ASSESSMENT OF INFORMAL E-WASTE RECYCLING AND REFURBISHING ACTIVITIES IN NIGER STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

The study assessed the informal E-waste recycling and refurbishing activities in Niger State, Nigeria. Seven research questions guided the study while seven null hypotheses were formulated and tested at 0.05 level of significance. Relevant literatures were reviewed in line with the objective of the study. The study adopted a mixed research design. The targeted population for the study was 428 respondents. True Nonprobability sampling techniques, snowball and convenient sampling techniques were used to draw 40 Refurbishers, 40 Recyclers, 30 collectors and 68 Environmental Protection Agency (NISEPA) staff, 49 National Environmental Standard and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) staff, and 11 Federal Ministry of Environment (FME) staff in Minna metropolis. Structured questionnaire titled “Assessment of Informal E-waste Recycling and Refurbishing Activities” and structured interviews questions were used for data collection. The instrument was validated by three experts, One from Niger State Environmental Protection Agency, and other two from Department of Industrial and Technology Education, Federal University of Technology, Minna. Cronbach Alpha was used to ascertain the extent of the internal consistency of the instrument and a reliability coefficient of 0.82 was obtained for the entire instrument. Data collected was analyzed using statistical package for social science (SPSS version 21). Mean and standard deviation were used to answer the research questions, while One-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) was used to test the hypotheses at 0.05 level of significance. Post-hoc (Tukey Honesty Significant Difference, HSD) was used to test the difference for the rejected hypotheses at (p<0.05). The research question one shows that the mean of all the items were within 4.28 – 4.46 which is an indication that the activities are actively carried out in the study area while hypothesis one shows the analysis of f-ratio (1.584) and a significance criterion (sig) of 0.196 which is greater than p-value of 0.05. The study revealed among others that, Ewaste are dismantled and disassembled to remove the valuable materials and the non valuable materials are disposed improperly and burnt within the environment. There is lack of proper awareness of health hazards associating with E-waste equipment amongst the stakeholders involved. Also, techniques in handling and improving recycling and refurbishing e-waste are not adequately aware of. The study recommended among others, that enlightment and sensitization programme on the activities of e-wastes should be organized for e-waste collectors, recyclers and refurbishers; Regulatory Agency should ensure regular orientation and skill acquisition programme for the personnel involved in informal E-waste sector on proper handling method, awareness of health hazards and techniques for improving recycling and refurbishing of e-waste. Government should also ensure that the personnel involved in informal e-waste sectors are registered with the Regulatory Agency to ensure proper monitoring of their activities in the State. Also the creation of public education and effective awareness to the community needs to be facilitated to help enhance proper handling method and reduce the effect of health hazards on public health and environments in Niger State Nigeria.