Waste Management and Marketing in Federal Polytechnics: Implications for Sustainable Healthy Environment and Revenue Generation.

Abstract:

The proportion of waste generated across Nigerian campuses is so large and what seems to be a gold mine for most public tertiary institutions in terms of revenue generation has continued to constitute health hazard for both staff and students in the school environment. If properly harnessed, waste generated within federal polytechnic environment is capable giving her financial freedom and boost employment creation. Broadly, this study examines waste management and marketing in federal polytechnics: implications for sustainable healthy environment and revenue generation. Specifically, the study examines the level of waste generated across federal polytechnics in southwest Nigeria; find out the health hazard posed by waste materials generated in federal polytechnic across southwest Nigeria; investigate the economic value of objects that constitute waste in federal polytechnics across South west Nigeria and ascertain the extent to which federal polytechnics in southwest Nigeria reduce, reuse and recycle waste on campuses. The researchers adopt survey research design in this study while primary data was elicited through questionnaire. The population of the study consists of all federal polytechnics in southwest Nigeria while the unit of analysis comprises of all the officers in charge of waste management in the selected federal polytechnics. Data collected was processed using the Statistical Packages for Social Sciences (SPSS version 25.0). The processed data analyzed using descriptive statistics. The study found that the health officers are aware of environmental and health implications of poor waste management but their approach to waste management pose threats to the health of both staff and students in the polytechnics under focus. Plastic constitute the majority of waste generated in federal polytechnics. This shows the consumption rate of soft drinks is very high among polytechnic students. Waste managers are also aware of the vast opportunities in waste management but these opportunities are not converted to wealth to boost the IGR of federal polytechnics in Nigeria. It was majorly recommended that management of federal polytechnics should set up structured waste management system, including waste sorting points, recycling centers and waste-to-wealth units on campus. These should be managed by trained environmental officers and supported by student volunteers or interns