African Journal of Basic & Applied Sciences 1 (3-4): 62-66, 2009 ISSN 2079-2034 © IDOSI Publications, 2009 Corresponding Author: A.D. Banjo, Department of Biological Sciences, Tai Solarin University of Education, Ijebu-Ode, Ogun state, Nigeria 62 Inhabitants’ Perception on Domestic Waste Disposal in Ijebu Ode, Southwest Nigeria A.D. Banjo, A.A.R. Adebambo and O.S. Dairo Department of Biological Sciences, Tai Solarin University of Education, Ijebu-Ode, Ogun state, Nigeria Department of Plant Science and Applied Zoology, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-iwoye, Ogun State, Nigeria Abstract: The study sought to identify the perception of the inhabitants of Ijebu-ode on domestic waste disposal in Ijebu-ode southwestern Nigeria. Interview and personal observation were used to collect the data. Factors impeding the effective and efficient domestic waste management were identified. Wrong attitudes and perceptions of the people towards sanitation issues contributed to waste management problem of Ijebu-ode. Majority of members of the household involved in waste disposal are female of middle age. 53% were married, 61% were traders with little or no knowledge of the danger in living in unclean environments. 50% give their waste to waste managers, 21.7% burn theirs while 15% deposit waste into gutters. Key words: Perception Domestic waste Waste disposal Southwest nigeria INTRODUCTION Just like other major towns and cities of Nigeria , Domestic waste is the waste generated as consequence of household activities such as the cleaning, cooking, repairing empty container, packaging, huge use of plastic carry bags [1]. Humanity has always produced waste that included not only the discarded bones of animals slaughtered for food, hundreds of stone axes found in Olduvia, or the stinking cesspits and hidden heaps of Medieval Europe but the momentous increase in waste that characterises contemporary society, dating from the industrial revolution [2]. Waste is more easily recognised than defined. Something can become waste when it is no longer useful to the owner or it is used and fails to fulfil its purpose [3]. A great mixture of substances including fine dust, cinder, metal, glass, paper and cardboard, textiles, putrescible vegetable materials and plastic characterise solid waste [4]. As time passes accumulation of waste outstrip its control. There is no single solution to the challenge of waste management process is usually framed in term of generation, storage, treatment and disposal, with transportation inserted between stages of required. Hence, a combination of source reduction, recycling, incineration and burying in land fills and conversion is currently the optimal way to manage domestic waste [2]. Ijebu-Ode is engulfed in filth in both conspicuous and inconspicuous places, because it has serious problems with its waste management from generation, through storage, treatment, to disposal. Resident’s wrong perceptions and unconcerned attitudes towards waste management. In other to provide solution to these problems, it is therefore imperative for this study to examine the perception of the inhabitants of Ijebu-ode area and proffer solution on how these domestic wastes can be managed in Ijebu-ode zone. This research is therefore intended to provide insight to citizens, government officials and non governmental organizations who might want to help resolve the domestic waste management crisis in Ijebu-ode. Ijebu Ode is a city located in south-Western Nigeria, with an estimated population of 222, 653 [1]. It is the second largest city in Ogun state after Abeokuta. The city is located 110km by road north-east of Lagos, it is within 100km of the Atlantic ocean in the eastern part of Ogun state and possesses a warm tropical climate and lies within the longitude 3°56 E and latitude 6°49 N. 1 1 In the time past, the domestic waste in Ijebu-ode area are only been managed by individuals, many people drop their waste in the drainages while some discarded theirs into moving water body and other in un-authorised places. Sanitation was generally poor; there were visible scenes of heaps of rubbish on or along the streets and other open place which were referred to as dumping site.