Unsustainable Environment: Managing Waste in the University of Lagos

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Date
2012-11-06
Authors
Bakare, T.V.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of Lagos: Unilag Golden Jubilee Research Conference and Fair
Abstract
Management of waste is vital to environmental sustainability, which is a key goal of the MDG. This experimental research examined solid waster management in the university system and designed a bottle-shaped dust-bin to encourage sorting of waste into appropriate containers in order to ascertain the level of the university residential community’s adherence to the 3Rs (reuse, reduce, recycle). The experiment was accompanied by a sensitization campaign. The research raised four questions and used a combination of qualitative and quantitative techniques to gather information from the residents of the staff living quarters of the university. A careful examination of measurement of the contents of the bins revealed that there was a 75% increase in the adherence rate after the campaign. The various challenges were also noted and it was emphasized that the university system must re-examine its role in leading-by-example, especially as the university celebrates its 50th anniversary. If we fail to respect the environment, we cannot do much in terms of sending the right message to the communities. It is hoped that if the idea of the bottle-shaped bin is patented, it can be useful in encouraging proper sorting of garbage as even illiterates will understand the concept of what the bottle stands for. The study finally proposes a model for environmental sustainability within the university environment and later in the society at large.
Description
Scholarly articles
Keywords
Environmental sustainability , Environmental education , Sensitization campaign , illiterates , Research Subject Categories::SOCIAL SCIENCES::Social sciences::Education
Citation
Bakare, T.V. (2012). Unsustainable Environment: Managing Waste in the University of Lagos: Unilag Golden Jubilee Research Conference and Fair, 6th – 8th November. Proceedings of Oral and Poster Presentations for Humanities. 1, 207-214.