SOCIO-ECONOMIC CORRELATES OF HOUSEHOLD SOLID WASTE GENERATION: EVIDENCE FROM LAGOS METROPOLIS, NIGERIA

The study analyzed the determinants of household solid waste generation among residents of Lagos metropolis, Nigeria. Primary data for the study were obtained through questionnaire administered on residents in Eti-osa, Ikeja and Mushin Local Government Areas (LGAs) representing the low, medium and high densities respectively into which the sixteen LGAs in Lagos metropolis were stratified. From a total of 15,275 residential buildings in ten electoral wards, one out of every forty buildings (2.5%) was selected using systematic random sampling where a household head was sampled. The actual measurement of the quantity of household solid waste generated was determined in 1% of the sample frame for this study. Data obtained were analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistics. 59.9% of the residents were high income earners, 34.9% and 5.2% were middle and low income earners respectively. Through multiple regression, the study concluded that income, education, age, length of stay and household size of residents explained 54.9% of the variation in the household solid waste generation in Lagos metropolis. The policy implication of this study is that these determinants should be considered as essential factors in the design of solid-waste management programme in urban settlements that share similar residential characteristics with Lagos metropolis especially in Nigeria.