ABSTRACT
The study examined solid waste disposal methods in Benin City. Six different methods of solid waste disposal were observed; Burning, Burying Composting, Open dumping, Edo State Waste Management board and the use of Private waste contractors. The City of Benin was also demarcated into three density zones; the Core, the Intermediate and the Periphery. The study sought to find out variations in solid waste disposal methods across these three zones as well as find the out the most used disposal method in the City. Also, the study was aimed at finding out the different socio-demographic factors that significantly influence the choice of the solid waste disposal method employed by the populace at the core, intermediate and peripheries respectively.
Results showed that open dumping as a solid waste disposal method was mostly used in all three zones in the City. It also revealed that there were significant variations in solid waste disposal method methods employed in the City’s core, intermediaries and peripheries.
Finally, it was observed that at the Core areas of the City, the Age group distribution of the respondents was of significant influence to the choice of open dumping as the choice disposal of solid waste. Meanwhile, the Income level of the population was observed to influence the choice of open dumping of solid waste at the intermediate parts of the City. Lastly, at the peripheral areas of the City, it was observed that the choice of solid waste disposal method, open dumping, was significantly influenced by the Levels of education of the population.
Recommendations were made to the government to pay attention at improving the social well being of residents at the peripheral areas through the provision of basic social services at affordable rates. Also adequate plans should be made to sensitize the general public on the effects of a dirty environment and measures thereof should be taken to tackle the menace of indiscriminate solid waste disposal in Benin City.
