Artisans’ Willingness-to-Pay for Safe Collection and Recycling of Used Automobile Lead-Acid Batteries in Kumasi, Ghana

Abstract

Growing demand for automobiles has logically led to the generation of huge quantities of used Lead-Acid Battery (LAB) which are usually found stockpiling in and around car-repair shops all over Ghana. The reclamation and recycling of spent LABs in the country is mainly unregulated and informal and therefore not done in a sustainable and eco-friendly manner. This paper estimates artisans' willingness to pay (WTP) for the safe collection and recycling of used lead-acid batteries (LABs) with data collected through the contingent valuation method (CVM) from 102 artisans in the Kumasi Metropolis of Ghana. Artisans' WTP and its determinants were estimated using Bayesian estimation of the interval data regression model. An estimated mean WTP of GH¢16.06 (US$3.87) was obtained for the safe removal and recycling of any one (1) spent LAB. Important artisan characteristics influencing willingness to pay positively are age and monthly income whereas experience influences willingness-to-pay negatively. Training received, awareness of risk of LABs to personal health, wearing of protective clothing, and other safety measures are significant awareness, knowledge and safety factors affecting WTP in a positive way. Sensitization on the health and environmental effects of LABs as well as the importance of taking safety measures should be given to artisans and should be mainly targeted at younger artisans.