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Assessment of Environmental Management Practices in Sachet Water Industries in Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria
Summary
A study of 30 sachet water factories in Maiduguri, Nigeria found that plastic waste constitutes 83% of production waste, with 74.7% disposed of via land dumping despite high self-reported environmental management effectiveness. The findings highlight a critical gap between perceived and actual environmental stewardship in the informal water sector, contributing to plastic pollution in developing urban environments.
Access to safe drinking water remains a critical challenge in many developing countries, including Nigeria.Sachet water has emerged as a viable alternative source of potable water, yet its production generates substantial environmental concerns.This study assessed the environmental management practices of sachet water industries in Maiduguri Urban, Borno State.Data were collected from 150 respondents across 30 randomly selected sachet water factories using structured questionnaires.Descriptive statistics were applied to analyze the data.The findings revealed that, although most industries demonstrated strong housekeeping practices, significant gaps persisted in waste management, staff training, and environmental infrastructure.Plastic waste constituted the largest proportion of waste generated (83.3%), with land disposal being the most prevalent disposal method (74.7%).While 96.7% of respondents rated the effectiveness of environmental management systems as high or very high, inadequate sanitation facilities, poor waste segregation, and inefficient water and energy use were critical issues.The study concludes that enhanced regulatory enforcement, structured staff training, and investment in waste-management infrastructure are essential for promoting sustainability within the sector.Recommendations include strengthening recycling initiatives, providing adequate sanitation facilities, and conducting regular environmental management training.