Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

A Mixed Methods Approach to Vulnerability and Quality of Life Assessment of Waste Picking in Urban Nigeria

  • Published:
Applied Research in Quality of Life Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Quality of life (QoL) studies have become acceptable globally as indicators of how well a people are living. They are increasingly being used to identify and design areas of intervention to raise the wellbeing of a population. While studies on livelihoods in the informal waste recycling system of developing country cities have also been on the increase in recent years, assessments of the QoL expectations within the livelihoods framework in the informal waste recycling sector seem surprisingly few. Studies of this nature have also not been undertaken in the context of Nigerian socio-political, cultural and economic environment. Applying qual-dominant mixed methods approach to the livelihood activity of waste picking in the commercial city of Aba in southeastern Nigeria, this paper identifies predominant social indicators relevant to the Aba scavengers, waste pickers’ perceptions and QoL expectations, and potential outcomes of meeting the QoL expectations of waste pickers in the area. It also categorizes pickers’ vulnerabilities into four levels of increasing magnitude. Given that African social dynamics do not always or often find expression, fully or partially, in figures, the paper stresses the need to apply ethnographic and qualitative research methods in assessment of QoL and wellbeing in the informal waste recycling system. It further argues that integrating QoL assessments into public decision-making and social policy in Nigeria will contribute significantly towards meeting some of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) while also engendering sustainable urban livelihood outcomes.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3

Similar content being viewed by others

Notes

  1. The waste economy consists of all formal and informal economic activities and all paid and unpaid activities associated with the management of waste (Maclaren and Thu 2003, p.7).

  2. By vulnerability is meant a condition in which people face a high risk of experiencing serious forms of deprivation that threaten their well-being, and a limited capacity to cope with those threats (Schütte 2006).

  3. By qual-dominant mixed methods we imply that there is a preponderance of qualitative methods with only a limited reliance on quantification. De Lisle (2011) argues that designs, in which the qualitative is lead or dominant, are most useful for exploring complex and multiplex social issues.

  4. A related study found that waste picking in Aba is a highly gendered occupation with males constituting about 96 % of pickers.

  5. Quotations used in this section are derived from transcriptions of authors’ field notes in Aba, October to December 2010.

  6. *USD$ 1 is approximately equal to N 150

References

  • Aba South Local Government Area. (2006). Aba South Local Empowerment and Development Strategy (ASLEEDS). Umuahia: Abia State Planning Commission.

    Google Scholar 

  • Abia State of Nigeria. (2005). Abia State Economic Empowerment and Development Strategy (ABSEEDS). Umuahia: Abia State Planning Commission.

    Google Scholar 

  • Adama, O. (2011). The politics of informality: An insight into the informal solid waste recycling sector in Kaduna, Nigeria. Paper presented at the 4th European Conference on African Studies (ECAS 4) African Engagements: On whose terms? The Nordic Africa Institute, Uppsala, Sweden, 15–18 June.

  • Adama-Ajonye, O. (2011). Beyond dysfunctionality: Recycling in Kaduna. In L. Lorentz & M. Sköld (Eds.), The rise of Africa: Miracle or mirage? Annual report 2010 (pp. 38–40). Uppsala: Nordiska Afrikainstitutet.

    Google Scholar 

  • Adeyemi, A. S., Olorunfemi, J. F., & Adewoye, T. O. (2001). Waste scavenging in Third World cities: A case study in Ilorin, Nigeria. The Environmentalist, 21(2), 93–96.

    Google Scholar 

  • Adewuya, A. O., Afolabi, M. O., Ola, B. A., Ogundele, O. A., Ajibare, A. O., Oladipo, B. F., & Fakande, I. (2008). Relationship between depression and quality of life in persons with HIV infection in Nigeria. The International Journal of Psychiatry in Medicine, 38(1), 43–51.

    Google Scholar 

  • Agbo, A. A., Nzeadibe, T. C., & Ajaero, C. K. (2012). Happiness in Nigeria: A socio-cultural analysis. In H. Selin & G. Davey (Eds.), Happiness across cultures: Views of happiness and quality of life in non-western cultures (pp. 293–310). Dodrecht: Springer Science+Business Media B.V. doi:10.1007/978-94-007-2700-7_20.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Agunwamba, J. C. (2003). Analysis of scavengers' activities and recycling in some cities of Nigeria. Environmental Management, 32(1), 116–127.

    Google Scholar 

  • Akinpelu, A. O., & Gbiri, C. A. (2009). Quality of life of stroke survivors and apparently healthy individuals in Southwestern Nigeria. Physiotherapy Theory and Practice, 25(1), 14–20. doi:10.1080/09593980802622669.

  • Akinpelu, A. O., Akinola, O. T., & Gbiri, C. A. (2009). Adiposity and quality of life: A case study from an urban center in Nigeria . Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior, 41(5), 347–352. doi:10.1016/j.jneb.2009.01.006.

    Google Scholar 

  • Alasuutari, P. (1995). Researching culture: Qualitative method and cultural studies. London: Sage Publications.

    Google Scholar 

  • Barratt, L., & Diyoke, I. O. (2003a). Solid waste management improvement pilot project in Enugu City—phase 1. Consultant’s Report No. 47, State and Local Government programme. Enugu: Department for International Development (DFID).

  • Barratt, L., & Diyoke, I. O. (2003b). Solid waste management improvement pilot project in Enugu City. Consultant’s Report No. 14, State and Local Government programmeme. Enugu: Department for International Development (DFID).

  • Baud, I., Grafakos, S., Hordijk, M., & Post, J. (2001). Quality of life and alliances in solid waste management: contributions to urban sustainable development. Cities, 18(1), 3–12.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bezruchka, S. (2010). What indicators should be presented to Americans so we don’t die so young? Applied Research in Quality of Life, 5(4), 265–272.

    Google Scholar 

  • Brata, A. G. (2010). Vulnerability of urban informal sector: street vendors in Yogyakarta, Indonesia. Theoretical and Empirical Researches in Urban Management, 5(14), 47–58.

    Google Scholar 

  • Calestani, M. (2009). An anthropology of ‘the good life’ in the Bolivian Plateau. Social Indicators Research, 90, 141–153. doi:10.1007/s11205-008-9317-5.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • CODESRIA (2010). Sub-Regional Methodology Workshops for Social Research in Africa: 2010 session for Nigeria and other Anglophone West and Central African Countries. 23–27 August, 2010 University of Ibadan, Nigeria.

  • Creswell, J. W., Shope, R., Plano Clark, V. L., & Green, D. (2006). How interpretive qualitative research extends mixed methods research. Research in the Schools, 13(1), 1–11.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dabir-Alai, P. (2004). The economics of street vending: An empirical framework for measuring vulnerability in Dehli in the late 1990s. Paper presented at the EDGI and UNU-WIDER Conference, Unlocking Human Potential: Linking Informal and Formal Sectors, 17–18 September 2004, Helsinki, Finland.

  • De Lisle, J. (2011). The benefits and challenges of mixing methods and methodologies: lessons learnt from implementing qualitatively led mixed methods research designs in Trinidad and Tobago. Caribbean Curriculum, 18, 87–120.

    Google Scholar 

  • DFID (1999). Sustainable livelihoods guidance sheets. DFID, London. Available at www.livelihoods.org.

  • Dunning, H., Williams, A., Abonyi, S., & Crooks, V. (2008). A mixed method approach to quality of life research: a case study approach. Social Indicators Research, 85, 145–158. doi:10.1007/s11205-007-9131-5.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ejechi, E. O., & Ejechi, B. O. (2008). Safe drinking water and satisfaction with environmental quality of life in some oil and gas industry impacted cities of Nigeria. Social Indicators Research, 85(2), 211–222. doi:10.1007/s11205-007-9086-6.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ejigu, A. G. (2011). Coupling informality with formality: Ideas for innovative housing and urban development strategy. Paper presented at the 4th European Conference on African Studies (ECAS 4) African Engagements: On whose terms? The Nordic Africa Institute, Uppsala, Sweden, 15–18 June.

  • Ezeah, C., Roberts, C. L., Phillips, P. S., Mbeng, L. O., & Nzeadibe, T. C. (2009). Evaluation of Public health impacts of waste scavenging in Abuja Nigeria using Q-Methodology. In: Proceedings of the International Solid Waste Association (ISWA) World Congress 2009: Turning waste into ideas. Lisbon, Portugal, 12–15th October. Available at http://www.iswa.it/materiali/iswa_apesb_2009/6-358paper_long.pdf.

  • Faninger, T. (2011). Reducing vulnerability of developing countries recyclers to global markets: a case study of plastic recyclers in Kenya. Communications in Waste & Resource Management, 12(1), 1–3.

    Google Scholar 

  • Federal Ministry of Environment. (2000). Blueprint on municipal solid waste management in Nigeria. Abuja: Federal Ministry of Environment.

    Google Scholar 

  • Getis, A., Getis, J., & Fellman, J. D. (2004). Introduction to geography (9th ed.). New York: McGraw-Hill.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gutberlet, J., Tremblay, C., Taylor, E., & Divakarannair, N. (2009). Who are our informal recyclers? An inquiry to uncover crisis and potential in Victoria, Canada. Local Environment, 14(8), 733–747.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hoellerer, N. I. J. (2010). The use of qualitative and ethnographic research to enhance the measurement and operationalisation of gross national happiness. Journal of Bhutan Studies, 23(2), 26–54. Retrieved from http://www.bhutanstudies.org.bt/pubFiles/V23-2.pdf.

    Google Scholar 

  • International Labour Office (2002). Decent work and the informal economy: Abstracts of working papers. Employment Sector, International Labour Office, Geneva.

  • Kitchen, P., & Muhajarine, N. (2008). Quality of life research: new challenges and new opportunities. Social Indicators Research, 85, 1–4. doi:10.1007/s11205-007-9130-6.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kofoworola, O. F. (2007). Recovery and recycling practices in municipal solid waste management in Lagos, Nigeria. Waste Management, 27(9), 139–1143.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lindeman, S., Halme, M., Kallio, G., Kourula, A., Lima-Toivanen, M., Korsunova, A., & Peltonen, T. (2010). Doing ethnographic research among low-income people in emerging markets. Paper presented at Qualitative Research Conference, University of Vaasa, Finland, June 1–3, 2010.

  • Mabweazara, H. M. (2010). Researching the use of new technologies (ICTs) in Zimbabwean newsrooms: an ethnographic approach. Qualitative Research, 10, 659–677. doi:10.1177/1468794110380516.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Maciel, R. H., Santos, J. B. F., Matos, T. G. R., Meireles, G. F., Vieira, M. E. A., & Fontenelle, M. F. (2010). Work, health and organisation of street scavengers in Fortaleza, Brazil. Policy and Practice in Health and Safety, 2, 95–112.

    Google Scholar 

  • Maclaren, V., & Thu, N. T. A (eds.) (2003). Gender and the waste economy: Vietnamese and International Experiences. Hanoi: National political publisher.

  • Madsen, L. M., & Adriansen, H. K. (2004). Understanding the use of rural space: the need for multi-methods. Journal of Rural Studies, 20(4), 485–497. doi:10.1016/j.jrurstud.2003.12.005.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Masocha, M. (2006). Informal waste harvesting in Victoria Falls town, Zimbabwe: socio-economic benefits. Habitat International, 30(4), 838–848.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mason, J. (2006). Mixing methods in a qualitatively driven way. Qualitative Research, 6(1), 9–25.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Meagher, K. (2009). Trading on faith: religious movements and informal economic governance in Nigeria. The Journal of Modern African Studies, 47(3), 397–423.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Meagher, K. (2010). The tangled web of associational life: urban governance and the politics of popular livelihoods in Nigeria. Urban Forum, 21(3), 299–313.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Meagher, K. (2011). Informal economies and urban governance in Nigeria: popular empowerment or political exclusion? African Studies Review, 54(2), 47–72.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Medina, M. (2000). Scavenger cooperatives in Asia and Latin America. Resources, Conservation and Recycling, 31(1), 51–69.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Medina, M. (2007). The world’s scavengers: Salvaging for sustainable consumption and production. Lanham: AltaMira Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Muoghalu, L. N., & Okoye, A. C. (2010). Solid waste management and economic growth: a preliminary report of a case study of scavenging activity in Anambra State. Tropical Built Environment Journal, 1(1), 73–82.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nwafor, J. C. (2004). Recycling and re-use of solid waste in Enugu State. Consultant’s Final Report, State and Local Government Programme, Department for International Development (DFID), Enugu.

  • Nzeadibe, T. C. (2006). Cash for Trash. CIWM Journal for Waste and Resource Management Professionals, 32–33.

  • Nzeadibe, T. C. (2009a). Solid waste reforms and informal recycling in Enugu urban area, Nigeria. Habitat International, 33(1), 93–99.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nzeadibe, T. C. (2009b). Development drivers of waste recycling in Nsukka urban area, Southeastern Nigeria. Theoretical and Empirical Researches in Urban Management, 3(12), 137–149.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nzeadibe, T. C., & Ajaero, C. K. (2010a). Informal waste recycling and urban governance in Nigeria: Some experiences and policy implications. In J. Meijer & A. der Berg (Eds.), Handbook of environmental policy (pp. 245–264). New York: Nova Publishers.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nzeadibe, T. C., & Ajaero, C. K. (2010b). Assessment of socio-economic characteristics and quality of life expectations in rural communities of Enugu State, Nigeria. Applied Research in Quality of Life, 5(4), 353–371.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nzeadibe, T. C., & Ajaero, C. K. (2011). Development impact of advocacy initiatives in solid waste management in Nigeria. Environment, Development and Sustainability, 13(1), 163–177.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nzeadibe, T. C., & Anyadike, R. N. C. (2010). Solid waste governance innovations: an appraisal of recent developments in the informal sector niche in urban Nigeria. Geography Compass, 4(9), 1284–1296. doi:10.1111/j.1749-8198.2010.00385.x.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nzeadibe, T. C., & Eziuzor, O. J. (2006). Waste scavenging and recycling in Onitsha urban area, Nigeria. CIWM Scientific and Technical Review, 7(1), 26–31.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nzeadibe, T. C., & Iwuoha, H. C. (2008). Informal waste recycling in Lagos, Nigeria. Communications in Waste & Resource Management (CWRM), 9(1), 24–30.

    Google Scholar 

  • Okafor, F. C. (1985). Measuring rural development in Nigeria: the place of social indicators. Social Indicators Research, 16(1), 69–76. doi:10.1007/BF00317660.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Okpoko, P. U., & Ezeh, P.-J. (2005). Traditions of ethnographic studies in Africa: A critique. In P. U. Okpoko & P.-J. Ezeh (Eds.), Methods in qualitative research (pp. 133–143). Nsukka: Great AP Publishers.

    Google Scholar 

  • Oluwoye, O. R. (1990). Determinants of quality of rural life in Nigeria: the women’s view. Social Indicators Research, 22(3), 277–286. doi:10.1007/BF00301102.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Oyebanji, J. O. (1982). Quality of life in Kwara State, Nigeria: an exploratory geographical study. Social Indicators Research, 11(3), 301–317. doi:10.1007/BF00351839.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Oyebanji, J. O. (1986). Social policy and social inequality in Nigeria: examples from four states, using indicators of level of living approach. GeoJournal, 12(1), 111–114. doi:10.1007/BF00213029.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Panos Oral Testimony Programme. (2003). Giving voice—practical guidelines for implementing oral testimony projects. London: Panos Institute.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pichardo-Muñiz, A. (2011). The role of diseconomies of transportation and public safety problems in the measurement of urban quality of life. Applied Research in Quality of Life, 6(4), 363–386. doi:10.1007/s11482-010-9134-2.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Revell, K. (2010). Working with informality: Increasing resilience in cities of the Global South. Paper presented at 46th ISOCARP Congress 2010, Nairobi, Kenya.

  • Rouse, J. R., & Ali, S. M. (2001). Waste pickers in Dhaka: Using the sustainable livelihoods approach—key findings and field notes. Loughborough, University, UK: Water, Engineering and Development Centre.

  • Salau, A. T. (1986). Quality of life and city size: an exploratory study of Nigeria. Social Indicators Research, 18(2), 193–203. doi:10.1007/BF00317548.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Santos, L. D., Martins, I., & Brito, P. (2007). Measuring subjective quality of life: a survey to Porto’s residents. Applied Research in Quality of Life, 2, 51–64.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schenck, R., & Blaauw, P. F. (2011). The work and lives of street waste pickers in Pretoria—a case study of recycling in South Africa’s urban informal economy. Urban Forum, 22(4), 411–430.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schütte, S. (2006). Poor, poorer, poorest: Urban livelihoods and vulnerability in Mazar-i-Sharif. Case study series. Kabul: Afghanistan Research and Evaluation Unit (AREU).

    Google Scholar 

  • UN-HABITAT. (2003). The challenge of slums: Global report on human settlements 2003. London: Earthscan.

    Google Scholar 

  • UN-HABITAT. (2009). Planning sustainable cities: Global report on human settlements 2009. London: Earthscan.

    Google Scholar 

  • Watson, V. (2011). Inclusive urban planning for the working poor: Planning education trends and potential shifts. Urban Policies Research Report No. 11. Women in Informal Employment Globalising and Organising (WIEGO). Retrieved on 26:01:12 from http://www.inclusivecities.org/research/RR11_Watson.pdf.

  • Wilson, D. C., Velis, C., & Cheeseman, C. (2006). Role of informal sector recycling in waste management in developing countries. Habitat International, 30(4), 797–808.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yiftachel, O. (2009). Theoretical notes on ‘gray cities’: the coming of urban apartheid? Planning Theory, 8(1), 88–100.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

This research was supported by the International Foundation for Science (IFS), Stockholm, Sweden, through a grant to Thaddeus Chidi Nzeadibe. The authors also wish to express their gratitude to the two anonymous reviewers for their insightful comments that greatly improved the content and presentation of this article. Special thanks are due to the renowned Nigerian Ethnographer, Dr. P-J Ezeh of Department of Sociology and Anthropology, University of Nigeria, for introducing the lead author to Ethnography. Finally, contributions of the Research Participants and Field Assistants to the project are gratefully acknowledged.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Geography, University of Nigeria, 410001, Nsukka, Nigeria

    Thaddeus Chidi Nzeadibe & Raymond N. C. Anyadike

  2. Department of Environmental Technology, Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Nigeria

    Roseline F. Njoku-Tony

Authors
  1. Thaddeus Chidi Nzeadibe
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Raymond N. C. Anyadike
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Roseline F. Njoku-Tony
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Thaddeus Chidi Nzeadibe.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Nzeadibe, T.C., Anyadike, R.N.C. & Njoku-Tony, R.F. A Mixed Methods Approach to Vulnerability and Quality of Life Assessment of Waste Picking in Urban Nigeria. Applied Research Quality Life 7, 351–370 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11482-012-9171-0

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11482-012-9171-0

Keywords

Search

Navigation