An Assessment of Household Solid Waste Management Practices in Kontagora, Niger State

Abstract

This paper examined household solid waste management practices in Kontagora. The paper focused on the types of solid waste generated, their composition and quantity, the methods of solid waste storage and disposal practices, including the capacity of solid waste management agency in Kontagora. Data for the study were obtained from primary and secondary sources. The primary data were collected from a cross-sectional survey of 130 households using well-structured questionnaires. Secondary data were obtained from different published sources. The data obtained were analysed using descriptive statistics. The study found out that the composition and quantity of solid waste generated differ from one household to another according to their socioeconomic characteristics. The solid waste stream comprises biogradable and non-biogradable waste. The study also revealed that almost all the household temporarily store their waste before final disposal in open spaces, dump sites, roadsides, and drainages among others. The rate of generation of these waste have now defied all efforts of the waste management agency in Kontagora, due to inadequate equipment, funding, trained personnel, etc. The study recommends the promotion of integrated sustainable solid waste management (ISWM) procedures and community participation.