Recyclable Wastes: Knowledge and Perceptions of Women in Selected High, Medium and Low Density Households in Ibadan, Nigeria

Modern household solid wastes are heterogeneous mixture of biodegradables and non-biodegradables. These wastes pose a great problem for municipal authorities in hygienically disposing them. They remain in the environment leading to its degradation and thus affecting community health. At the dump sites, these wastes are often sorted out by itinerary scavengers not minding their exposure to hazards. An assessment of the nature and type of wastes inselected communities stratified according to high, medium and low population densities, the knowledge and perceptions of women in the household as managers of waste management are reported here. This study was carried out in Ibadan, south-west Nigeria with an estimated population of 3.5 million. A sample size of200 from high density area (Agbeni), 150 from medium density (Eleyele), and 100 from low density (Bodija) were randomly selected and senior women in the households were involved in the study. Focus Group discussions and semi-structured interviewer administered questionnaires were used to determine the knowledge, perceptions and practices of women in the households. In addition, selected women in the communities were trained to sort their wastes at source for five weeks and the various components were quantified by volume and weight. Standard methods were followed as described by Wahab and Sridhar (2014). The waste composition showed (high, medium and low density areas respectively) the following composition: Kitchen wastes; 38.5%, 53.9% and 90.4%, reusable and recyclables (plastics, metals, nylon, rubber, glass) 66.2%, 66.1%,and 62.8%.Further, various components of biodegradable and non-biodegradable wastes showed their potential for revenue generation through segregation and sale in recycle markets. Women exhibited a higher level of knowledge on the nature of components, their use and possible derivable benefits if properly segregated and sold for reuse/recycling. The knowledge is ore among medium and low socio-economic groups. The respondents showed keen interest in segregation training provided during the study. The study concluded that for effective waste management women may be involved for resource recycling