Full Project – EVALUATION OF COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION IN SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT IN NORTHERN STATE

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CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.0 Background of the study

Rapid population growth, urbanization, and an improved standard of living have created a slew of environmental problems, particularly in our cities. Solid waste management is one of these environmental concerns (SWM). Changes in consumption patterns brought about by the introduction of new resources have resulted in a rise in the number and complexity of solid wastes (SW).

Solid waste is any substance generated by home, commercial, or industrial operations that has no value to the people who own it and is thrown as worthless. Waste management was not a problem in the early days because habitations were scarce and land was available. Waste management became a challenge with the development of towns and cities, as huge populations began to gather in relatively confined regions in search of livelihoods (Shafiul et al, 2003).

Solid waste may also be defined as undesirable or non-useful solid materials created by residential, industrial, and commercial operations in a specific region. It can be classified according to its source (household, industrial, commercial, construction, or institutional); its composition (organic material, glass, metal, plastic, or paper, for example); or its danger potential (toxic, non-toxin, flammable, radioactive, infectious etc).

The American solid waste act (1963) defines solid waste as rubbish, refuse, and other wasted items, which includes materials generated by all types of land uses. According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, solid waste is any undesired or abandoned substance that does not contain enough liquid to be freely flowing. Similarly, solid waste is defined as any non-liquid or non-gaseous item that is disposed (Miller, 1994).

The problems associated with SWM, which are frequently the result of improper disposal by community members and their inability to understand the consequences of their actions, resulted in the development of solid waste management practices that include source segregation, waste storage, collection, transportation, and final disposal of waste in an environmentally sustainable manner. Solid waste management is one of those tasks that requires community involvement to succeed.

Individuals and families accept responsibility for their own health and welfare, as well as the health and welfare of the community, and acquire the capacity to contribute to their own and the community’s growth. They have a better understanding of their own circumstances and are inspired to work together to resolve their common difficulties. This empowers individuals to act as agents of their own development rather than passive recipients of development assistance. Residents are accountable as consumers on an individual basis. This includes measures such as properly storing garbage in a bag or bin, separating recyclable or organic items from other waste, depositing waste in the suitable location and at the appropriate time for collection, and cleaning the area surrounding the residence. Apart from individual accountability, individuals can exercise collective accountability through more or less structured activities such as meetings, clean-up efforts, and awareness-raising activities. Additionally, community engagement may entail material, physical, and financial contributions to solid waste management operations, such as volunteering as a cart operator or sweeper or paying fees for trash management activities.

Waste management in Bauchi metropolis is performed in three stages by different agencies. Bauchi state environmental protection agency (BASEPA) manages the waste at the metropolitan level while community based organizations or trade unions in collaboration with BASEPA take care of the waste at community level. The community members are in charge of the waste management at the lowest level which is the household level. However the management at the metropolitan and the community levels has not been efficient, as more and more new heaps of solid waste emerged in residential areas in addition to the old ones that have refused to disappear. Recently farmers have begun to reject the municipal solid waste, which was highly patronized as organic manure, but now complaining that it contains high proportion of indecomposable materials e.g. leather and plastics and injurious objects e.g. broken bottles, sharp objects ( Bogoro A. et al 2012).

In Nigeria, the federal ministry of environment has recently reaffirmed its commitment towards municipal solid waste management by establishing six solid waste processing plants for recycling plastics and scrap metals to promote waste management in the country. Fortunately, Bauchi metropolis is picked as the center for the north–east zone. The project aims at collating all the plastics within the benefiting states to turn them in to pellet that can serve as raw materials for plastic industries. In line with the federal government programme, Bauchi state government, on its own part, has recently purchased two machines for leather recycling with aim of creating employment for the teeming youth; this will in turn improve the environmental quality and increase the aesthetic nature of the metropolis.

The emergence of new heaps of solid waste in our residential areas in addition to the notorious old ones that have refused to disappear is a call for new and radical sustainable strategies for solid waste management. It was reported that about 50% of solid waste generated in developing countries is not collected for onward disposal, this has continued to block the drainages which led to flooding, and creating breeding ground for insects that spread different kinds of diseases, heaps dumped on the road obstructs smooth flow of both human and vehicular traffic (Zurbrugg,

2003). Also about one-third to half of the solid waste generated in most cities of low and middle-income countries are not collected. They usually end up as illegal dumps on streets, open spaces and waste land (Ogu, 2000).

Globally, the continues need for studies on urban environmental problems, especially urban solid waste management cannot be over emphasized because despite many workshops, symposia, seminars, and researches on solid waste management, still more and more new heaps of solid waste emerged on the surface of residential areas of Bauchi metropolis. It is hoped that the success of this research would proffer a sustainable and efficient solid waste management strategy for Bauchi metropolis and other cities with a view to integrate them into the conventional process of solid waste management so as to achieve a healthy and clean living environment for all.

―Environmental issues are best handled with the participation of all concerned citizens, on a relevant level. On a national basis, each individual should have appropriate access to information concerning the environment that is held by public authorities, including information on hazardous materials and activities in their communities, and the opportunity to participate in decision-making processes. States should facilitate and encourage public awareness and participation by making information widely available. Effective access to judicial and administrative proceedings, including redress and remedy should be provided‖ (Stockholm, 1972).

1.1 Statement of the Problems

Over the years solid waste management has become a major problem in Bauchi metropolis due to the fact that members of community are involved in indiscriminate dumping of refuse and their inability to see waste as a resource. It’s estimated that 286 metric tons of household solid waste are generated every day and out of this only 184 (62.41%) metric tones are evacuated daily, leaving 102 (37.39) metric tons uncollected ( Bogoro, et al 2012). This has resulted in littering, heaping of waste and overflowing of skips with waste in the metropolis. The recent use of polythene materials by members of the community for packaging has seriously aggravated the situation. Thus, if the situation is left unchecked it would affect both the quality of the environment and human health.

In view of the increasing complexity of solid waste management in the metropolis, there is a need for community participation. Therefore, the study would evaluate the community participation in solid waste management, with a view to recommend a better approach that would help in keeping the metropolis clean.

1.2 Research Question

1. What are the stakeholders in charge of solid waste management?
2. How willing are the communities to participate in solid waste management?
3. What is the level of community satisfaction with the way solid waste are collected and managed?

1.3 Aim and objectives

Aim

To Evaluate Community Participation in solid Waste Management in Bauchi Metropolis

Objectives

1. To determine the stakeholders in charge of solid waste management in the metropolis.
2. To determine the willingness of a Community to Participates in the Solid Waste Management in the metropolis.
3. To determine the level of satisfaction with the way solid waste are managed in the metropolis.

1.4 Justification of the Study

Solid waste management has become a major development challenge in Bauchi metropolis in recent times. This deserves not only the attention of the state government or private waste management companies but also concerns of corporate organizations and individuals to find a lasting solution to the problem. This is because, vital human resource could be lost through poor waste management and this will affect productivity in the Metropolis. The study therefore intends to explore appropriate strategies and recommendations in engaging community participation in clearing solid waste in all segments in the metropolis in a sustainable manner. Despite the immensity of the problem, very little research on solid waste management has been carried out in the Metropolis. The study will serve as a reference point to the ministries, departments and agencies as far as solid waste management is concerned. In this case, it will give them an in-depth understanding of what the problems of solid waste management are and the strategies to tackle the problems in Bauchi Metropolis. Additionally, the study will contribute to existing body of knowledge on solid waste management and also stimulates further research on the subject in other Metropolitan Areas and Municipalities.

1.5 Scope of the Study

The research work would focus on the evaluation of community participation in solid waste management in Bauchi metropolis, as it affects the physical environment.

1.6 Limitation of the Study

As every research has a limitation and this research work is not an exception as well. The research did not focus on the management of liquid waste (sewage) and other kinds of waste and only focused on the solid waste. Besides that, the research concentrated on only three areas that is Old GRA Kaduna, Ibrahim Bako and Kofar Dumi in Bauchi metropolis. Other limitation attributed to this study includes time factor, and financial constraint.

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