SOLID WASTE DISPOSAL AND MANAGEMENT IN THE LECTURE AREAS OF FEDERAL POLYTECHNIC BIDA, NIGERIA

Solid waste, a type of land pollution comprises of any discarded solid or semi-solid material resulting from anthropogenic and animal activities in households, industry, institutions, commercial establishments, and public spaces. The research aims to study solid wastes disposal and management in the lecture areas of the Federal Polytechnic, Bida. Descriptive research design was employed for the research. 100 questionnaires were administered to the respondents, inclusive of 60 students, 20 academic staff and 20 administrative staff based on the proportion of their population size. The result revealed that due to their consumption patterns, and lecture materials, management staff dominated plastic waste (50%) generation. Students generated plastic (41.7%), paper (16.7%), and food wastes (33.3%); while the academic staff generated plastic (40%) and paper (35%), reflecting their office-based activities. Observations on the campus showed limited number of dust bins, irregular collection schedules, and informal disposal around offices and lecture areas. The lecture areas do not have any solid waste disposal point. The polytechnic lacked a dedicated waste transfer station, aside two disposal points in the hostels. This is evident, as 47% of respondents perceived the waste disposal system in the polytechnic ineffective. There were increased risks of indiscriminate disposal, blocked drainage, vector infestation, and localized pollution on campus. The provision of more bins (57%) was, forthwith, prioritized, reflecting the institution’s pressing infrastructure gap. Education on waste disposal (40%), recycling (30%), and formal professional engagement (16%) were also considered important. The study, therefore, concludes that there was no dedicated solid waste disposal point in the lecture areas and recommends the need for adequate dust bins provision and distribution around the lecture areas. Also, there is need for awareness campaigns to modify students and staff attitude to solid wastes disposal. The researchers, therefore, procured 13 waste bins for staff offices and lecture room to launch their campaign. Initiation of campus waste management model that reduce disposal costs and promote recycling in the Federal Polytechnic, Bida was, similarly, recommended. This will positively influence the solid waste management in Bida township at large.