ABSTRACT

In recent years, there has been a tremendous increase in solid waste generation, resulting to the heaps of refuse along major streets and roads in most cities of Nigeria, and other developing countries which has been converted into landfills. The need to control this ugly situation and make our environment pristine, healthy and supportive prompted this work. The study involved gathering of field information to reveal the major types and sources of solid wastes that makes up landfills, their modes of management and the environmental and health implications. The instrument used was a questionnaire which was administered to 836 respondents. The findings showed the major components of solid waste generated to be biodegradable (62%) with the major source being markets (44%), while the predominant management method was open dumping system (46%). Majority of the respondents (88.4%) indicated awareness of the adverse health and environmental impacts of improper solid waste management.