AN ASSESSMENT OF POLYTHENE BAGS DISPOSAL IN JOS BUKURU AREA OF PLATEAU STATE NIGERIA

Abstract

The non biodegradable waste polytene bags are concern over decades now; if the trend is to continue valuable parts of the environment will be rendered useless. For the purpose of this study two set of questionnaires were administered, using a stratified systematic random sampling to generate information from general public and government agencies concerning disposal of polythene bags. The result of the studied problem reveals indiscriminate disposal of polythene bags in existing site such as gutters, streams, roadside and backyard, but disposal by burning seems to be insignificant in this study. This is said to be caused by individual and government negligence to enforce law. 65.3% of the respondents do not have awareness of the negative effect of disposal of polythene bags. If only 34.7% have awareness then it implies that our environment is in need of urgent attention. Enhanced waste polythene bags management can be achieved through provision of adequate facilities, adequate man power, public enlightenment towards good sanitary habit and government involvement. Alternative approaches to waste disposal such as overcoming the better and control solution can also be option toward waste polythene materials management.