Creative Arts and Effective Management of Municipal Solid Waste a Study in Nsukka Urban, Enugu State

Abstract

Poor handling, disposal and management of municipal solid wastes give rise to pollution of the soil, air and water with attendant adverse effects such as the release of greenhouse gasses like methane into the atmosphere. Greenhouse gasses are culprits in global warming and climate change. Interventions in poor waste management situation as is manifest in many Nigerian urban areas demands input from all areas of human endeavour since wastes are generated by all. The study is an explorative action research which developed a curriculum embedding waste concepts and waste utilization to produce an environmental education bulletin used for learning with 100 children within the age range of 8 to 13 drawn from various public and private basic schools and children attending the University of Nigeria Children’s Centre Library all in Nsukka Urban area of Enugu State, Nigeria. Resultsshow that children are not adequately exposed to environmentally friendly and climate educational lessons as well as art and creative skills; however, they were excited and quick to learn. Several art materials and art products were created using wastes brought by the children from home using safe processes and in a safe environment. The discoveries point to the need for curriculum innovation, advocacy and need for public action and demand for a clean environment. While waiting for policy and governmental action in that direction the research will further its work to improve on the Waste Management Bulletin, mass produce it for outreach programmers in willing schools to create Eco watch groups and in the long run the project hopes to establish a waste-to-arts-and-craft centre built on the philosophy of equality for all children, quality education, safe and beautiful environment.