Assessment of Waste Scavenging Activities in Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria

The study was focus on assessing waste scavenging activities in Calabar, Cross River State. Specifically, the study appraised the socioeconomic characteristics of solid waste scavengers in Calabar and analysed the contributions of scavengers in the waste management process. The study obtained data through questionnaire administration. A total of 50 copies of questionnaire were distributed purposively to waste scavengers in the study area while descriptive statistics was used in carrying out analysis. It was observed that scavenging is exclusively carried out by males and those between 31 years and 40 years dominate the waste scavenging process. It was equally revealed that the married form a larger percent of scavengers in the study area. Scavengers were observed to be engaged in picking up irons/metals, plastics, glasses, copper, bottles as well as vegetables and food remains. Scavengers are mainly involved in the exercise in order to enable them earn a living. Therefore, wastes materials that are pickup in the process are sold out to recycling companies. Specifically, iron scraps pickers sell them to iron recycling companies while vegetable waste pickers sell to fertilizer production companies. Very few scavengers use the wastes they pick up for personal uses. However, it was noted that scavengers contribute positively in the management of solid waste in Calabar. Based on the findings, it was suggested that waste sorting should be encouraged among youths through the organization of sensitization campaigns and the awareness since it has the potentials of reducing unemployment while promoting waste management. Equally, scavengers should be recognized by the government as managers in the waste sector and be given some incentive