ASSESSMENT OF ELECTRONIC WASTE GENERATION, TOXIC EXPOSURE PATHWAYS AND DEVELOPMENT OF A SUSTAINABLE EWASTE RECOVERY FRAMEWORK IN POLYTECHNICS IN SOUTHWEST NIGERIA

Abstract

Electronic waste is among the fastest-growing waste streams, and in
Nigeria much of it is handled informally through methods that release
hazardous substances. This study assessed electronic waste generation
and toxic exposure pathways in polytechnics in South-West Nigeria and
developed a sustainable e-waste recovery framework. A mixed-methods
assessment-and-development design was used, combining an inventory
of e-waste, sampling of soil, water and air at handling points for heavy
metals, surveys and interviews on awareness and management, and
expert appraisal of the framework. The six polytechnics generated 41.5
tonnes of e-waste annually (mean 6.9 tonnes per institution),
comprising computers (33.3%), laboratory equipment (24.6%),
workshop equipment (18.3%), peripherals (13.9%) and other
electronics (9.8%). Handling was predominantly unsafe: 54.2% was
stored indefinitely, 25.0% disposed of with general waste and only
2.1% formally recycled. Lead exceeded guidelines in 72.2% of soil
samples and 83.3% of water samples. Awareness of e-waste hazards
was low (25.8%), and 79.2% of units had no management policy. The
framework (collection and segregation, safe storage, reuse and
refurbishment, materials recovery, and institutional arrangements) was
rated highly by experts for feasibility (3.60), sustainability (3.80) and
health protection (3.80). The study provides an inventory, an exposure
assessment and a validated recovery framework for Nigerian
polytechnics.