Solid waste has become one of the greatest threats in the world, but the situation in developing
countries has become problematic (Nelson, Agbu. and Jonathan, 2013; Bassey, et al., 2024). Waste not only is increasing in composition but is also changing in quantity from a few kilograms to tons (Zia and Devadas, 2008). Globally, approximately 1.3 billion tons of waste are generated annually. This amount is expected to reach 2.2 billion tons by 2025 (McDougall and Broome, 2008; Debnath, 2015; Tahulela and Ballard, 2017). Globally, solid waste management costs will increase from annual US$205.4 billion in 2016 to approximately US$375.5 billion in 2025 (Puopiel, 2010; Tahulela and Ballard, 2017; Ghosh, 2017).
Solid wastes can be defined as nonliquid and nongaseous products of human activities and are regarded as useless. It can take the forms of garbage, refuse and sludge (Jiya, Saidu, and Musa, 2016). Indiscriminate dumping of solid waste has serious consequences for the environment, particularly in relation to human health and the ecosystem (Wilson, Adebisi, Kaine and Cheeseman, 2009; Babalola, Ishaku, Busu and Rafee, 2010). The improper disposal of waste equally predisposes people to infections of various magnitudes (Sonika and Chhipa, 2013; Ogundele, Opeagbe & Abiodun, 2018). The World Health Organization (WHO) (2016) reports that approximately 5.2 million people, including 4 million children, die each year from diseases caused by improper disposal of sewage and solid wastes. However, they further noted that urban residents who live in proximity to waste dumps sites are susceptible to respiratory infections, skin diseases, acute intestinal infections, cholera, and eye cancer. Wastes reduce the aesthetic value of the environment, hence producing odors that are injurious to human health and serving as breeding grounds for pathogenic organisms that cause sporadic outbreaks of disease (Orajekwe, 2011). A high rate of population growth and increasing per capita income have resulted in the generation of an enormous volume of waste, which poses a serious threat to environmental quality (Ojemudia and Ojigi, 2006; Hosetti, 2006; Achankeng, 2013). Changing economic trends and rapid urbanization have increased waste disposal in many communities. Continuing advancements in science and technology are contributing significantly to the increasing toxicity and volume of waste generated (Thitame, Phalke and Pondhe, 2015).
A considerable amount of domestic and industrial waste generated is dumped within the city. Such waste can generate pollutants ranging from metals to organic materials. Some of these wastes are disposed of through sewer systems. These disposal methods threaten human health, safety, and the environment and impose additional indirect costs on society (Nkala, 2012; Tahulela and Ballard, 2017). Nevertheless, most industrial, commercial, and household waste is now being placed in landfills or surface impoundments. Many of the small premises do not have access to any disposal system other than allowing waste to soak into the ground. Industrial contaminants can also reach local aquifers via interaction with surface water or directly through infiltration (Palczynski, 2013). When waste is burned, hazardous gases are released into the air, and toxic residues are left in the form of ash (Fahzy, 2014). These hazardous waste byproducts find way into humans and animals in one form or another (Abila and Kantola, 2013).
According to Sthiannopkao and Wong (2013), developing countries are facing problems with the management of solid waste because of ineffective policy implementation, poor waste awareness, insufficient facilities, poor public participation, lack of technology and commitment to waste minimization. A study performed in Hanoi, Vietnam, indicated that individuals are ignorant or lack understanding of waste management. This study showed that illegal dumping is a norm in the Hanoi community (Nkala, 2012; Nguyen, Zhu and Le, 2015).
The environment plays an immense role in maintaining and supporting the health of all people (United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), 2014). Consequently, the environment continues to suffer, and the planet is facing serious and complex environmental issues such as environmental pollution, depletion of natural resources, population overload, and many others (UNEP, 2014). According to Aydin (2013), awareness is the condition of being aware and able to understand what is happening around one environment. In agreement with the above views, Bandara (2008) equates awareness with the perception of being conscious of acquaintance with something. In the context of this study, awareness implies understanding and knowledge of activities and events such as land pollution occurring around one’s environment.
One of the greatest challenges facing most urban centers in Nigeria today is how to cope with the increasing volume of waste generated daily by the populace (Ahmed and Ali, 2011; Mshelia, 2015). Nigeria generates 25 million tons of municipal solid waste annually, and the waste generation rates range from 0.66 kg/cap/d in urban areas to 0.44 kg/cap/d in rural areas. Ahmed and Ali (2011) noted that this number is expected to double by 2040 (Bassey et al., 2024). This is manifested by large refuse heaps, which are seen in streets and carriageways defacing the landscape of the environment (Gukop, 2012). The 1998 Koko waste episode in Nigeria opened up behind-the-scene deals on hazardous wastes involving many African countries (Sangodoyin, and Ipadeola, 2000).
Overall population growth and increasing urbanization in Jos have led to rapid growth in the city, which has been overwhelmed by the sudden increase in waste disposal demand. The supply of waste disposal infrastructure lags far behind that of other infrastructure, hence affecting human health and the ecosystem. Garbage and solid waste pose serious threats to human health and the environment in Jos due to the hazards faced by the households living in Jos town.
Refuse from domestic work, commercial areas and agricultural waste products littered on streets and residential areas can result in health problems such as malaria and cholera (Bandara, 2008; Achankeng, 2013). An obvious way to reduce the problem of environmentally induced diseases is to manage waste properly. In Jos, generating solid waste is at an alarming rate such that in most cases, the volume of waste generated is often greater than what the city system can absorb or handle. With this background, this study seeks to assess the environmental impact of waste disposal in Jos metropolis. This goal was achieved through the demographic and socioeconomic characteristics of the respondents, the factors contributing to poor solid waste disposal, the waste disposal method and the respondents’ perceptions of the environmental impact of poor solid waste disposal.