Menace of informal waste electrical and electronic equipment recycling at MTN phone village, Rumukurushi, Port Harcourt, Nigeria

Abstract

Waste electrical and electronic equipment has become a thing of great challenge in the city of Port Harcourt, Nigeria, and globally. Informal recyclers appear to be the key actors in this recycling sector in the location, but they lack the right skills and knowledge. This study sheds light on the consequences of informal recycling in the mobile telephone network phone village at Rumukurushi (a location believed to accommodate about 30 informal recyclers) in Port Harcourt. The level of education, health, and safety awareness of the informal recyclers, their willingness to obey government guidelines, and their knowledge of waste electrical and electronic equipment management were investigated. Data collection was achieved with the help of questionnaires and the analysis was done graphically. The outcome of the questionnaires administered to twenty-five (25) participants shows that the informal recyclers are more conversant with their primitive style of practice. They lack knowledge and awareness on waste electrical and electronic equipment management best practices. Other findings include the informal recyclers' lack of awareness on the use of personal protective equipment and the application of health and safety in the discharge of their duties. They are willing to obey government guidelines on waste electrical and electronic equipment management. Informal recyclers are willing to quit other waste electrical and electronic equipment management processes if they can be paid by the government for gathering them. The study recommends that the activities of the informal recyclers should be restricted to gathering only.