IMPACT OF PLASTIC WASTE ON OUR PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT IN BENIN

ABSTRACT

This study investigates impact of plastic waste on our physical environment in Benin. Four (4) research questions were raised to guide the study. The distribution of the population of this study were the residents of Benin City including customers and retailers distributed across the 3 local government areas which includes, Egor, Ikpoba-Okha and Oredo. The sample size adopted for the study was a total of Three Hundred (300) respondents within the area of the study. That is 100 respondents selected from each local government area that made up Benin City using a stratified random sampling technique. The major instrument used for this study was the questionnaire. The questionnaire was designed and validated by experts in the department of Health, Safety and Environmental Education, Faculty of Education University of Benin. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistical techniques such as tables, frequencies counts, and simple percentages Findings of the study revealed that plastic wastes an leads to the death of aquatic animals, affect the quality of the soil in the region, inhibiting sustainable agriculture practices, burning plastic releases dangerous substances such as heavy metals and organic pollutants, into the air causing greenhouse effect and Plastic waste, plastic bags and other waste materials crammed drainage channels, thereby hindering free flow of water whenever it rain, It was further revealed that the packaging of table water in cellophane sachets has increased the number of wastes in our residential home, poor waste management practice. It was further recommended that the government must be holistically involved by engaging a wide range of stakeholders in the decision-making to address the menace. It was further recommended that seminars and workshops should be organized to educate people on the opportunities in the recycling sector and encourage like minded people to establish recycling outfits