Characterisation of Electronic Waste Generation and Disposal Practices in Lagos State

This study characterises electronic waste generation patterns and examines the disposal practices of households and small businesses in Lagos State, South West Nigeria. E-waste is the fastest-growing waste stream in the world, and Nigeria is both a major importer of second-hand electronics and a significant e-waste generator, with Lagos serving as the primary hub for both consumption and informal recycling. A structured questionnaire survey was administered to 320 households and 80 small electronics businesses in six Lagos Local Government Areas selected to represent high, medium, and low-income zones. The survey collected data on the types and quantities of electronic items reaching end of life, the disposal methods employed, and awareness of formal e-waste collection systems. Physical weight sampling was conducted at informal e-waste processing sites in the Alaba International Market area to estimate composition by equipment category. Results indicate that mobile phones, laptops, and televisions are the dominant waste streams by item count, while refrigerators and washing machines dominate by weight. The majority of households report giving obsolete electronics to informal collectors or selling to the Alaba market, with formal take-back schemes known to fewer than 12 percent of respondents. Burning of plastic cable insulation to recover copper wire is observed at informal sites, generating toxic fumes. E-waste generation per capita in high-income zones is three times that of low-income zones. Recommendations include establishing certified e-waste collection centres and a producer responsibility scheme for electronics importers. Keywords: electronic waste, e-waste characterisation, disposal practices, Lagos, informal recycling.