THE IMPACT OF PLASTIC BAGS ON THE ENVIRONMENT: A FIELD SURVEY OF THE CITY OF UYO AND THE SURROUNDING AREAS.

ABSTRACT

This study examined the impact of plastic bags on the environment. Survey method was  adopted for the study. The target population adopted for this study comprised of all staff of Akwa Ibom State Environmental Protection and  Waste Management Agency (AKSEPWMA). The sample size for this study was two hundred (200) respondents (staffs) selected amongst staff of AKSEPWMA. Simple Random sampling was used to choose the sample size for this study. The research employed primary and secondary sources of data. Primary data were gathered through questionnaires distributed among the Among the selected two hundred (200) respondent. The data gathered from the questionnaire were analysed and presented in frequency and percentage tables. The data were also interpreted and the chi square statistical test was used to test the stated hypothesis. The result revealed that poor waste management practices negatively impacts the environment. The study recommended that awareness campaigns should be encouraged on the effects and implications of poor waste management practices in Nigeria.

 

 

 

CHAPTER ONE

GENRAL INTRODUCTION

• BACKGROUND

Plastic bags are used to package products such as groceries and clothing purchased in stores. Even though we know that plastic bags can harm the environment, they are widely utilised. Plastic bags have risen to prominence in the litter system for municipal solid garbage. Pollution, blockage of channels, rivers, and streams, and landscape distortion are only a few of the negative environmental consequences. As a result of these consequences, the general public, campaigners, and legislators have expressed indignation, with some national governments banning the use of plastic bags for shopping.

Plastic bags are commonly disposed of in landfills as part of domestic waste, but they can also harm wildlife and clog drains and streams if they end up in the environment (Barnes et al., 2009; Gregory, 2009). As a result, they pose a huge environmental and public-health risk, as well as being indicative of broader sustainability issues emerging from rising consumption and waste levels.

Plastic pollution has genuinely become a global issue. Plastic fragments have been carried to the farthest reaches of the globe by planetary-scale ocean currents, including wilderness areas in the Arctic and Antarctic. Plastic trash is degrading Earth’s oceans and shorelines, and action at all sizes is needed to address the problem (Simon Oakes 2010).

Plastic bags are to blame for the deterioration of the environment and agricultural land, as well as the unintended depletion of important earth resources, particularly oil (Sugii, 2008). This has now become a huge environmental and agricultural productivity concern. Discarded plastic bags that have already made their way into the field are not only inconvenient for farmers, but also dangerous. The so-called developed global society’s environment would deteriorate as a result of this.

Babayemi (2009 ) reported that urban centres in Nigeria collect less than half of the plastic waste produced and 95 percent of that amount is either indiscriminately thrown away at various dumping sites on the periphery of urban centres, or at a number of so-called temporary sites, typically empty lots scattered throughout the cities. Throughout most of Sub- Saharan Africa plastic waste generation exceeds collection capacity (Jibril, Ibrahim, Dodo, Sheelah and Suleiman, 2012; Kaseva, 2005; Henry, 2006) as shown in Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Zambia and Kenya. There is a sharp rise in the amount of garbage generated by urban residents between now and 2025.

To successfully reduce plastic waste, we must reduce our consumption of plastic. This entails changing our daily routines, such as not using plastic when a better alternative exists and only using plastic when absolutely required. Plastic bags can be reused or repurposed for a variety of uses. It is vital to consider how things can be utilised before discarding them.

1.2 STATEMENT OF PROBLEMS

The devastation caused by polythene and plastic bags, as well as their contribution to environmental deterioration in Nigeria, has been a subject of concern for everyone. The problem of plastic bag waste in Nigeria and other nations has a variety of primary reasons. South Africa, for example, has enacted legislative legislation that restricts the manufacture and use of plastic bags. Several European governments have enacted plastic bag fees in response to the deleterious impact of plastic bags on agricultural produce. To curb manufacturing and use of plastic bags, the Japanese government has imposed a tax (Md-Jalil et al., 2013). When compared to placing pressure on people’s manufacture and usage of plastic bags, prohibitions on the use of plastic bags and the development of alternatives are a most welcome move.

1.3 AIM AND OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

The main aim of the research work is examine impact of plastic bags on the environment.   Other specific objectives of the study are:

1. to determine the methods used in plastic waste recycling in Nigeria
2. to determine the effect of plastic waste on the environment.
3. to investigate on the factors affecting plastic waste recycling in Nigeria
4. to determine the benefits of the products from plastic waste recycling in Nigeria.

1.4 RESEARCH QUESTIONS

The study came up with research questions so as to ascertain the above stated objectives of the study. The research questions for the study are:

1. What are the methods used in plastic waste recycling in Nigeria?
2. What is the effect of plastic waste on the environment?
3. What are the factors affecting plastic waste recycling in Nigeria?
4. What are the benefits of plastic waste recycling in Nigeria?

1.5 SIGNIFICANCE OF STUDY

The study on circular economy; looking at transforming plastic waste recycling into Nigeria economy will be of immense benefit to the plastic industries in Lagos State in the sense that the study will discuss the types recycling method used in plastic waste recycling and the effect of plastic waste recycling on Nigeria economy. The study will serve as a repository of information to other researchers that desire to carry out similar research on the above topic. Finally the study will contribute to the body of existing literature on plastic waste recycling.

1.6 SCOPE OF THE STUDY

The study on impact of plastic bag on the environment, will cover the  methods used in plastic waste management  and the effect of plastic waste  on the environment.

1.7 LIMITATION OF THE STUDY

Financial constraint- Insufficient fund tends to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature or information and in the process of data collection (internet, questionnaire and interview).

Time constraint- The researcher will simultaneously engage in this study with other academic work. This consequently will cut down on the time devoted for the research work

THE IMPACT OF PLASTIC BAGS ON THE ENVIRONMENT: A FIELD SURVEY OF THE CITY OF UYO AND THE SURROUNDING AREAS. GET MORE  ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE PROJECT TOPICS AND MATERIALS

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