TOWARDS URBAN ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY: MANAGEMENT AND CHALLENGES OF ELECTRONIC WASTE IN MAIDUGURI METROPOLIS, BORNO STATE

The study aimed to assess the Management and challenges of electronic waste in
Maiduguri Metropolis. The objectives of the study were to identify the types of E-waste owned by the
electronic repair technicians, determine the Level of awareness of electronic waste, examine the
environmental and health effects of E-waste, and to identify the disposal and management practices
employed by the respondents. Questionnaire and interview techniques were used in gathering
information from 254 Electronic repair technicians selected through purposive and systematic
random sampling techniques. Descriptive statistic was used to analyze the result. The study revealed
that electronic repairer is a male dominated occupation with a mean age of 20.5. Scrap mobile
phones were the major electronic waste found in the electronic repair technician’s workshop as
indicated by 55.2%. The Study revealed that majority of the respondents displayed a notable lack of
awareness regarding the adverse environmental and health effects of e-waste, knowledge regarding
legislation and proper management of the waste. The study also uncovered improper disposal
measures for e-waste, as most of the electronic repairers mixed their e-waste with any other solid
wastes and dispose to the collection sites or throw them to the surrounding area. Furthermore,
majority of e-waste collection and recycling work is done by manually dismantling of the obsolete
equipment using primitive tools and methods such as unsafe burning and melting to separate metals,
due to absence of recycling facilities. The study recommended that relevant authorities should
prioritize raising awareness regarding e-waste management and the existing e-waste legislation that
enables proper management practices. In addition, the creation of e-waste collection and recycling
centers in the study area will encourage sustainable practices and promote environmentally friendly
approaches within the e-waste industry and ultimately contribute to sustainable development in the
long term.