URBAN SOLID WASTE CHARACTERISATION AND MANAGEMENT FOR ABAKALIKI TOWN: ENGINEEERING APPROACH

Abstract

and disposal for Abakaliki urban, the capital of Ebonyi State. The study area was divided into five zones
that make up Abakaliki urban. Fifty households were selected in all the zones through stratified random
sampling method for the study. The study revealed that 1.95 kg/hh/month and 0.18kg/Cc/Day of solid waste
was generated from the selected areas. It was also observed that about 60% of the household make use of
plastic dust bin for their waste storage, 10% make use of metal dust bin, 25% use polyethylene bags, 2%
make use of basket and about 3% do not have storage containers in their houses, so they drop their waste
indiscriminately around the environment. Result shows that putricible waste is the highest generated solid
waste in Abakaliki followed by plastic wastes and waste papers. Metals, glasses and textiles waste materials
are the least generated. It also revealed that the month of August is the period when the area has the highest
waste generation. It was equally observed from the study that Abakaliki urban has only one approved solid
waste disposal site, this makes the people to pile up their refuse indiscriminately in open dumps along the
road and streets which give rise to environmental pollution and encourages the growth of rodents,
cockroaches and mosquitoes. It is therefore recommended that State government should create more
disposal sites. More workforces, solid waste disposal facilities for proper and adequate handling should be
provided. There should also be enforcement of laws that will prohibit people from indiscriminate dumping
of refuse within the area. Finally there should be public enlightenment on the management and disposal of
solid waste in the area.