IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/bcp/journl/v9y2025issue-45805-5825.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Challenges and Prospects of Metal Scavenging as a Strategy for Waste Reduction in Port Harcourt Metropolis, Rivers State, Nigeria

Author

Listed:
  • Ogboeli Goodluck Prince

    (Institute of Geo-Science and Environmental Management, Rivers State University, Nkpolu Oroworukwo, Port Harcourt)

  • Edim Ekpenyong Edim

    (Institute of Geo-Science and Environmental Management, Rivers State University, Nkpolu Oroworukwo, Port Harcourt)

  • Gospel Chimenma Dimkpa

    (Department of Public Health Sciences, Faculty of Basic Medical Science, College of Medical Science, Rivers State University, Nkpolu Oroworukwo, Port Harcourt)

  • Priscilia Nyekpunwo Ogbonda

    (Department of Public Health Sciences, Faculty of Basic Medical Science, College of Medical Science, Rivers State University, Nkpolu Oroworukwo, Port Harcourt)

  • Urombo Rosemary Ataenewan

    (Department of Public Health Sciences, Faculty of Basic Medical Science, College of Medical Science, Rivers State University, Nkpolu Oroworukwo, Port Harcourt)

Abstract

Waste scavenging presents a growing challenge for numerous municipalities and local authorities in Nigeria. Unfortunately, this issue has often been overlooked by officials due to a lack of understanding regarding its role in resource recovery and recycling. This research examined the obstacles and opportunities associated with metal scavenging as a method for waste reduction in the Port Harcourt Metropolis of Rivers State, Nigeria. Employing a purposive sampling approach, the study involved interviews with 234 waste pickers using semi-structured questionnaires. The data gathered encompassed demographic information of the waste pickers (including age, gender, marital status, and educational background) as well as socio-economic effects (such as income and health issues) related to waste scavenging. The findings indicated that the primary motivators for waste scavenging are poverty (58%) and unemployment (35%). Additionally, waste scavenging plays a crucial role in enhancing the livelihoods of waste pickers, with 93.3% generating income from the sale of recovered materials. A significant majority (80%) of the waste pickers focus on scavenging metals, while a smaller proportion targets food items. The study concluded that, despite being overlooked, waste scavenging is vital for the livelihoods of waste pickers and contributes to waste management efforts in Port Harcourt. It is recommended that waste scavenging be regulated and incorporated into the formal waste management framework of Rivers State, potentially through the establishment of cooperatives for waste pickers that would be registered with the Rivers State Waste Management Agency and acknowledged within formal structures.

Suggested Citation

  • Ogboeli Goodluck Prince & Edim Ekpenyong Edim & Gospel Chimenma Dimkpa & Priscilia Nyekpunwo Ogbonda & Urombo Rosemary Ataenewan, 2025. "Challenges and Prospects of Metal Scavenging as a Strategy for Waste Reduction in Port Harcourt Metropolis, Rivers State, Nigeria," International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science, International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS), vol. 9(4), pages 5805-5825, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:bcp:journl:v:9:y:2025:issue-4:5805-5825
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.rsisinternational.org/journals/ijriss/Digital-Library/volume-9-issue-4/5805-5825.pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://rsisinternational.org/journals/ijriss/articles/challenges-and-prospects-of-metal-scavenging-as-a-strategy-for-waste-reduction-in-port-harcourt-metropolis-rivers-state-nigeria/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Martin Medina, 2008. "The Informal recycling Sector in Developing Countries : Organizing Waste Pickers to Enhance their Impact," World Bank Publications - Reports 10586, The World Bank Group.
    2. Navarrete-Hernández, Pablo & Navarrete-Hernandez, Nicolas, 2018. "Unleashing waste-pickers potential: supporting recycling cooperatives in Santiago de Chile," LSE Research Online Documents on Economics 85730, London School of Economics and Political Science, LSE Library.
    3. Sasaki, Shunsuke & Araki, Tetsuya & Tambunan, Armansyah Halomoan & Prasadja, Heru, 2014. "Household income, living and working conditions of dumpsite waste pickers in Bantar Gebang: Toward integrated waste management in Indonesia," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 89(C), pages 11-21.
    4. Navarrete-Hernandez, Pablo & Navarrete-Hernandez, Nicolas, 2018. "Unleashing Waste-Pickers’ Potential: Supporting Recycling Cooperatives in Santiago de Chile," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 101(C), pages 293-310.
    5. Ogwueleka, Toochukwu Chibueze, 2013. "Survey of household waste composition and quantities in Abuja, Nigeria," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 77(C), pages 52-60.
    6. Freek Colombijn & Martina Morbidini, 2017. "Pros and cons of the formation of waste-pickers’ cooperatives: a comparison between Brazil and Indonesia," DECISION: Official Journal of the Indian Institute of Management Calcutta, Springer;Indian Institute of Management Calcutta, vol. 44(2), pages 91-101, June.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Anna Barford & Saffy Rose Ahmad, 2021. "A Call for a Socially Restorative Circular Economy: Waste Pickers in the Recycled Plastics Supply Chain," Circular Economy and Sustainability, Springer, vol. 1(2), pages 761-782, September.
    2. Crystal Kwan & Ho-Chung Tam, 2022. "Leaving No One behind in Healthy Ageing: A Unique Sub-Group, the “Cardboard Grannies of Hong Kong”," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(15), pages 1-22, August.
    3. Jean Pierre Doussoulin & Cristian Colther, 2022. "Evaluating the Efficiency of Municipal Solid Waste Collection Services in Developing Countries: The Case of Chile," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(23), pages 1-19, November.
    4. Granados, Maria L. & Rosli, Ainurul & Gotsi, Manto, 2022. "Staying poor: Unpacking the process of barefoot institutional entrepreneurship failure," Journal of Business Venturing, Elsevier, vol. 37(3).
    5. Cidrick Kasinja & Elizabeth Tilley, 2018. "Formalization of Informal Waste Pickers’ Cooperatives in Blantyre, Malawi: A Feasibility Assessment," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(4), pages 1-17, April.
    6. Ísis Amorim de Oliveira, 2021. "Environmental Justice and Circular Economy: Analyzing Justice for Waste Pickers in Upcoming Circular Economy in Fortaleza, Brazil," Circular Economy and Sustainability, Springer, vol. 1(3), pages 815-834, November.
    7. María José Zapata Campos & Sebastián Carenzo & Goodluck Charles & Jutta Gutberlet & Jaan-Henrik Kain & Michael O Oloko & Jessica Pérez Reynosa & Patrik Zapata, 2023. "Grassroots innovations in ‘extreme’ urban environments. The inclusive recycling movement," Environment and Planning C, , vol. 41(2), pages 351-374, March.
    8. Juliette F. Bermudez & Ana M. Montoya-Ruiz & Juan F. Saldarriaga, 2019. "Assessment of the Current Situation of Informal Recyclers and Recycling: Case Study Bogotá," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(22), pages 1-18, November.
    9. Ernest Kimbugwe & Olurominiyi O. Ibitayo, 2014. "Analysis of characteristics, activities, and exposure to vermin of human landfill scavengers in a developing nation," Environment Systems and Decisions, Springer, vol. 34(2), pages 358-365, June.
    10. Martin Medina, 2010. "Solid Wastes, Poverty and the Environment in Developing Country Cities: Challenges and Opportunities," WIDER Working Paper Series wp-2010-023, World Institute for Development Economic Research (UNU-WIDER).
    11. Amornchai Challcharoenwattana & Chanathip Pharino, 2015. "Co-Benefits of Household Waste Recycling for Local Community’s Sustainable Waste Management in Thailand," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 7(6), pages 1-21, June.
    12. Pegels, Anna & Heyer, Stefanie & Ohlig, David & Kurz, Felix & Laux, Lena & Morley, Prescott, 2021. "¿Es sostenible el reciclaje? Propuestas para conciliar los aspectos sociales, ecológicos y económicos en Argentina," IDOS Discussion Papers 10/2021, German Institute of Development and Sustainability (IDOS).
    13. Pradeep Kumar Meena & Amit Pal & Samsher, 2024. "Characterization, utility, and interrelationship of household organic waste generation in academic campus for the production of biogas and compost: a case study," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 26(1), pages 2687-2713, January.
    14. Tong, Xin & Tao, Dongyan, 2016. "The rise and fall of a “waste city” in the construction of an “urban circular economic system”: The changing landscape of waste in Beijing," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 107(C), pages 10-17.
    15. Daniel Baratieri Valente & Ricardo César da Silva Guabiroba & Marco Antonio Conejero & Marcelino Aurélio Vieira Silva & Aldara da Silva César, 2021. "Economic analysis of waste electrical and electronic equipment management: a study involving recycling cooperatives in Brazil," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 23(12), pages 17628-17649, December.
    16. Naila Kabeer, 2018. "Women Workers and the Politics of Claims Making: The Local and the Global," Development and Change, International Institute of Social Studies, vol. 49(3), pages 759-789, May.
    17. Xu, Dafeng, 2024. "Effect of environmental regulation on sustainable household waste management in Nigeria," Utilities Policy, Elsevier, vol. 91(C).
    18. Ronak Jain & Vatsal Khandelwal, 2024. "Silent networks: the role of inaccurate beliefs in reducing useful social interactions," ECON - Working Papers 455, Department of Economics - University of Zurich.
    19. Colenbrander, Sarah & Gouldson, Andy & Sudmant, Andrew Heshedahl & Papargyropoulou, Effie, 2015. "The economic case for low-carbon development in rapidly growing developing world cities: A case study of Palembang, Indonesia," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 80(C), pages 24-35.
    20. Jacqueline Mosomi & Wendy Cunningham, 2024. "Profiling green jobs and workers in South Africa: An occupational tasks approach," SALDRU Working Papers 305, Southern Africa Labour and Development Research Unit, University of Cape Town.

    More about this item

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:bcp:journl:v:9:y:2025:issue-4:5805-5825. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Dr. Pawan Verma (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://rsisinternational.org/journals/ijriss/ .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.