Environmental Impact of Littered Cans in Ajah, Lagos State
CHAPTER ONE
Objective of the study
The main objective of this study is to ascertain the environmental impact of littered cans in Ajah, Lagos state. But for the successful completion of the study; the researcher intends to achieve the following objective;
- To examine the attitude of people towards can littering in the environment.
- To ascertain the effect of littered can on the environment.
- To ascertain the role of the government in eliminating the rate of littered can in the environment.
CHAPTER TWO
REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE
Introduction
Littered cans have become a chronic problem in every city in Nigeria. Molokwu and Igba (2010) noted that cans entered the Nigeria market in the early 1970s and were initially a welcome development. They stated that prior to this, foodstuff were wrapped in broad plant leaves which can be used as compost manure for their farms. At present, most household commodities and food items on sale are packaged in cans. Without a system for disposal or recycling, can waste could constitute a hazard to the environment. Increasing scenes of trash and its side-effect have made the studies on community attitude and littering behaviour of immense interest to scholars. The Tasmanian litter Act, 1973 describes litter as “Rubbish, refuse, Junk, filth, unwanted by the owner or possessor thereof”. Studies on littering have tended to associate it with attitudes. According to Fishbein and Ajzen (1995), attitude and behaviour are in fact related. The concept of attitudes is central to explaining our thoughts, feelings, and actions with regards to other people, situations and ideas. Attitude implies feelings that are either positive or negative. Attitude has been regarded as the most distinctive and indispensable concept in social psychology. In fact, it is one of the most widely used terms of social relations (Berkowitz, 1972b). Attitude is an idea charged with emotion which predisposes a class of action to a particular class of social situations or objects. This definition suggests that attitudes have three interconnected components. a) The cognitive components; this is the rational information basis of attitudes, b) The affective component relating to the issue of like or dislike. It is believed that our most intensely held attitudes in particular are primarily affective in nature, and c) the connotative component which is the strength of a person’s behavioral tendencies towards any object. These three components form the basis for the thoughts and intentions that combine to make-up the structure of individual attitude. It is well established that we perceive a significant influence of those close to us (such as family and friends) on our every day behavior. It has been proven that there is also perceived influence on our behavior by “unknown others” such as the mass media about our conception of social norms and actual behaviors. It has been observed that an individual’s attitude is the most significant factor in predicting his actual behavior. That is, how strongly will a behavior, such as putting garbage in the gutters, be punished by other social actors, or how strongly will proper disposal behavior be rewarded by social actors (or indeed by your own self – image and belief in being a good citizen. A significant part of the volume of trash generated around the world ends up as litter. Litters are collected from homes, schools, industrial arena, public parks and forests, alongside high ways and water ways, and on private land. Apart from being profoundly ugly, litters are a health and safety hazard capable of causing serious damage to plant and animal life. The problem of littering is not only an urban issue.
CHAPTER THREE
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
Research design
A research design is the structure of research. It holds all the elements in a research project together. It shows how all the major parts of the research project work together to try to address the central research question Kombo and Tromp, (2016). This study adopted a descriptive survey design. Kombo, (2016) defines descriptive survey as a method of collecting information by administering a questionnaire to a sample of individuals in order to secure evidence concerning all existing situations, and comparing the present conditions for the next cause of action. Descriptive survey was suitable since this study sought to determine the environmental impacts of littered cans in Ajah, Lagos state.
Sources of Data
The data for this study were generated from two main sources; Primary sources and secondary sources. The primary sources include questionnaire, interviews and observation. The secondary sources include journals, bulletins, textbooks and the internet.
Population of the study
A study population is a group of elements or individuals as the case may be, who share similar characteristics. These similar features can include location, gender, age, sex or specific interest. The emphasis on study population is that it constitutes of individuals or elements that are homogeneous in description (Prince, 2019). In this study the study population constitute of residents of Oron L.G.A. The researcher adopted a population of 478 participants from Ajah market, Addo road, Langbasa town, Badore town, Ilaje, and Sangotedo
CHAPTER FOUR
DATA PRESENTATION AND INTERPRETATION
Results
This chapter presents the results of the study on assessing the environmental impact of littered cans in Ajah, Lagos state by analyzing the quantitative data collected from the compilation of the questionnaire, based on the research objectives and questions. Table 4.1 shows the return rate of the collected data from 218 distributed questionnaires.
Table 4.1 showed that out of a total of 218 distributed questionnaires, 16 were missing or incomplete while 202 were duly filled and returned, giving a total return rate of 92.7%.
CHAPTER FIVE
SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
Introduction
It is important to ascertain that the objective of this study was to ascertain the environmental impact of littered can in Ajah L.G.A, Lagos state.
In the preceding chapter, the relevant data collected for this study were presented, critically analyzed and appropriate interpretation given. In this chapter, certain recommendations made which in the opinion of the researcher will be of benefits in addressing the challenges of littered can in the environment with emphasis on Ajah L.G.A, Lagos state.
Conclusion
The wide spread can litter and heaps of can waste occupied a very huge area of land in the study area. As the physical survey shown, so much value of solid waste generating daily and are inefficiently managed. This can be attributed to the high influx of population and urbanization that the study area is experiencing. These outstretched the existence of waste disposal facilities and consequently led to the indiscriminate waste accumulation along roadside, gutters, drainage, open spaces etc, hence causes a lot of nuisance to environment and destruction of lives and properties. Domestic waste constitutes the largest proportion of the waste generated which is earlier biodegradable or non-biodegradable materials. Areas with largest population generation have more waste than areas with low population. The generation is basically dependent on the socio-economic status and the nature of the activities of the people. The waste contribute to different environmental implications such as land pollution, which changes the aesthetic view of the environment, bad odor production, air pollution and underground water pollution. The Nigerian air force base sanitary unit is the authority responsible for household solid waste collection and disposal, unfortunately facing so many problems. Such as gross inadequate budgetary allocation, the unit is poorly structured and grossly understaffed, as the trained environmentalist are nearly equal to the numbers of laborers and waste collection and disposal are usually done manually, regulation are not enforced. Waste management facilities are poorly designed, private waste collection firms were absent, lack of participation and cooperation apart from the inhabitants which are necessary ingredients of good government, have greatly hampered the success of waste management in the study area.
Recommendation
Haven successfully completed the study, the following recommendations were made:
Strategic environmental planning of waste management practices in the study area. There is need to ensure strict adherence to guidance and cost analysis of solid waste options in the area.
Community participation in collection, selection of sites and design of facilities is inherently essential for sustainability. There is need to strengthen the work force, by recruiting more personnel in the Waste Management Authority.
Government should provide adequate funds for waste management personnel for the purchase of more evacuating vehicles and can disposal containers. There is need for environmental and public health education on the danger of indiscriminate waste disposal in the study area.
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