RELATIONSHIP BTWEEN SOCIO – CULTURAL FACTORS AND SOLID WASTE GENERATION IN BIDA, NIGER STATE

Abstract

Urbanization, modernization and rural migration to cities bring about an increase in population which also proliferate the use of needed materials that result into a tremendous urban problem related to waste generation and management. Waste does not only end at creating problem of pollution to environment but also constitute menace that affects human health. Society and culture have a significant impact on waste generation. This study is therefore aimed to analyse the relationship between socio-cultural factors and solid waste generation in Bida. The study employed experimental and quantitative approach. Experimental approach involves the measure of household’s solid waste generation, and quantitative approach through structured questionnaire was employed to obtain data on socio cultural factors in the study area. A total of 400 households were selected using a stratified random sampling techniques based on traditional and modern settings to collect information on waste generation. Both descriptive and inferential statistical methods were used to analyse the data. Factor and regression analysis were used to examine factors influencing waste generation and test the effect of socio cultural environment on waste generation. The result found that a total of 1,085 kg of solid wastes was generated at the average generation rate of 0.46 kg/capita/day. The study found that seven (7) socio cultural factors such as Urbanization (0.894), geographical settings (0.757), lack of awareness (0.719), economic (0.791), practice (0.798), beliefs (0.782) and religion (0.715) influenced waste generation in Bida. Also the study found that practice (β = .167, t = 2.462, p = < .05), geographical setting (β = -.190, t = -2.702, p = < .01) and lack of awareness (β = .251, t =3.552, p<.001) had a statistically significant impact in solid waste generation in Bida. In conclusion the study recommends Government private partnership in issue of waste management and also recommends public enlightenment programme and campaign on waste generation and management. It also recommends establishing a National database that will always carry out researches and updates on waste problems both at the National, State and Local level.