Abstract:

It is important to understand that the environment is as good as what becomes of it through the various activities of existing habitants; thousands of wastes are produced by individuals in a life time before he/she is being disposed as waste. Accordingly, this study focuses on Waste Management and Communication: Awareness, knowledge, Attitudes and Practices in Mushin Local Government area of Lagos Nigeria. Behavioral theory created by B.F. Skinner in 1990 forms the theoretical framework. However, Multi-stage methodology was adopted for this study, using 250 questionnaires to give answers to the research questions and to establish the objectives of this study. The findings shows that the lack of awareness and application of knowledge as led to wrong waste management practices in Mushin local government and it is clear that more intentional steps needs to be taken when it comes to educating and increasing the level of awareness and the standard of knowledge in this area. Hence, the study recommences that waste management studies should be added to educational syllabus right from elementary school so as to help students right from early age identify resourceful waste materials and imbibe the attitude of resourceful thinking toward wastes which can be a source of wealth for both individual and the country at large. Government should establish a well structured, functional-able and easily accessible recycling centre at different wards in the local government; to create job opportunities and improve employment rates in the country. Significantly, this study sees BILLBOARD as the most effective medium through which waste management information can be communicated. The use of billboard molted at strategic areas in Mushin local governments with messages that encourages good waste management practices and discourages the wrong ones; these messages should be written in local languages especially the most dominated language in that community which is “Yoruba”. Part of the messages should include a form of sanction for every offender which can be inform of fine or some hours of detainment, these means that government should put in a law of enforcement to this effect. Finally, Government should also utilize worship centres and leaders in sphere of influences to drive these messages.