Assessment of Informal E-Waste Refurbishing Activities in Niger State, Nigeria

Abstract

Electronic waste (e-waste) has become a growing concern in today’s environment, particularly in developing countries like Nigeria, which has given rise to a new environmental challenge and health problems. This study assessed the activities of informal E-waste refurbishing in Minna, metropolis, Niger State. The study adopted a mixed method research design. The targeted population for the study was 428 respondents. True Nonprobability sampling techniques, snowball and convenient sampling sampling techniques was used to draw 40 EEE Repairers/Refurbishers, 40 EEE local Recyclers, 30 collectors and 79 regulators taken from (NISEPA 50, NESREA 40, FME 7) in Minna metropolis Niger State. Structured questionnaire items and structured interviews questions were used for data collection. The instrument was validated by three experts and 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 was collected and analyzed using statistical package for social science (SPSS version 21). Mean and standard deviation were used to answer the research questions, while ANOVA was used to test the hypotheses at 0.05 level of significant. The study found that E-waste is discarded indiscriminately along streets, those that generate E-waste are liable for disposal, and E-waste refurbishing activities are carried out without the use of personal protective equipment. E-waste is dismantled and disassembled to extract valuable materials, while non-value materials are inappropriately disposed of and burned in the environment. The study recommended, among others, that that residents and e-waste workers should be enlightened and sensitized on how to handle e-waste; the government should set up an effective monitoring system for proper e-waste handling in Niger State, Nigeria.