Assessment of the effects of location of disposal-sites on waste disposal practices of Urban residents in Nigeria.

This study investigated the disposal unit of waste management, targeting distance cover to dispose facilities in Ede town, Nigeria. Information was obtained through questionnaire administered on 259 household selected through stratified systematic random sampling. The three stratified zones based on socio-economic attributes are the core, intermediate and the transition. Descriptive and inferential statistical methods were used to analyse the data collected. The study established that actual average distances residents covered to disposal sites are 200.6 m in the core, 80.2 in the intermediate and 120.3 m in the transition zones. Respective desired distances as obtained from the residents are 50, 60 and 82 m. The study also established that residents, irrespective socio-economic background and differences in physical environment currently dispose solid waste indiscriminately into road setback, drains, under- construction buildings and vacant plots. These practices are attributed to longer distance cover to access disposal facilities. The study concluded that disposal facilities are not sited within the desired distance from home of the residents across the three residential zones. Therefore, waste disposal was based on available physical conditions in each residential area. The study recommends creation of waste collection depots within the reach of the residents, tutoring environmental protection, partial privatization of solid waste management and enactment of enabling law on waste disposal using participatory planning approach. It is also recommended that residents should be enlighten on the important of reducing waste coming into city, reusing already used materials and recycling some waste components into new products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]