Socio-Economic, Health and Environmental Aspects of Child Waste Picking Activity at Africa's Largest Dumpsite

Abstract

This study examined the social, economic, health, and environmental aspects of child waste picking at the Olusosun dumpsite in Lagos, Nigeria. A questionnaire was administered through the convenience sampling technique to 150 child waste pickers. Findings showed that recovering materials from the dumpsite involved physical energy and manually-operated rudimentary tools. A majority (62.0%) of the child waste pickers were males between 13 and 17 years (77.8%). The daily average income from their operation was N1 180 (N416.00 = $1.00). Although the child waste pickers were aware that waste picking exposed them to health and environmental hazards, they continued the operation for social and economic reasons. The study concluded by recommending a pragmatic regulatory framework for different actors' involvement, direct assistance program, and prohibition of children from engaging in waste picking, as well as educational policy measure to address the menace of child waste picking in Nigeria.