Circular Economy and Sustainable Electronic Waste Management: Assessing Public Awareness and Access to Formal Waste Recycling Infrastructure in Ilorin Metropolis, Nigeria.
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Date
2024-12
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FULafia Journal of Social Sciences. Published by the Faculty of Social Sciences, Federal University Lafia, Nassarawa State, Nigeria.
Abstract
Nigeria is grappling with the problem of sustainable electronic waste (e-waste) management in all its urban communities. Through policy interventions, the Circular Economy (CE) model was introduced to manage the problem. CE model for e-waste management entails industrial production and post-consumption system that facilitate e-waste management through reduction, recovery, re-using, recycling and, redesigning. CE model also involve collaboration among all the stakeholders in the e-waste value chain, including the consumers of electrical and electronic products during the post-consumption phase. This study investigated public awareness and access to formal e-waste recycling infrastructure in Ilorin metropolis to fill identified gaps in literature. Data collection and analysis entailed both quantitative and qualitative methods. Study participants were selected using a combination of random and convenience sampling. They comprised 477 households that responded to the questionnaire survey, 30 households for in-depth interview and, four artisanal servicemen for key informant interview. Results revealed that approximately 11% of the respondents to the questionnaire survey reported awareness of formal e-waste recycling practices as a sustainable method for the management of e-waste. Furthermore, all the study respondents reported a lack of access to formal e-waste collection centres within the study city, no access to public or private organizations that incentivizes the formal collection of e-waste and, no access to government licensed recyclers. The results of qualitative data analysis also supported these findings. The study recommends public awareness creation and government investment in the necessary infrastructure to promote the CE model for sustainable e-waste management in the study community.
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Keywords
Circular economy, Extended producer responsibility, Electronic waste, Formal e-waste recycling, Ilorin metropolis, Nigeria
Citation
Olanrewaju, A. S. (2024). Circular Economy and Sustainable Electronic Waste Management: Assessing Public Awareness and Access to Formal Waste Recycling Infrastructure in Ilorin Metropolis, Nigeria. FULafia Journal of Social Sciences, 6(1): 20-35.