TY - JOUR
T1 - INFORMAL E-WASTE RECYCLING AND RELATED CHALLENGES
T2 - EVIDENCE FROM AN EXPLORATORY SURVEY IN JOS, PLATEAU STATE, NIGERIA
AU - Rampedi, Isaac Tebogo
AU - Miner, Kangyang Josiah
AU - Ifegbesan, Ayodeji Peter
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2023 Widener University School of Civil Engineering. All rights reserved.
PY - 2023/4
Y1 - 2023/4
N2 - The informal electronic waste recycling sector is a major contributor to livelihoods for a large population of unemployed people in developing countries. However, informal e-waste collectors operate under precarious environments which expose them to health risks which may have lasting impacts on their wellbeing. This survey has analysed e-waste collection, levels of awareness and operational challenges amongst informal e-waste workers in Jos (Nigeria). The study made use of questionnaire-administered interviews and 103 respondents participated in the survey. Most respondents were predominantly men, and majority had high school and tertiary education. Reclaimed e-wastes included electric irons (59.6%) and cables (57.7%); DVDs (49%); as well as TV and radio sets (42.3%). Furthermore, respondents travelled longer distances to access various collection points and buyback centres where their recovered waste items are sold for income-generating purposes. However, respondents also mentioned several illnesses which afflict them, of which body pains (37%) and headaches (46%) were the most frequent. The survey found no statistically significant relationships between respondents in terms of their willingness to recycle e-wastes, participate in improved recycling activities, and the challenges experienced in their daily activities. To overcome some the operational challenges in the informal ewaste activities, a few recommendations have been mentioned.
AB - The informal electronic waste recycling sector is a major contributor to livelihoods for a large population of unemployed people in developing countries. However, informal e-waste collectors operate under precarious environments which expose them to health risks which may have lasting impacts on their wellbeing. This survey has analysed e-waste collection, levels of awareness and operational challenges amongst informal e-waste workers in Jos (Nigeria). The study made use of questionnaire-administered interviews and 103 respondents participated in the survey. Most respondents were predominantly men, and majority had high school and tertiary education. Reclaimed e-wastes included electric irons (59.6%) and cables (57.7%); DVDs (49%); as well as TV and radio sets (42.3%). Furthermore, respondents travelled longer distances to access various collection points and buyback centres where their recovered waste items are sold for income-generating purposes. However, respondents also mentioned several illnesses which afflict them, of which body pains (37%) and headaches (46%) were the most frequent. The survey found no statistically significant relationships between respondents in terms of their willingness to recycle e-wastes, participate in improved recycling activities, and the challenges experienced in their daily activities. To overcome some the operational challenges in the informal ewaste activities, a few recommendations have been mentioned.
KW - awareness levels
KW - distances traversed
KW - e-waste reclaiming
KW - pollution
KW - statistical relationships
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85156129258&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.5276/jswtm/iswmaw/491/2023.50
DO - 10.5276/jswtm/iswmaw/491/2023.50
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85156129258
SN - 1088-1697
VL - 49
SP - 50
EP - 61
JO - Journal of Solid Waste Technology and Management
JF - Journal of Solid Waste Technology and Management
IS - 1
ER -
