CULTURAL DIMENSIONS OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS: A CRITICAL OVERVIEW OF SOLID WASTE GENERATION AND MANAGEMENT IN NIGERIA

  • Ajani Oludele Albert Obafemi Awolowo University, Nigeria https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9392-5587
  • Fakunle Sunday Olutayo Obafemi Awolowo University, Nigeria
Keywords: Social Practices, Solid Waste, Urbanites, Belief, Perception.

Abstract

Several studies have presented solid waste generation and management in urban centres as an engineering and technological concern. These studies neglected culture as the basic determinants of all happenings in human society; hence, the cultural facets of solid waste generation and management were rendered insignificant. As culture provides the context within which all human activities take place, culture was envisaged in this paper as a driving force for public perception, decision making and participation in solid waste generation and management in urban centres. Therefore, this study adopted both meta-analysis and meta-synthesis to pinpoint and discuss some theoretical key cultural factors and social practices influencing municipal solid waste generation and management. It identified trends and relationship between findings from the available empirical and theoretical studies. This paper discovered in the available relevant literature that cultural factors such as customs, belief and attitude of the urbanites that promoted their preference for food packaged with non-biodegradable material and the ways they conducted social practices resulted in solid waste generation. Lastly, methods and the cost of solid waste disposal, individualism and nonchalant attitude of people were found as the factors militating against proper management of solid wastes.

Author Biographies

Ajani Oludele Albert, Obafemi Awolowo University, Nigeria

Senior Lecturer, Department of Sociology and Anthropology, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria

Fakunle Sunday Olutayo, Obafemi Awolowo University, Nigeria

Online Instructor and PhD Student, Department of Sociology and Anthropology, Centre for Distance Learning, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria

References

Abasiekong, E. M. (2010). The Changing Faces of Rural Nigeria: Change and Continuity. Uyo:Abaam Pub.

Achor, P. N., & Nwafor, A. U. (2014). Participatory Decision Making: A Model for the Effective Involvement of Stakeholders in Waste Management Projects in Nigeria, African Journal of Social Sciences, 4(1), 146-162.

Adeboye, K. (2001). Timeline of Change in Waste Management Practices. The Environmentalist, 20, 110-112.

Adeniran, K. A. (2005). Assessment of Solid Waste Management in Ilorin Metropolis, Kwara State, Nigeria USEP, Journal of Research Information in Civil Engineering, 2(1).

Adeolu, A. T., Enesi, D. O., & Adeolu, M. O. (2014). Assessment of Secondary School Students’ Knowledge Attitude and Practice towards Waste Management in Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria, Journal of Research in Environmental Science and Toxicology 3(5), 66-73.

Aderemi, A.O., & Falade, T.C. (2012). Environmental and Health Concerns Associated with the Open Dumping of Municipal Solid Waste: A Lagos, Nigeria Experience. American Journal of Environmental Engineering, 2, 160-165.

Adeyemo, F.O., & Gboyesola, G.O. (2013). Knowledge, Attitude and Practices on Waste Management of People Living in the University Area of Ogbomoso, Nigerian. International Journal of Environment Ecology, Family and Urban Studies, 3, 51-56.

Adogu, P. O. U., Uwakwe, K. A., Egenti, N. B., Okwuoha, A. P., & Nkwocha, I. B. (2015). Assessment of Waste Management Practices among Residents of Owerri Municipal Imo State Nigeria, Journal of Environmental Protection 6, 446-456.

Afangideh, A., Joseph, K., & Atu, J. E. (2012). Attitude of Urban Dwellers to Waste Disposal and Management in Calabar, Nigeria, European Journal of Sustainable Development, 1(1).

Agunwamba, J. C. (2003). Analysis of Scavengers’ Activities and Recycling in Some Cities of Nigeria. Environmental Management 32(1), 116–127.

Ajibuah, B. J. (2013). Urban Flooding Consequences and Preparedness in Kaduna Metropolis A Paper presented at CRUDAN Open-day Programme, held a Hekan Cathedral, Katsina Road, Kaduna on 28th June: 9-11.

Ajibuah, B. J., & Terdoo, F. (2013). Pattern and Disposal Methods of Municipal Waste Generation in Kaduna Metropolis of Kaduna State, Nigeria, International Journal of Education and Research 1 (12).

Anastas, P., & Zimmerman, J. (2003), Design through the 12 Principles of Green Engineering, Environmental Science & Technology, 37(5), 94A-101A.

Aschemann-Witzel, J., & U. Hamm. (2010). Do Consumers prefer Foods with Nutrition and Health Claims? Results of a Purchase Simulation. Journal of Marketing Communications 16, 47-58.

Asuamah, S.Y., Kumi, E., & Kwartenge, E. (2012), Attitude toward Recycling and Waste Management. Science Education Development Institute, 2, 158-167.

Ayodeji, I. (2012). Waste Management Awareness, Knowledge and Practices of Secondary Schoolteachers in Ogun State, Nigeria. The Journal of Solid Waste Technology and Management, 37, 221-234.

Babatunde, B. B., Vincent, A. I. F., Woke, G. N., Atarhinyo, E., Aharanwa, U. C., Green, A. F. and Isaac J. O. (2013), Comparative Analysis of Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) Composition in Three Local Government Areas in Rivers State, Nigeria, African Journal of Environmental Science and Technology 7(9), 874-881.

Banga, M. (2013). Household Knowledge Attitudes and Practices in Solid Waste Segregation and Recycling: The Case of Urban Kampala. Zambia Social Science Journal, 2, 27-39.

Benjamin, T. A., Emmanuel, E. O., & Gideon, A. D. (2015). Characterization of Municipal Solid Waste in the Federal Capital Abuja, Nigeria, Global Journal of Science Frontier Research: Environment & Earth Science 14(2).

Berger, P., & Thomas, L. (1966). The Social Construction of Reality: A Treatise in the Sociology of Knowledge. New York: Doubleday.

Bichi, M. H., & Amatobi, D. A. (2013). Characterization of Household Solid Wastes Generated in Sabon-gari Area of Kano in Northern Nigeria, American Journal of Research Communication 1(4).

Bilitewski, B. (2008). Pay-as-you-throw-a Tool for Urban Waste Management, Waste Management, 28(12), 2759. Elsevier Ltd.

Blitstein, J. L., & Evans, W. D. (2006), Use of Nutrition Facts Panels among Adults whom make Household Food Purchasing Decisions. Journal of Nutrition Education and Behaviour, 38, 360-364.

Cheremisinoff, N. P. (2003). Handbook of Solid Waste Management and Waste Minimization Technologies, Amsterdam: Butterworth-Heinemann.

Clammer, J. (2014). Culture, Development and Social Theory: Towards an Integrated Social Development. London/New York: Zed Books.

Dessein, J., Soini, K., Fairclough, G., Horlings, L., Battaglini, E., Birkeland, I., ... & Reimer, M. (2015). Culture in, for and as sustainable development: Conclusions from the COST Action IS1007 Investigating Cultural Sustainability. University of Jyväskylä.

Duxbury, N., Cullen, C., & Pascual, J. (2012). Cities, culture and sustainable development. H. Anheier, y YA Isar, Cultural Policy and Governance in a New Metropolitan Age, 73-86.

Egharevba, A. P., Amengialue, O. O., Edobor, O., & Omoigberale, M. N. O. (2013). Microbiological and Physico-Chemical Quality Assessment of Solid Waste Dumpsites in Benin City, Nigeria, International Journal of Agriculture and Biosciences, 2(6), 344- 348.

Enete, I. (2010). Potential Impacts of Climate Change on Solid Waste Management in Nigerian. Journal of Sustainable Development in Africa, 12, 101-103.

Femi, A. F., & Helen, A. T. (2013), Prospects and Challenges of Poverty Alleviation Strategies in Nigeria, International Journal of Physical and Social Sciences, 3(3), 271.

Flanagan, W. (1993). Contemporary Urban Sociology, Cambridge: University of Cambridge

Freudenberg, N. (2004). Community Capacity for Environmental Health Promotion: Determinants and Implications for Practice. Health Education & Behavior, 31(45), 1-19.

Graedel, T., & Allenby, B. (2010). Industrial Ecology and Sustainable Engineering, Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson.

Hosagrahar, J. (2009). Value of Heritage to Sustainable Development: UNESCO Cultural Diversity Programming Lens, Thematic Toolkit. Paris: UNESCO Culture Sector.

Hosagrahar, J. (2015). Urban Heritage and Sustainable Development: Challenges and Opportunities in South Asia. In M.-T. Albert, R. Bernecker, and B. Rudolff (Eds.), Sustainability in Heritage-related Disciplines. Heritage Studies Series, Volume 3. Cottbus, Germany: Brandenburg Technical University, de Gruyter.

Hutchison, R., Gottdiener M. and Ryan, M.T. (2014). The New Urban Sociology. Westview Press, Google E-Book.

International Federation of Arts Councils and Cultural Agencies. (IFACCA, 2013). United Cites and Local Governments – Committee on Culture, International Federation of Coalitions for Cultural Diversity, and Cultural Action Europe.. Culture as a Goal in the Post-2015 Development Agenda.

Iyanda, T. A., & Olaniyi, O. A. (2014). Assessment of Municipal Waste Disposal Methods: A Case Study of Ibadan Nigeria, Chemistry and Materials Research, 6(12).

Iyer, E. S., & Kashyap, R. K. (2007), Consumer Recycling: Role of Incentives, Information, and Social Class. Journal of Consumer Behaviour, 47, 32-47.

Izugbara, C. O., & Umoh, J. O. (2004). Indigenous Waste Management Practices among the Ngwa of Southeastern Nigerian. The Environmentalist, 24, 87-92.

Jacobs, B., & Price, N. (2003). Community Participation in Externally Funded Health Projects: Lessons from Cambodia, Health Policy and Planning 18, 399-410.

Kirchberg, V., & Kagan, S. (Eds.) (2013). City, Culture and Society, 4(3). Special issue on “The Sustainable City and the Arts.”

Kofoworola, O. F. (2007). Recovery and Recycling Practices in Municipal Solid Waste Management in Lagos, Nigeria. Waste Management, 27(9), 1139-1143.

Kozup, J. C., Creyer, E. H., & Burton, S. (2003). Making healthful food choices: the influence of health claims and nutrition information on consumers’ evaluations of packaged food products and restaurant menu items. Journal of Marketing, 67(2), 19-34.

Longe, E. O., Longe, O. O., & Ukpebor, E. F. (2009). People’s Perception on Household Solid Waste Management in Ojo Local Government Area in Nigeria, Iran Journal of Environ. Health Sci. English, 6(3), 201-208.

Lawal, A. S. D. (2004). Composition and Special Distribution, Solid Waste Collection Points in Urban Katsina, Northern Nigeria. The Environmentalist, 24, 62-64.

Loughlin, D., & Barlaz, M. (2006). Policies for Strengthening Markets for Recyclables: A Worldwide Perspective. Critical Reviews in Environmental Science and Technology, 36(4), 287-326.

Loureiro, M. L., McCluskey, J. J., & Mittelhammer, R. C. (2001). Assessing consumer preferences for organic, eco-labeled, and regular apples. Journal of agricultural and resource economics, 404-416.

McCoy, D. C., Hall, J. A., & Ridge, M. (2012). A systematic review of the literature for evidence on health facility committees in low-and middle-income countries. Health policy and planning, 27(6), 449-466.

Modebe, I., & Ezeama, N. N. (2011). Public Health Implication of Household Solid Waste Management in Awka Southeast Nigerian. The Journal of Public Health, 1.

Morin, C. (2011). Neuromarketing: The New Science of Consumer Behaviour. Society 48, 131-135.

Nadarajah, M., & Yamamoto, A. T. (Eds.) (2007). Urban Crisis: Culture and the Sustainability of Cities. Tokyo: United Nations University Press.

Nkwoada, A., Alisa, C., & Duru, I. (2013). Public Participation in Solid Waste Management Practices within Owerri Urban of Imo State, Nigeria. International Journal of Science And Research (IJSR) ISSN (Online): 2319-7064.

Obionu, C.N. (2007). Primary Health Care for Developing Countries. 2nd Edition, Publishers Institute for Development Studies, University of Nigerian Enugu Campus, Enugu, 183-284.

Ohaka, A. R., Ozor, P. E., & Ohaka, C. C. (2013). Household Waste Disposal Practices in Owerri Municipal Council of Imo State, Nigerian Journal of Agriculture, Food and Environment 9(2), 32-36.

Ohakwe, J., Nnorom, I. C., & Iwunze, I. S. (2011). Survey of Attitude of Residents Towards Environmental Deterioration in Nigeria and Factors Influencing their Willingness to Participate in Reducing the Trend: A Case Study of Waste Management, Trends in Applied Sciences Research 6(2), 154-164.

Ojua, T. A., & Omono, C. (2012). African Sacrificial Ceremonies and Issues in Socio-cultural Development. British Journal of Arts and Social Development, 4(1).

Ojua, T. A., Ishor D. G., & Ndom, P. J. (2013). African Cultural Practices and Health Implications for Nigeria. Rural Development International Review of Management and Business Research, 2(1).

Okalebo, S.E., Opata, G.P., & Mwasi, B.N. (2014). An Analysis of the Household Solid Waste Generation Patterns and Prevailing Management Practices in Eldoret town, Kenya, International Journal of Agricultural Policy and Research, 2(2), 076-089.

Olayiwola, R. F. (2011). Participation and Community Development: A Diagnostic Survey in Rural Community in Ibadan East Local Government Oyo state. International Journal of Development, 12(10), 45-100.

Olusanya, B. O., Alakija, O. P., & Inem, V. A. (2010). Non-Uptake of Facility-based Maternity Services in an Inner-city Community in Lagos, Nigeria: An observational Study. Journal of BiosocSci, 42, 341-358.

Olusegun, O. I. (2013). Geologic and Geotechnical Evaluation of an Open Landfill for Sanitary Landfill Construction in Ilorin Southwestern Nigeria, Journal of Environment and Earth Science, 3(3).

Omotosho, O. (2010). Health-seeking Behaviour among the Rural Dwellers in Ekiti State, Nigeria. Int. Multi- Disciplinary Journal, 4(2), 125-138.

Onwuejeogu, M. A. (1975). The Social Anthropology of Africa: An Introduction. London. Heinemann Educational Books Ltd. ISBN0-435-89701-2.

Oyeniyi, B. A. (2011). Waste Management in Contemporary Nigeria: The Abuja Example, International Journal of Politics and Good Governance 2, 2.2, Quarter II 2011, ISSN: 0976 –1195.

Park, R. (1984). The City: Suggestions for Investigation of Human Behavior in the Urban Environment, Chicago: University of Chicago Press.

Purcell, M., & Magette, W. L. (2010). Attitudes and Behaviour Towards Waste Management in the Dublin, Ireland Region. Waste Management (New York, N.Y.), 30(10), 1997-2006. Elsevier Ltd.

Robinson, T. N., Borzekowski, D. L. G., Matheson D. M., & Kraemer. H. C. (2007). Effects of Fast Food Branding on Young Children’s Taste Preferences. Archives of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine 161, 792-797.

Sassen, S. (2000). New Frontiers Facing Urban Sociology at the Millennium, The British Journal of Sociology: 51(1).

Seadon, J. K. (2006). Integrated Waste Management--Looking beyond the Solid Waste Horizon. Waste Management, 26(12), 1327-36.

Skumatz, L. (2008). Pay as you throw in the US: Implementation, Impacts, and Experience. Waste Management, 28(12), 277-885. Elsevier Ltd.

Suttibak, S., & Nitivattananon, V. (2008). Resources, Conservation and Recycling Assessment of Factors Influencing the Performance of Solid Waste Recycling Programs. Conservation and Recycling, 53, 45-56.

Taylor, R., & Allen, A. (2006). Waste Disposal and Landfill: Potential Hazards and Information. Needs. In: WHO, P. O. U. World Health Organization (Eds.), Protecting Groundwater for Health: Managing the Quality of Drinking Water Resources, 339-360.

Tunmise, A. O. (2014). Individual Attitude toward Recycling of Municipal Solid Waste in Lagos Nigeria, American Journal of Engineering Research, 3(7), 78-88.

Ulaeto, S. B., Nnorom, I. C., Alisa, C. O., & Ewuzie, U. (2015). Survey of Waste Disposal Methods in Awka Metropolis, Journal of Applied Science & Environmental Management, 19(2), 311-316.

UNESCO. (2015). Hangzhou Outcomes on Culture for Sustainable Cities. Outcome document of UNESCO International Conference on Culture for Sustainable Cities, Hangzhou, China, December 2015.

Walling, E., Walston A., Warren E., Warsley B., & Wilhelm E. (2004). Municipal Solid Waste Management in Developing Countries: Nigeria, a Case Study.

World Health Organization. (2008). The Report of the Commission on the Social Determinants of Health. Geneva: World Health Organization.

Young, C.Y., Ni, S.P., & Fan, K.S. (2010). Working towards a Zero Waste Environment in Taiwan. Waste Management & Research: Journal of the International Solid Wastes an Public Cleansing Association, ISWA, 28(3), 236-44.
Published
2021-05-07
How to Cite
Albert, A. O., & Olutayo, F. S. (2021). CULTURAL DIMENSIONS OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS: A CRITICAL OVERVIEW OF SOLID WASTE GENERATION AND MANAGEMENT IN NIGERIA. American International Journal of Multidisciplinary Scientific Research, 8(1), 1-15. https://doi.org/10.46281/aijmsr.v8i1.1110
Section
Research Paper/Theoretical Paper/Review Paper/Short Communication Paper