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Assessing the Impact of Plastic Waste Pollution on Environment In Gombe Metropolis, Gombe State Nigeria
Summary
A survey of nearly 240 people in Gombe, Nigeria found that most residents know plastic waste is bad for their health and environment—64% even linked it to disease and higher death rates—yet almost 95% still rely on plastic sachet water bags for drinking because better options aren't available. The catch: without enough recycling centers and waste collection points, most of this plastic ends up burned or dumped, which can pollute water and air and expose people to harmful chemicals. This shows that fixing plastic pollution isn't just about awareness—it requires real infrastructure like recycling systems, since people already know the risks but lack safer alternat
Plastic waste pollution has emerged as a major environmental concern in the world, Nigeria, and Gombe State metropolis, Gombe, Nigeria. This study assessed its impact on environmental health, particularly in relation to water industries and market areas. Quantitative survey approach was employed. A total of 237 respondents participated in the survey. Four sites were used: Inex Dumpsite, Main Market, Tumfure Market, and Old Market. Findings revealed a male-dominated respondent pool (59.1 %), with most participants aged 18–50 years. A significant majority (72.6 %) acknowledged the harmful effects of plastic waste on health and the environment, 64.1% linked plastic waste to disease transmission and increased mortality. Waste management relied on community collection points (42.2 %) and private companies (38 %), with indiscriminate disposal and burning widely discouraged. 87.3 % agreed that sorting reduces bulk waste while 12.7% disagreed. Inadequate recycling industries and waste collection points are the major challenges to effective plastic waste management. The sturdy also revealed that majority of the respondents (89.4%) agreed that plastics should be recycled. Main market out of the three markets surveyed emerges as the highest distributor of plastic bags having 34% of its vendors dispensing over 100 bags daily. 94.9% of the respondents depend on sachet water for drinking.0nly 6.3% of the water industries produce less than 100 bags of water a day. The study recommends intensified public awareness campaigns on proper plastic disposal and provision of adequate waste recycling systems, alongside improved sanitation measures to mitigate pollution and health risks.