Analysis of Solid Waste Management Practices in Wudil Town, Kano State, Nigeria

Abstract

Solid waste and its management are crucial to cities existence, particularly in third world communities. The advancement in GIS technology provides viable means of integrating digital and existing management practices in terms of spatial pattern and the distribution to aid waste management analysis and suggest effective strategies for efficient waste management. This study investigates the existing solid waste management practices in Wudil town through a careful examination of the spatial pattern of waste collection points (WCP) using Nearest Neighbor Analysis (NNA) in ArcGIS which was compared with world standards alongside residents’ attitude towards waste management. The research employs the used of stratified and systematic random sampling where 396 questionnaire was returned and used in the analysis. The spatial analysis using NNA highlight the distribution of 70 informal WCP as compared to 9 formal WCP with Z-score of 0.013 and 3.203 indicating a 1% and less than 1% likelihood that the patterns of these WCP (Formal and informal) is Dispersed and Random respectively. The observable mean distance for formal WCP is found to be 48m above the maximum 500m standard set by the UN-Habitat and 211m for informal WCP suggesting indiscriminate refuse dumping. Attitudes towards waste disposal were observed to be in open spaces and drainages with 49.7% of the respondents engaging in such activity. The study reveals 24tons of daily waste generation in Wudil town from which residential land use contributes (17.7tons), commercial (4.3tons) and 2tons of waste from mix used developments putting Wudil at an estimate of 718tons of waste per month promoting youth employment in the informal sector through waste separation, scaling and further transportation to Kano metropolis for recycling. The study therefore concludes by recommending the integration of GIS techniques in waste management towards producing a more sustainable and viable waste management plan.