House Hold Solid Waste in Imo State: A Comparative Study of the Household Solid Waste Generated by Household and Patterns of Household Solid Waste Disposal in Orlu and Owerri Municipalities

Background: Generally, but especially domestic waste has been seen to be the most problematic of all generated waste by households and individuals has employed the habit of just throwing away waste indiscriminately and hence the management of these indiscriminate waste has become both a national and international concern. In Imo State—one of the rapidly urbanizing regions in southeastern Nigeria—municipalities such as Orlu and Owerri face persistent challenges despite relatively high levels of public awareness about proper waste management practices. The disconnect between knowledge and practice poses severe risks to environmental sustainability and public health. hence this study tends to shed light on the solid waste generated by households and patterns of disposal. Methods: The study utilized a comparative descriptive cross-sectional study design. A total of 400 was obtained as the sample size for the study using Taro and Yamane formula and Multistage sampling technique was employed in the selection of households from which respondents were drawn. A structured questionnaire was used as the instrument of data collection. Statistical data analysis was performed using statistical product and solution (SPSS) and the results obtained from the study were expressed in distribution tables and percentages. Chi-square was used to test for associations between data variables (P=0.05). Results: Assessment of the types waste generated in Orlu showed that the major components was biodegradable (57.5%) and non-biodegradable accounted for (42.5%) while Owerri showed that (60%) of the solid waste generated were biodegradable and (40%) were non-biodegradable, no significant association was found on the categories of household solid waste generated in both cities(P=4.097). While open dumping was found to be the most waste disposal method practiced in both cities (37.5% in Orlu and 42.5% in Owerri) no significant difference was found in this study on household solid waste disposal method in Orlu and Owerri (p=0.445). Conclusion and Recommendation: The study concluded that the categories of wastes generated in these two cities include both biodegradable and non-biodegradable wastes. On the other hand, people in both cities practice more of open dumping and non-provision of adequate equipment contributed to that. In all, the waste disposal at household level in Orlu and Owerri is quite similar and poor with low capacity. Therefore, organized improvements are required.