Abstract

This research investigates public perception and participation in waste collection

and disposal in Owerri West, Imo State, Nigeria. Waste management is a pressing
environmental and public health issue, particularly in urbanizing communities.
This study aims to assess how residents perceive and participate in local waste
management efforts, identify influencing factors, and evaluate the effectiveness of
current government strategies. A mixed-method approach will be employed,
combining surveys and interviews for data collection. The findings are expected to
reveal key behavioral and institutional barriers to effective waste management and
provide recommendations to enhance public engagement and policy efficiency.
This research contributes to existing knowledge by providing localized insights
into public attitudes and behaviors concerning waste management in Owerri West.
1.1 Background of the Study
Effective waste collection and disposal are critical components of environmental
management, public health, and sustainable urban development. In developing
countries like Nigeria, improper waste management remains a significant
environmental and public health challenge. Urban areas, in particular, generate
large volumes of solid waste due to increasing population, urbanization, and
consumption patterns, and many local governments lack the capacity to manage
these wastes efficiently (Ogbonna, Amangabara & Ekere, 2007).
Owerri West, one of the local government areas in Imo State, faces growing
challenges in solid waste management. Despite the existence of policies and
agencies such as the Imo State Environmental Transformation Commission
(ENTRACO), many communities continue to suffer from poor sanitation, littered
streets, and irregular waste collection services. The success of waste management

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systems relies not only on government policies and infrastructure but also on the
cooperation and active participation of the public (Afon, 2007).
Public perception plays a vital role in determining how individuals respond to
environmental policies and initiatives. If residents perceive waste collection
services as inefficient or if they lack knowledge on proper disposal practices, they
may be less inclined to participate or cooperate with authorities. Additionally,
cultural attitudes, socioeconomic status, and educational background can influence
public behavior towards waste handling (Imam, Mohammed, Wilson &
Cheeseman, 2008).
Participation of the community in waste management includes actions such as
sorting waste at the source, engaging in recycling programs, and adhering to waste
disposal regulations. Public engagement ensures not only the effectiveness of
waste disposal systems but also the sustainability of such programs over time.
However, in areas like Owerri West, the extent of public awareness, perception,
and involvement remains poorly understood and often undocumented.
There is, therefore, a pressing need to examine how the people of Owerri West
perceive the waste collection systems in their locality, how they engage with
existing disposal mechanisms, and what barriers limit their participation.
Understanding these factors will provide insight for policy makers and
environmental agencies to design more inclusive, effective, and sustainable waste
management systems tailored to local contexts.
This study aims to explore the public perception and participation in waste
collection and disposal in Owerri West, Imo State. It will assess the level of
awareness, attitudes, and behavioral practices of the residents and identify possible
strategies for improving community involvement in solid waste management.

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1.2 Problem Statement
The management of solid waste in Nigeria has become a daunting challenge,
particularly in rapidly growing urban areas like Owerri West, Imo State. Despite
government efforts through agencies such as the Imo State Environmental
Transformation Commission (ENTRACO), the streets and neighborhoods in
Owerri West are often littered with uncollected refuse, overflowing waste bins, and
illegal dumpsites. This situation poses significant environmental and public health
risks, including air and water pollution, vector-borne diseases, and the degradation
of the urban landscape (Nzeadibe, 2009).
A critical issue in this waste management crisis is the limited public participation
and awareness in waste collection and disposal systems. Many residents are either
unaware of proper waste handling practices or unwilling to comply with existing
regulations due to a lack of trust in government services, poor sensitization, and
inadequate infrastructure (Adeyemo, 2013). This low level of engagement hinders
the effectiveness of waste management strategies and often leads to indiscriminate
dumping and the proliferation of unsanitary conditions.
Furthermore, public perception significantly influences how individuals respond to
waste management initiatives. Where waste disposal systems are perceived as
ineffective or corrupt, residents may adopt apathy or resistance towards
participation. Additionally, socioeconomic and cultural factors, such as education
level, income, and traditional beliefs, further shape how communities interact with
waste management systems (Afon, 2007).
In Owerri West, there is a noticeable gap in empirical data on how residents
perceive waste collection systems and to what extent they participate in waste
disposal practices. This lack of information presents a barrier to designing effective
policies and community-based interventions that could enhance waste management
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outcomes. Without understanding the public's views and behaviors, sustainable and
inclusive solutions will remain elusive.
Thus, this study seeks to investigate the perception and participation of the public
in waste collection and disposal in Owerri West. It aims to identify the key
challenges, behavioral patterns, and factors influencing community involvement in
waste management, with a view to recommending actionable strategies for
improvement.
1.3 Research Questions
i. What is the level of awareness and perception of residents regarding the
waste collection and disposal systems in Owerri West?
ii. To what extent do residents of Owerri West participate in waste
management activities such as sorting, recycling, and proper disposal?
iii. What are the key factors influencing public attitudes and behaviors towards
waste disposal in Owerri West?
iv. How effective are the current waste management strategies implemented by
government agencies in Owerri West?
v. What strategies can be adopted to improve public participation and enhance
the efficiency of waste management in the area?
1.4 Objectives of the Study
The objective of this study is to assess public perception and participation in waste
collection and disposal practices in Owerri West Local Government Area of Imo
State. The specific objectives of this study are to:
i. Examine the level of awareness and perception of residents regarding
waste collection and disposal systems in Owerri West.
ii. Identify the extent of public participation in waste management
activities such as sorting, recycling, and proper disposal.
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 iii. Assess the factors influencing public behavior and attitudes toward
waste disposal practices.
iv. Evaluate the effectiveness of existing waste management strategies
implemented by government agencies in the area.
v. Recommend strategies to enhance public involvement and improve
solid waste management in Owerri West.
1.5 Significance of the Study
This study is significant as it seeks to provide a deeper understanding of the role of
public perception and participation in the effectiveness of waste management
systems in Owerri West, Imo State. The findings will offer practical insights for
policymakers, environmental agencies, community leaders, and other stakeholders
involved in waste management.
Firstly, the study will help identify the awareness level and attitudes of residents
toward waste collection and disposal practices. This is crucial in designing public
sensitization and environmental education campaigns that are tailored to the
community’s existing knowledge and beliefs (Nzeadibe, 2009).
Secondly, the research will highlight the extent of community participation in
current waste management practices, which is essential for evaluating the
sustainability of government initiatives. An understanding of community
involvement will guide local authorities in enhancing collaborative waste
management programs (Afon, 2007).
Furthermore, this study will uncover key socio-cultural and economic factors that
affect how people engage with waste disposal practices. By identifying these
factors, government agencies and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) can
create more inclusive and adaptive strategies that consider the specific needs and
behaviors of the local population (Adeyemo, 2013).
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Finally, academic researchers and students in environmental management, urban
planning, and public health can benefit from the study’s findings as a reference for
future studies and policy analysis. It will also contribute to the existing body of
knowledge on sustainable waste management in developing urban centers.
In summary, this research has the potential to inform better waste management
policies, improve environmental conditions, promote public health, and encourage
active civic responsibility among residents of Owerri West.
1.6 Scope and Limitations
This study will focus specifically on examining the public perception and level of
participation in waste collection and disposal within Owerri West Local
Government Area, Imo State, Nigeria. The study is geographically limited to
selected communities and residential areas within this LGA, which represents a
mix of urban and peri-urban settings.
Thematically, the research will cover key aspects such as public awareness,
attitudes, beliefs, and practices related to solid waste management. It also assesses
the efficiency of existing waste management systems, the role of government
agencies like ENTRACO, and the influence of socio-economic factors (e.g.,
education, income, and occupation) on public participation in waste handling and
disposal (Imam et al., 2008).
The study will involve both qualitative and quantitative approaches, targeting
residents, local waste management officials, and community leaders through
surveys, interviews, and field observations. While the focus is on household and
community-level waste, industrial or biomedical waste is outside the scope of this
research.
The time frame for data collection and analysis will be limited to a specific
academic period, which may not fully capture seasonal variations in waste
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generation or disposal patterns. Nonetheless, the findings will offer valuable
insights that reflect the current state of public engagement in solid waste
management in Owerri West.
Literature Review
1.7 Theoretical Framework
This study explored theory of social constructionism of Berger and Thomas (1966)
based on the capability of the tenets of the theory to present explanations on urban
culture and as it influences solid waste generating and management through
social activities of urban residents. Social constructionism seeks to explain
the influence of urban culture on waste generation and management in
human society on the basis of social framing. The theory holds that process
of solid waste generation in human world can be understood without
recourse to the divine. This assumption indicates that a supreme being or nature
is not responsible for solid waste generation in society but people generate
waste as they endeavour to construct their social life. As the theory explains,
people devise culture of generating solid waste through social construct;
however, not always deliberately. Social constructionism asserts that parts of
urban culture that induce generating waste are socially constructed.
1.8 Review of Related Literature
Aderounmu, 2022 examined residents’ perception about the solid waste
management challenges in the study area. The study gathered data from both
primary and secondary sources. Primary data were collected through questionnaire
administration, group discussion and oral interview. Secondary data were obtained
through consultation of various journals, textbooks and the map of the local
government. The data collected were analyzed using simple statistical tables of
frequency and percentages. It was therefore established that, wastes are being
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generated from different sources in the study area. Many of the wastes generated
are from the residential sources in the study area. Other sources of waste include
commercial sources, small- scale industrial sources among others. It was inferred
that the majority of the dwellers are of low income status and could not adequately
manage wastes from their little earnings. It was therefore submitted that the
landlords themselves create street house owners associations through which
financial assistance towards solid waste management could be sourced for to
maintain effective waste management. It was also suggested that the local
government should improve on the already existing means of managing solid waste
and ensure that the environmental hygienic commitment to solid waste is not only
restricted to the marketing arena but also touching the residential places in the
study area.
1.9 Conceptual Framework
Adequate waste management system, according Sankoh, Yan and Conteh (2022),
must involve all stakeholders from the local level to the national level to enhance
collaboration. As most Africa countries continue to dispose about 80% of solid
waste at landfill sites and recycling only about 20%; there is the need for good
outline procedure in the waste management sector, starting from sensitization of
residents about the need to dispose waste in appropriate manner so as to make
collection and transfer to final disposal site easy, environmentally friendly and
cost-effective. . Efforts of some waste management agencies in Nigeria to involve
members of the public in waste management operations have not yielded a positive
response from the public. This supports the idea of Amasuomo, Tuoyo and
Hasnain (2015) with the observation of the fact that the waste management agency
in Abuja adequately provided waste bins for waste storage at home and in public
places to encourage residents to participate in sustainable waste management
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practices; nonetheless there was low public participation from residents. Oyedele
(2009) asserted that the obstacles to public participation in waste management
include; lack of funding, inadequate government policies, environmental
programmes, and behaviour of the public. The informal sector is not recognized in
SWM in Nigeria. For instance, Salau, Sen, Osho and Adejonwo-Osho (2016)
mentioned that in Lagos State there is no official recognition of the informal sector
in waste management, although tens of thousands of cart pushers and scavengers
exist on the streets and landfills collecting and recycling waste materials which
constitute a viable component of the SWM. In order to promote a sustainable
SWM system and increase recycling rates, Imam, Mohammed, Wilson and
Cheeseman, (2008) has called for co-operation between communities, the informal
sector, the formal waste collectors and the government authorities. Banga, Lokina,
and Mkenda (2011) are soliciting that government should come up with a
comprehensive policy to integrate the entire informal waste economy in municipal
SWM. This study consequently attempts to weigh the households’ concern about
the situation of waste management in the study area.
1.10 Research Gap
There is limited research focusing on small urban centers like Owerri West. This
study fills that gap by providing localized insights using behavioral and social
frameworks.
Research Methodology
1.11 Research Design
The research design refers to the overall strategy adopted by a researcher to
integrate the different components of a study in a coherent and logical way. It
constitutes the blueprint for the collection, measurement, and analysis of data. The
research design of this study is a case study. A case study is an in-depth study of a
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particular research problem rather than a sweeping statistical survey. It is often
used to narrow down a very broad field of research into one or a few easily
researchable examples. The case study research design is also useful for testing
whether a specific theory and model actually applies to phenomena in the real
world. It is a useful design when not much is known about a phenomenon (Stake,
1995)
1.12 Study Area
Owerri West, Imo State, is selected due to its rapid urbanization and growing waste
management challenges. This study focuses on Owerri West LGA of Imo State.
Owerri West is a Local Government Area of Imo State, Nigeria. It is located within
latitudes 5o 16'30"N and 5o 31'30"N, longitude 6o 51'00"E and 7o 5'00". Owerri
West has its secretariat at Umuguma along Port Harcourt road; it is made up of ten
political wards, which include: Avu or Oforola, Umuguma, Okuku, Okolochi or
Emeabiam, Umuokpo or Olaku, Omusu, Eziobodo, Ihiagwa, Nekede, Obinze, Ubi
or Ohii or Ndegwu, Irete or Orogwe (Media Nigeria, 2018). Other communities
includes Umuguma, Avu, Okuku, Oforola,Obinze, Nekede, Ihiagwa, Eziobodo,
Okolochi, Emeabiam, Irete, Orogwe, Amakaohia, Ndegwu, Ohii. The study area is
densely populated and houses many institutions of learning including Federal
Polytechnic Nekede and Federal University of Technology Owerri, churches,
hospitals like general hospital Umuguma and clinics, markets and other
commercial centers, recreational centers like hotels like the Concord Hotel and the
Nekede zoo. It also has Nekede divisional police, state secretariat, World Bank
Housing Estate Umuguma, Federal Housing Estate Umuguma, Imo State Housing
Estate Umuguma. Owerri West has an area of 295 km2 (114 sq mi) and a
population of 99,265 at the 2006 census (Media Nigeria, 2018 cited in Nnadozie,
2022).
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1.13 Research population
The target population for the study will be Owerri West since all residents of the
Owerri West are involved in some aspect of solid waste management. However,
Ihiagwa and Obinze in Owerri West will be chosen as the study population. For the
purpose of the fieldwork, however, key stakeholders in the waste sector were
identified to include waste disposal service providers and their clients, public
institutions whose functions affect waste management and communities affected
by solid waste disposal facilities.
1.14 Data Collection Methods
After carefully considering the research questions, the nature of the data needed for
the analysis and the prevailing conditions on the research field, it became evident
that the way to collect adequate data for the research will be through the use of a
qualitative approach. This will be done because some of the data required are
qualitative in nature and could best be obtained through interviews Furthermore;
aspects of the data will be physically observable and could be gathered through
direct field inspection or observation.
1.15 Data Analysis
Data will be analyzed using descriptive statistics and thematic analysis for
qualitative responses. Qualitative data will be gathered for the study using
questionnaires, interviews, field observation and documentary sources. The
qualitative data from interviews conducted with all other categories of respondents
will be analysed manually by making summaries of the views of the respondents
and supporting these with relevant quotations that captured those views, supported
with data from documentary sources and my own field observations of the waste
situations in the case-study city. The analysis will be organised under themes

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derived from the data and the research questions that guided the entire
investigation.
1.16 Data Presentation and Analysis
Data will be presented in tables, charts, and graphs. Statistical tests such as chi-
square and regression analysis will be used to test relationships between variables.
1.17 Expected Outcomes and Significance
The study is expected to highlight behavioral and structural barriers to effective
waste management. It will contribute to policy development and community-based
environmental management strategies.
1.18 Timeline for the thesis
The research work is projected to span a period of five (5) months, beginning from
April 2025 to August 2025.
1.19 Budget
Conducting a research study of this nature involves certain financial commitments.
The estimated budget for the successful execution of this research is outlined
below. This includes expenses for printing, transportation, internet access, and
other necessary logistics.
The above budget serves as a projection to guide the planning and execution of the
research work. Costs may vary slightly depending on field realities and unforeseen
circumstances. The budgeted amount is 100 thousand naira
1.20 References
Agwu, M. O. (2022). Issues and challenges of solid waste management practices in
Port-Harcourt City, Nigeria. International Journal of Economics and
Management Sciences, 1(5), 84–92.
Imo State Environmental Transformation Commission (ENTRACO).
(2021). Annual Report on Waste Management in Owerri Zone. Owerri:
ENTRACO Press.
Nzeadibe, T. C. (2019). Solid waste reforms and informal recycling in Enugu
urban area, Nigeria. Habitat International, 33(1), 93–99.
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Ogwueleka, T. C. (2019). Municipal solid waste characteristics and management in
Nigeria. Iranian Journal of Environmental Health Science & Engineering,
6(3), 173–180.
UNEP. (2016). Global Environment Outlook GEO-6: Regional Assessment for
Africa. Nairobi: United Nations Environment Programme.

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