This study focused on residents’ knowledge of solid waste reduction, reuse and
recycling (3Rs) as sustainable solid waste management (SSWM) options in
Makurdi metropolis, a rapidly growing urban city in the North central (middle
belt region) of Nigeria. The area surveyed covered low (zone I), medium (zone
II) and high- density (zone III). Data used for this study were collected by the
use of literature search, administration questionnaire (n=560), formal and
informal interviews, and observational checklists. Analyses of the data revealed
that > 72% of the respondents in the three environmental zones are aware of the
fact that solid waste can be reused, reduced and recycled. The trouble is, merely
knowing something is not, by itself, sufficient to generate beneficial outcomes.
There is a need for the residents to be educated or informed on how solid waste
can be reused and reduced from source. The Government needs to put
uninterrupted electricity supply in place as a basic ingredient for small medium
and large scale industry. The market for recyclable products should also be
strengthened.