Abstract
Environmental health and effective waste management are critical to sustainable urban development and public health, particularly in rapidly urbanizing regions of Nigeria. This study examines waste management practices and their environmental health implications in Anaocha Local Government Area (LGA) of Anambra State. Anchored on Systems Theory, the study adopts a scoping review methodology to synthesize evidence from peer-reviewed literature, government policies, statutory documents, and technical reports from national and international organizations. The findings reveal a pronounced knowledge–practice gap among households: while awareness of sanitation and environmental health is relatively high, practices such as waste segregation and recycling remain limited. Indiscriminate dumping and open burning of waste persist due to inadequate collection services, infrastructural deficits, and affordability constraints. Institutional analysis shows that although the Anambra State Waste Management Authority (ASWAMA) possesses a clear legal mandate, its effectiveness is undermined by chronic underfunding, insufficient equipment, weak enforcement, and uneven service coverage, particularly in semi-urban and rural communities. These systemic failures contribute to serious public health risks, including air pollution, water contamination, and a high prevalence of soil-transmitted helminthiasis (35.2%) linked to poor sanitation. The study also identifies underutilized opportunities in circular economy approaches such as composting and plastic recycling, which could reduce waste volumes, improve environmental quality, and generate local employment. The paper concludes that sustainable waste management in Anaocha requires integrated interventions combining improved infrastructure, stronger institutional capacity, consistent enforcement, and active community participation. Strengthening these interdependent components can enhance environmental health outcomes and support sustainable development in Anambra State.