Production of Sculpture Using Waste Materials; a Tool for Addressing Environmental Degradation in Onitsha, Anambra State Nigeria

Abstract

Industrial and domestic activities generate dumpsites everywhere, so the streets and the immediate environments are littered with all sorts of waste materials. It has been noted that increasing urbanization and industrialization have greatly contributed to environmental degradation with its problems, with regards to Onitsha, Anambra State. According to Bazunu and Okwuosa (2013), the habit of littering appears to have been engraved in the life style of many Nigerians living in cities and suburbs. As a result, ‘pure water’ sachets, other polythene bags, plastic bottles and metal cans have become characteristic of Nigerian cities. Discussing the waste problem in Nigeria, Ezike (2016) observes that waste constitute the major environmental problem in Nigeria today. Some of these wastes are locally generated while others, mainly e-waste, are deliberately imported by Nigerians out of ignorance. Wastes are of different categories and classifications, and are from different sources: industrial and domestic. Wastes are generated every day and everywhere. Wastes are majorly classified into biodegradables and non-biodegradables. The degradable are mostly organic, food, paper and textile materials, while non-degradable are plastic, metal, glass, wood and bone. Their degradation time varies according to the materials and conditions of exposure to atmosphere. These wastes, mostly the non-degradable have been observed to form mountainous heaps in most parts of the Onitsha, and even some developing communities, thereby defacing the environment, and are hazardous to living organisms and human beings. These heaps of wastes and dumpsites found almost everywhere around us constitute a big problem that needs to be addressed by both the Government at all levels, and individuals wherever one finds himself. Okpala (2016) rightly asserts that: