Journal of Development Communication And Applied Theatre

Sustainable domestic waste management continues to be a significant concern in developing nations, especially at the household level, where improper waste disposal methods frequently compromise human health and environmental integrity. This study investigates the domestic waste management practices of households in the Karu Local Government Area of Nasarawa State, Nigeria, emphasizing the evaluation of sustainable methods, awareness levels, and infrastructural obstacles. 420 copies of questionnaire were administered and 393 retrieved. The results show that most families use containers and waste bins, but not many use government-approved dumpsites. Instead, a lot of homes still employ old-fashioned methods like pit burial, which shows that the city's waste management procedures aren't working well. The study also found that people strongly oppose dumping trash in drains and open areas, as well as burning trash in open spaces. However, sorting and recycling waste is still not common; this calls for systematic steps to be taken to encourage a culture of recycling. Households know that improper waste management can hurt their health, yet they can't do much about it because of gaps in infrastructure and poor service delivery. Thispaper suggests a multi-level solution that includes regulatory changes to improve infrastructure, community-based waste programs, and programs to raise awareness about sorting and recycling at home. Taking a comprehensive approach to these problems can greatly help with long-term waste management, better sanitation, and better public health in Karu and places like it. 

Open Full Text (PDF)