COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION AND SUSTAINABLE WASTE MANAGEMENT IN AWKA, ANAMBRA STATE, NIGERIA (2018–2025)

This study focused on community participation and sustainable waste management in Awka, Anambra State, Nigeria, 2018 and 2025. Rapid urbanization, population growth, and inadequate waste management infrastructure have heightened the need for effective strategies that integrate public engagement, environmental education, and efficient municipal services. Anchored on Participatory Development Theory, the study employed a descriptive survey design, targeting 400 residents with a stratified random sampling technique, of which 396 valid responses were analyzed. Data were collected using structured questionnaires and analyzed through descriptive statistics and chi-square tests. Findings reveal that public awareness and environmental education substantially enhance community participation, motivating residents to adopt proper waste disposal practices, segregate waste, and participate in community cleanup initiatives. Conversely, irregular and inconsistent waste collection was identified as a significant barrier, limiting community engagement and undermining sustainable waste management efforts. The study concludes that while knowledge and sensitization drive active participation, the effectiveness of these interventions is constrained without reliable municipal waste collection services. Consequently, it recommends sustained environmental education programs and the provision of timely, predictable waste collection to foster collaboration between authorities and residents, thereby promoting sustainable urban sanitation in Awka.