Application of Geographical Information Systems and Remote Sensing to Optimal Dumpsite Selection in Iseyin, Oyo State, Nigeria

Abstract

 In Nigeria, existing studies on waste issues predominantly address the environmental challenges posed by open dumps with the gap that neglects crucial aspect of finding a suitable location for waste disposal, which is essential for effective and sustainable waste management practices, hence this study. This research sought to examine nature of waste generated, methods of waste disposal and dumpsite distribution pattern with a view to using geospatial techniques for finding suitable site for waste disposal in Iseyin.  Primary data for this study were collected through questionnaire administration and GPS receiver to obtain coordinates of dumpsites while secondary data used were a Google earth imagery of the study area. One per hundred (1⁰/₀) of the total 11,710 households in Iseyin town which approximately amount to 117 households constituted the sample size interviewed.  Descriptive statistics was used to summarize findings and nearest neighbour analysis to determine pattern and arrangement of dumpsite in relation to their neighbours. From findings, nature of waste generated was mainly bio-degradable.  Open disposal was the main waste disposal method. Recycling was said by majority (37.3%) as main method. From the analysis, the nearest neighbour ratio (Rn) from complete spatial randomness of 18 existing dumpsites was 0.098122 with a p-value of 0.0000 that typically suggested strong evidence against null hypothesis. In this context of a dump site distribution, the nearest neighbour ratio of 0.098122 indicated that the dumpsites were clustered closer together than expected in a random distribution. The study concluded that existing dumpsites were not evenly distributed in the area. Multi-criteria were used in GIS environment to propose two suitable dumpsites for the study area. The study therefore underscores the needs for geospatial techniques as it plays a crucial role in providing valuable insights and tools for decision making in waste collection and siting dumpsites