions guided the study, alongside one hypothesis and tested at a 0.05 level of significance. The descriptive survey research design was used in the study. The study population comprised one hundred and sixteen (116) registered solid waste management companies operating within
the three Local Government Areas that constitute Benin Metropolis. Sample sizes of seventy (70) registered solid waste management companies, representing sixty percent (60%) of the population, were selected using the multi-stage sampling technique (stratified, proportional and simple random sampling techniques). Data were collected using two research instruments: a structure questionnaire and a checklist. The structured questionnaire and the checklist were validated by the researcher’s chief and co supervisor ant three others. The questionnaire reliability was determined through the test-retest method and analyzed using the Pearson Product Moment Correlation, yielding a reliability coefficient of 0.73. However, the checklist was not subjected to reliability test. Descriptive statistics (frequency counts, percentages, means, and standard deviations) were employed to analyze the research questions, while inferential statistics (ANOVA) was used to test the hypothesis