EVALUATION OF SUSTAINABLE WAIST MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES TO REDUCE PLASTIC POLLUTION IN DIOBE PORT HARCOURT RIVERS STATE

Abstract

This study evaluated sustainable waste management strategies for reducing plastic pollution in Diobu, Port Harcourt, Rivers State. The research adopted a mixed-methods design, integrating both quantitative and qualitative approaches to obtain comprehensive insights into plastic waste generation, disposal practices, public awareness, and institutional challenges within the study area. Data were collected through structured questionnaires administered to residents and traders, as well as semi-structured interviews conducted with informal waste collectors and officials of the Rivers State Waste Management Agency (RIWAMA). Findings revealed high consumption of single-use plastics such as sachet water bags, polyethylene packaging, and plastic bottles, alongside limited waste segregation and low recycling rates. Indiscriminate dumping and open burning were identified as common disposal methods, contributing to clogged drainage systems, urban flooding, environmental degradation, and increased health risks. Although some informal recycling activities exist, they operate without formal support or structured integration into the municipal waste system. Major barriers to sustainable plastic waste management include inadequate infrastructure, weak policy enforcement, limited public awareness, and financial constraints. The study concludes that effective reduction of plastic pollution in Diobu requires a multi-stakeholder approach anchored on the 3Rs (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle), community-based waste segregation, integration of informal waste actors, enforcement of environmental regulations, and adoption of circular economy models. The research provides practical recommendations aimed at promoting environmentally sound, economically viable, and socially inclusive waste management practices in urban Nigeria.