Abstract:
The principal aim of this research is to assess the management strategies of electronic waste in Ikeja Lagos; with the view of achieving a safer and sustainable environment. The study adopts a quantitative methodological approach, employing waste composition analysis, questionnaire survey, physical inventories and focus group interviews of stakeholders in electronic waste management as key methods for generation of data. Results from analysis of data, using the Statistical Programme for the Social Sciences (SPSS), indicate that 95% of the electronic products traded in the electronic village are already used products that are imported from other countries and 75% of them are irreparable junks that have lost their usefulness. These electronic wastes are improperly processed in the study area, such as burning of computer cables and components to obtain the much sought after copper, This is done however because it is both technically and financially difficult to manage it. And this causes toxic substances to be released into the environment. Data analysis also reveals that the main barriers to sustainable electronic waste management in the city include low public awareness/education on e-waste management, obsolete and insufficient equipment for recycling efforts and funding limitations. On the other hand, the most important success factor affecting sustainable electronic waste management in Lagos was found to be the bourgeoning city population which has a huge potential for uptake of recycled and refurbished products. In summary, this research concludes that the factors affecting electronic waste management in Lagos can be ameliorated with a fundamental shift in current practices towards e-waste prevention; driven by a structured public education programme in e-waste management. This is recommended, so as to bring about a more sustainable e-waste management regime. As a result of resource and time limitations, it was not possible to complete several potential lines of investigation related to this study. To fully understand the character of the electronic market waste stream however, further chemical characterization including proximate and ultimate analysis is required. Future research in this genre must endeavour to collect data from a larger sample to increase the precision of the analysis and to enable firmer conclusions to be drawn.
