Waste Management and Environmental Sustainability in Uyo Capital City, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria

The study focused on waste management and environmental sustainability in Uyo, the capital city of Akwa Ibom State. To achieve this objective, two hypotheses were formulated using waste recycling and waste landfill as variables of waste management. This study relied on Ecological Modernization Theory (EMT) as the theoretical framework. The survey research design was used and the study population was 1,457,020. 400 respondents were chosen as sample size using Taro Yamane’s sample size determination technique. Data analysis was done using simple linear regression analysis. The findings revealed that waste management practices significantly influence environmental sustainability in Uyo Capital City. Specifically, the findings revealed that waste recycling and landfill practices have significant effect on environmental sustainability in Uyo Capital City. Based on the findings, it was recommended that Akwa Ibom State Government should ensure that waste recycling is incorporated into the Akwa Ibom State Environmental Protection and Waste Management Agency (AKSEPWMA) frameworks, with periodic reviews to support its adoption as part of sustainable development goal. Also, the environmental regulatory agencies such as Akwa Ibom State Environmental Protection and Waste Management Agency (AKSEPWMA) and the Akwa Ibom State Ministry of Environment should strengthen monitoring and enforcement mechanisms to ensure all waste landfill comply with national and international environmental standards.