Urban Sustainability and Management: Critical Evaluation of Garbage Collection and Disposal in Port Harcourt Municipality

Abstract

Garbage management is an organised and systematic channelling of garbage through the pathway to ensure that they are disposed of with good public health and environmental safety. The study aimed to critically evaluate the garbage collection and disposal in Port Harcourt Municipality to achieve urban sustainability and management. The objectives are to identify the methods of garbage collection and disposal in the study area, evaluate the efficiency of the method of garbage collection and disposal in the study area, identify the challenges faced in garbage collection and disposal in the study area, and identify sustainable physical planning measures for the collection and disposal of garbage in the study area. The study employed a Mixed Methods Research (MMR) approach and sequential explanatory design. The study employed stratified and simple random sampling techniques. The study identified 25 neighbourhoods in the study area and was grouped into three strata using a stratified sampling technique (high, medium, and low densities). 1 neighbourhood in each stratum (density) was selected randomly for sampling, including Diobu, D/Line and Old GRA, respectively. Taro Yamane’s formula was applied, and 100 respondents were selected for sampling using a simple random sampling technique. The study found that most garbage generated in the study area was plastic, metal/can, and paper/cartons stored in plastic bags, containers, and metals. The study revealed that garbage is collected by truck pushers/scavengers and government agencies and disposed of in designated authorised dumping sites, bush and burning. The study found that the strategies employed for garbage collection and disposal are efficient. The challenges faced in garbage collection and disposal from the study include indiscriminate dumping of garbage at unauthorised sites, non-compliance to schedule time for garbage disposal, lack of finance, inadequate human resources, and lack of an operational vehicle. Accordingly, the study recommends that; the waste management agency carry out a periodic survey of garbage collected and disposed of in their area of operation. The government should abolish the open dumpsite method of garbage disposal by households and eliminate indiscriminate dumping of garbage along streets. The waste management agency should ultimately adopt a house-to-house garbage collection in the neighbourhoods to achieve resource recovery and recycling and monitoring team that will ensure strict adherence to garbage collection and disposal regulations.