APPRAISAL OF ELECTRONIC WASTE MANAGEMENT IN MASAKA, KARU LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, NASARAWA STATE NIGERIA

Technological development has led to the production not only electrical and electronic equipment but also to increase in scraps generation. The rapid movements in electronic industry, e-waste including obsolete and substandard electronic products have become the fastest growing components in the solid waste stream in Masaka and this waste contained toxic chemical elements that pose serious environmental threats. The paper examined electronic waste management system and the environmental effects on Masaka, Karu Local Government Area. Materials for the study structured oral interviews and field observations. The results of the study show that e-waste products are generated from the use of electrical/electronic equipments such as battery, electrical cables, televisions, radio repair workshops, cell, phones, computer parts and accessories among others. The rate of generation has been exacerbated by increased in population and technological upgrading due to increase in economic wellbeing of the people. The result also shows that the e- wastes are indiscriminately dumped on open spaces or streets. There is neither characterization of this e-waste non organized recycling, except by local scavengers (yan bolas) that operate backyard recycling by disassembling or open burning of the e-waste to extract materials of immediate use such as cable, plastic, ICs, transistors and metals leaving behind the toxic metals which are potent pollutants. E-wastes are known to contain toxic heavy metals that are linked to major were obtained from ailments peculiar to humans. The paper therefore recommends strong legislation enforcement on importation of obsolete and substandard electrical and electronic products and a good e-waste handling and recycling strategies that are economic and environmental friendly.