Influence of environmental education on solid waste management practices :

Abstract

Environmental education is a process that allows individuals to explore environmental issues, engage in problem solving, and take action to improve the environment. As a result, individuals develop a deeper understanding of environmental issues and have the skills to make informed and responsible decisions. The general objective of the study was to assess the impact of environmental education on solid waste management practices in Lira City West division -Lira City. The objectives of the study were to establish reasons for methods of solid waste management practiced by residents of different social status in lira city west division; to find out the reasons for views of the community about the solid waste management practices exhibited in the city and to find out the reasons for different skills used in managing of the different types of solid waste generated in Lira city by the community. A cross sectional survey research was employed and the study employed both qualitative and quantitative methods. The sample size comprised of 100 respondents selected from the cells in Bar-Ogole Ward using simple random sampling techniques and the data collected was analyzed using excel. The study found out that the community members have positively changed their attitude towards solid waste management and this is as a result of environmental education. Environmental education is also improving waste management in the city. The residents are using the simple emptying methods of solid waste management including collection their waste in the sacks and then taking it for dumping at the collection point, there is solid waste sorting carried out with the reason to keep the environment clean though some are doing it in order to get the recycling materials to sale for money. The study also found out that the community is sorting and segregating solid waste in order to reduce on the solid waste that ended up in the land fill and to get some money out of it for sale. Education on making compost from organic waste is still need to continue this is because organic waste constitutes 50% of the solid waste generated in the city. Composting of solid waste would reduce on the quantity of waste that end up in the landfills and it would also improve on the quality of our environment as well as reduce on the cost of managing the solid waste.