SOLID WASTES MANAGEMENT METHODS IN SELECTED TERTIARY EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS IN AKWA IBOM STATE, NIGERIA

Purpose: This study examines solid waste management methods employed in selected tertiary educational institutions in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. It evaluates the efficiency of these methods to identify challenges and proposed strategies for improvement. The research aims to enhance waste management practices in higher education institutions and contribute to broader sustainability efforts.

 

Design/methodology/approach: A survey research approach was adopted, targeting waste management and sanitation staff as well as students in six selected tertiary educational institutions. A total of 330 respondents participated in the study. Data were collected using questionnaires and analysed using descriptive statistics, including mean score analysis and the Kruskal-Wallis H test, which was used to compare variations in waste management methods and their efficiency across the selected institutions.

 

Findings: The findings reveal significant variations in the waste management across institutions, with common methods including onsite sorting, recycling, crushing, and composting. More advanced methods, such as melting and manufacturing, were underutilized due to infrastructural and financial constraints. Institutional differences also influenced waste management efficiency, with some institutions performing better in areas such as recycling and shredding. The study highlights the need for improved recycling infrastructure, training, and awareness programmes to enhance waste management efficiency.

 

Research limitations/implications: The study focuses on tertiary educational institutions in Akwa Ibom State, which may limit the generalizability of the findings to other regions. Further studies incorporating comparative analyses across different States or Countries could provide broader insights into institutional waste management practices.

 

Practical implications: The findings underscore the need for tertiary institutions to invest in recycling infrastructure and adopt more sustainable waste management methods. Increased awareness, policy enforcement, and funding for advanced waste treatment facilities can significantly enhance waste management efficiency. Additionally, the introduction of incentives for sustainable practices and penalties for non-compliance can drive behavioural change.

 

Originality/value: This study provides empirical evidence on the state of waste management in Nigerian tertiary institutions, highlighting gaps in efficiency and areas for improvement. It contributes to the body of knowledge on institutional waste management and offers policy recommendations to enhance environmental sustainability in educational institutions.