Attitudes and Practices of Household Waste Disposal Among Residents of New Karu: A Cross Sectional Study

Abstract

The main purpose of waste management is to isolate waste from humans and the environment, and consequently, safeguard individual, family and community health. This cross-sectional survey was carried out in order to study practices and attitudes of New Karu residents regarding household waste disposal and to examine their opinion regarding government effort towards waste management in New-Karu. Findings of the study revealed that waste in the study area is predominantly disposed of by open dumping and burning. It was also revealed that relevant government agencies have failed to adequately provide waste collection, transportation and processing services to the people. On the part of residents, majority of respondents perceive cleaning the environment as sole responsibility of waste management agencies of government. To help reduce the problem of improper waste disposal, it was recommended that government should embark on public enlightenment campaigns to create awareness about the benefits of environmental sanitation, provide appropriate waste management facilities, integrate the services of private waste collectors into waste management operations and ensure strict enforcement of existing environmental sanitation and protection laws.