WASTE GENERATION, COLLECTION AND MANAGEMENT PATTERN IN JOS CITY OF PLATEAU STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

Solid wastes generally constitute man’s unwanted materials that need to be collected and properly managed. It consists of substances, materials and objects considered as worthless or defective and of no or less value for human economic productive activities at any point in time. Apart from constituting an eye sore to urban environment, it constitutes health hazards and threatens the health of man and animals in the city. This research attempts an assessment of Waste generation, collection and management pattern in Jos city of Plateau State, Nigeria. The study made use of primary data obtained from 335 questionnaires administered, out of which 280 were returned and analyzed using descriptive statistics. Results obtained show that 87.5% of landuse type responsible for waste generation is residential, 42% of the waste generated in the area is ashes. 76% of the waste generated in Jos is from domestic activity with 32.8% being disposed in open space. Majority of waste containers used were metals (33%). A focus group discussion (FGD) gave more and detailed explanation on the prospects and limitations on solid waste generation, collection and management in Jos city of Plateau state. To this end, there is the need to overhaul both materials and methods of municipal solid waste collection and disposal in Jos city of Plateau State, Nigeria.