Resilience in waste management: A socioeconomic context for managing spent lithium batteries in Southeastern Nigeria

Abstract

The global value chain (GVC) recognizes post production processes that involve socio economic engagements of stakeholders with electrical and electronic equipment (EEE or e-products) at their near or end of life. This paper attempts to measure some of the key social, economic, environmental, and sustainability indicators in line with GVC for lithium-ion batteries from e-products at their near or end of life. The assessment was based on the socioeconomic impacts on the battery sector for managing spent lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries in Southeastern Nigeria. The study methodology highlighted strategic features in line with socioeconomic assessment by deploying questionnaire administration. Ten (10) local government areas (LGAs) were purposely selected from five mutually exclusive States, with 100 stakeholders investigated. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze data for innovation potentials for the battery recycling/refurbishing sector, and discussed accordingly under sustainability, social, economic and environmental impacts. The socioeconomic drivers (or outcomes) for the recycling and refurbishing of lithium ion batteries touched on self-sustainability, institutionalization, service demand, service utilization and prevalence.