Environmental and Public Health Implications of Waste Management Practices in Ebonyi State, Nigeria: Evidence from a Cross-sectional Survey of Residents

Abstract

Municipal waste continues to increase daily due to the rapid growth of industrialisation and urbanisation, inadequate infrastructure, and ineffective enforcement of environmental laws, which have contributed to indiscriminate waste disposal. Poor waste management practices in Nigeria pose significant environmental and public health risks. This study examines residents' perceptions of waste management practices in Ebonyi State, their impacts, and the associated challenges. A descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted among 453 randomly selected residents across Abakaliki metropolis and surrounding areas using a semi-structured questionnaire. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, thematic analysis, and Pearson's chi-square test. The results revealed that domestic waste constituted 72% of the generated waste. Only 54.7% of respondents had access to designated public waste bins or dumpsites. Residents without designated waste bins or dumpsites practised significantly higher rates of open dumping (50%) and burning (39%) than those with designated bins/dumpsites (31%). Air pollution (73%), littering in public places (67%), water pollution (58%), and soil pollution (35%) were identified as the major environmental impacts. Similarly, malaria (69%), diarrhoea/dysentery (48%), cough (43%), cholera (32%), and skin diseases (29%) were identified as the major health effects caused by poor waste disposal in the state. However, when comparing the two categories, results showed that environmental effects and disease outbreaks resulting from poor waste disposal are significantly worse in areas without public waste bins or dumpsites, with P-values <0.05. The key challenges included inadequate waste collection and disposal systems (73%), lack of proper waste recycling facilities (69%), weak enforcement (64%), and insufficient public awareness (50%). However, opportunities exist through circular economy approaches, such as recycling and waste-to-energy initiatives, which can reduce environmental and public health risks while creating economic benefits. Therefore, stricter enforcement of EBSEPA laws, public education campaigns, and the provision of more waste collection and functional recycling facilities are recommended to improve waste management systems in the state.