Survey on Household Awareness and Willingness to Participate in E-Waste Management in Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria

Kangyang Josiah Miner, Isaac Tebogo Rampedi, Ayodeji Peter Ifegbesan and Fannie Machete
Additional contact information
Kangyang Josiah Miner: Department of Geography, Environmental Management and Energy studies, University of Johannesburg, P.O. Box 524, Auckland Park 2006, South Africa
Isaac Tebogo Rampedi: Department of Geography, Environmental Management and Energy studies, University of Johannesburg, P.O. Box 524, Auckland Park 2006, South Africa
Ayodeji Peter Ifegbesan: Department of Arts and Social Sciences Education, Onabisi Onabanjo University, P.M.B. 2002, Ago-Iwoye 120107, Nigeria
Fannie Machete: Department of Environmental Sciences, University of South Africa (UNISA), Florida Campus, Roodepoort 1709, South Africa

Sustainability, 2020, vol. 12, issue 3, 1-16

Abstract: Nearly 290,000 tons of electronic waste was generated in Nigeria during the year 2017, which is likely to increase further due to high population growth rates, accelerated urbanization, high demand for electronic products, as well as disposal at their end-of-life. At the same time, e-waste is associated with negative human health impacts, as well as environmental pollution. Therefore, environmental awareness on this waste stream is crucial in its management and possible minimization. In this paper, we report on a survey which investigated awareness levels and knowledge amongst households in the Jos metropolis, Plateau State (Nigeria). We interviewed 228 respondents by means of close-ended questionnaires. The results indicated that cell phones (93%) and television sets (82%) were mentioned by most respondents. The main reasons for acquiring these electronic devices entailed the replacement of damaged ones (49.6%), frequent product upgrades (37.7%), as well as theft (35.55%), amongst others. The most predominant method of disposing e-waste included illegal dumping in open spaces along with other household wastes (25%), storing it at home indefinitely (27.6%), and selling it to others for possible reuse (17.5%). Although the handling and storage of this waste is currently inappropriate, most respondents (84.2%) were willing to participate in its management provided they are given appropriate knowledge (89.9%) on its safe disposal and recycling. Lastly, we found no significant correlation between existing awareness levels on e-waste and willingness to participate in its management based on the socio-demographical profile of respondents. Thus, we recommend educational interventions on sound e-waste management in the Jos metropolis, along with a systematic analysis of how policy interventions such as the extended producer responsibility schemes can be designed for effective e-waste management and recycling amongst all stakeholders.

Keywords: e-waste; awareness; willingness; correlations; disposal; households; Jos metropolis (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (12)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:12:y:2020:i:3:p:1047-:d:315425

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