recycling Article Public Perception of Solid Waste Management Practices in Nigeria: Ogun State Experience David O. Olukanni * , Favour B. Pius-Imue and Sunday O. Joseph Department of Civil Engineering, Covenant University, P.M.B., 1023 Canaan land Ota 112233, Nigeria * Correspondence: [email protected] Received: 10 March 2020; Accepted: 16 April 2020; Published: 20 April 2020 Abstract: The effects of poor solid waste management practices in many developing countries have been identified in the literature. This study focuses on understanding the public perception and attitudes of people towards local waste management practices. Five Local Government Areas in Ogun State, Nigeria, were selected based on population, landmass, spatial location, and distribution. The study used a survey that looked into the socio-demographics, household characteristics, and standard solid waste disposal practices at the household and municipal levels. Factors such as frequency of waste collection, presence of environmental task force/protection agency, and level of effectiveness of such task force/agency were all investigated. The study verified the impact of people’s attitudes towards waste management, as well as the effects of monitoring and control on the management of waste. The results showed that significant factors such as age, income, and education levels affect the perceptions, practices, and attitudes of the people towards solid waste management. An average of 36.6% of the people in the selected local governments dispose of their solid wastes at open dumps, with the majority of the residents (54.4%) still with the opinion that sanitation services are too costly and should be the prerogative of the local and state governments to carry out. These outcomes resonate that more efforts by the government and relevant stakeholders should be put into proper enforcement of environmental laws, as well as creating awareness on proper solid waste management practices in schools and public places. Keywords: municipal solid waste; waste management; community practices; public perception; environmental laws; waste management efficiency 1. Introduction One of the major concerns of both urban and rural communities in Nigeria is the issue of waste management. One such concern is that developing countries like Nigeria spend up to 50% of their budgets on solid waste management (SWM) but collect no more than 80% of the generated garbage [1]. Solid waste management thus emerges as one of the greatest challenges facing state and local government environmental protection agencies in Nigeria. In Nigeria, heaps of uncollected garbage pollute the environment and contribute to higher rates of diarrhoea and acute respiratory infections among people, not only those living around the garbage dumps [2]. Nigeria is projected to have a population of over 214 million people by July 2020 and 392 million by 2050 [3], and is known to be one of the largest producers of solid waste [4]. Solid waste encompasses all waste spawning from both human and animal activities. Some examples include by-products of materials such as household wastes like food leftovers, empty cartons, and polythene packages/bags that may be obligatory to be disposed of by law [5–7]. Recently, there has been an exceptional increase in the volumes of daily waste generation in the country due to various reasons, such as an increase in population, urbanization, and industrialization, as well as economic progression [7–9]. In Nigeria, 52% of the population live in urban areas and the average annual population growth rate is at 2.53% in 2020 [3]. Recycling 2020, 5, 8; doi:10.3390/recycling5020008 www.mdpi.com/journal/recycling Recycling 2020, 5, 8 2 of 16 Studies show that Nigeria generates well over thirty-two million tons of solid waste annually, of which only a low percentage (20–30%) is collected and recycled [4]. The industrialisation has metamorphosed waste management into an issue beyond control. The spate at which wastes are being generated has not been met with measures put in place by various governments. Furthermore, many urban regions lack a compelling waste management structure. As a result, most urban family units depend on indiscriminate practices like the careless dumping, burning, or burying of their solid waste within their vicinities [4,10]. The problem of waste management in Nigeria can also be accredited to the lack of public policy enabling legislation and an environmentally stimulated and enlightened public [7]. Even though laws and regulations were formulated and presented in the past, there has not been any functional infrastructure for their implementation. A case-in-point was the establishment of the Federal Environmental Protection Agency (FEPA) in 1981. The outcome of this act brought about resurgence of many states within the federation establishing their own waste management authorities for the safety and development of the environment. However, the regulations set for operations were unsuccessful because of the absence of effective sanctions, coupled with economic considerations that are deficit of knowledge of interdependent linkages among various processes involved in both human and environmental resources to mitigate the myriad of waste management challenges [11–13]. Suitable policy and organised mechanisms for execution are vital for sustaining a sound waste management system. Where the policy is weak, or there is no legitimate implementation of laws and controls or the general society is not appropriately enlightened, waste management becomes a critical challenge. Given the circumstances depicted above in numerous urban territories, diverse Nigerian urban areas have been portrayed as filthy and unsanitary [14]. It is, therefore, apparent that solid waste management remains a significant issue that requires urgent attention in Nigeria. Lutui [15] identified five approaches that apply to the concept of waste management studies. Each of the five strategies identified by Lutui puts specific methodologies into effect and is influenced and directed by certain patterns and theoretical ideas. They include engineering, environmental, scientific, economic, and behavioural approaches. The behavioural approach, which this study hinges on, focuses on how the management of waste can be a function of various human attitudes and perceptions. Some studies employing this approach were conducted within Nigeria. A typical example is a study by [16], which investigated the attitude of urban dwellers towards disposal and management of waste in Calabar, Nigeria. Most studies have shared different perspectives to waste management issues but the underlining factor that borders on people’s perception has not been dealt with. This study, therefore, engaged the collective behaviour concept of humans and the behavioural approach to waste management studies, to understand and unveil the perceptions of the people of Ogun State towards waste management practices from the selected study areas of the state. The focus was also placed on employing public opinion, by understanding the public perception and attitudes of people towards local waste management practices in assessing the level of performance of solid waste management enforcement laws and initiatives in general across the nation. The structure and functions of effective community participation are based on peoples’ perceptions. Truth be told, attitudes and perceptions greatly influence institutional and social context. Therefore, this paper is structured to take into account the study area, methodology (data collection, questionnaire administration, data analysis, observation from field survey), results and discussions, analysis of solid waste management practices and respondent perceptions, summary, and conclusion and recommendations. 2. Methodology 2.1. Study Areas Ogun State is located in the south western region of Nigeria with coordinates, 7◦000 N 3◦350 E, having an estimated area of 16,980.55 km2 and a population of 3,751,140, with a density of 220/km2, Recycling 2020, 4, x 4 of 18 The majority of the selected local government areas, such as Ado-Odo Ota, Ijebu-East, and Obafemi Owode, were observed to be dominantly engaged in industrial activities, as seen by the vast number of industries discovered in those areas. All five local governments have a considerable amount of commercial spaces, although the significant difference lies in the distance between various industrial regions within each of the selected areas; hence, local governments with comparatively smaller landmasses such as Ado-Odo Ota and Yewa South were observed to contain Recyclinga higher2020 number, 5, 8 of the commercial regions or zones. The local governments with more significant3 of 16 landmasses, such as Obafemi Owode, Odeda, and Ijebu-East, were observed to be majorly involved in agricultural activities. Educational institutions within these local government areas were also seen accordingto be predominantly to the last census government in 2006.-owned It borders or public, Oyo and with Osun a stateshandful to theof private north, Lagosschools state sparsely to the south,distributed Republic across of Beninor concentrated to the west, within and Ondo strategic state regions to the east. of the Figure local1 governmentshows a map areas. of Ogun The State, field showingsurvey carried its various out commenced local government on 4 December areas and 2017 the selectedand was ones completed in circles. on 9 February 2018. FigureFigure 1.1. Map of Ogun State, showing itsits