Assessment of the activities of scavengers and their economic impacts in waste recovery in Warri metropolis, Delta State Nigeria

Abstract

This study analyzed the informal activities carried out by scavenger/waste handlers around open waste dumpsites in the Warri Metropolis. Onsite assessments were made to the dumpsites and data generated were analyzed using descriptive statistics, percentages and graphs. The study revealed that though co-operatives exist in each of the dumpsites, they are not formally registered with the local government authorities. Scrapped metals, plastics, polyethylene, and cans were the main types of waste recovered. Recovered items are sold onsite or moved to nearby popular markets where there exist big retailers, while scrapped irons are recycled at the Delta Steel Company. Some of the smaller plastic bottles are sold in the popular local markets for individuals and private people like peanut seller, juice and bottle water distributors and local/native medicine dealers called “agbo”. It was observed that although less than five percent of dumped wastes were recovered, each of the waste dumpsite has in its employment more than fifteen households working all year round.  Results showed that scavengers have an important role in the informal solid waste management especially in term of waste reduction, minimization and material recovery. For effective waste management, government and policy makers are advised to legalise waste scavenging, merge them into recognised co-operatives, enforce safety sanitary conditions and implement voluntary waste segregation at source by household, industries, companies and government establishment.

Keywords: Waste, dumpsites, households, scavengers, Warri metropolis