Recycling of Solid Waste and Control of Air Pollution in Oyo and Rivers States, Nigeria

Adoption of modern mechanisms of Solid waste management

(SWM)hasbeenseenbycountries as effectivewayof combating

environmental challenges especially air pollution.Recycling one

of the modern mechanisms of SWM has several benefits both

economicandenvironmental.Mostofthemostpopulousstatesin

Nigeria, including Oyo and Rivers States are experiencing

massive air pollution every year, with attendant dangers to not

only the environment but also the health of residents. The study

examined the effect of recycling as a mechanism of SWM on air

pollution in the twoStates.The study adopted survey design.The

population was residents of Oyo and Rivers State, totaling 15,

Taro Yamane was used to determine the sample size at 400.

Validated questionnaire was the instrument of data collection.

Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and linear

regression. The study found that adoption of recycling has a

significant effect on air pollution prevention in both Oyo and

Rivers States (F (25.897), R2 = 0.082, p = 0.000). The study

concludedthat adoptionofrecyclinghas a significant effectonair

pollution controlinOyo andRiversStates.Adoption ofrecycling

as a method of solid waste management has enormous benefits

that are accruable, both environmental and economic as well as

resource conservation and should be explored as state policy by

thetwoStates.

Keywords: Air pollution, environmental challenges, recycling, solid waste management,