Waste to Wealth: Scrap Metal Scavenging Business in Nigeria.
Today, I'm going to guide you through the process of transforming waste into wealth by exploring the scrap metal business in Nigeria.
But first, if you missed my previous blog, you can catch up by clicking the link below.
https://www.bulbapp.io/p/7d373de2-06f7-4f86-9352-d506fd0b3d72/improper-disposal-of-electronic-waste-in-nigeria-a-call-for-sustainable-change?s_id=e3b0f9d2-a56d-4385-93d2-4dbc3ee912ae
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In the shadow of city lights, amidst urban blight,
A treasure hunt begins, from dusk to morning light.
From cluttered streets to rusty heaps,
Where waste lies forgotten, a promise to keep.
The alchemy of hands, transforming old to new,
Scrap metal scavengers pave the way through.
From rusty iron and tangled wire,
A hidden wealth, a heart's desire.
In shadows deep where trash does lie,
A hand that seeks the worth nearby.
In alleys dark and fields of dust,
The hunt begins with silent trust.
A glint of gold, a flash of tin,
From chaos, they know where to begin.
From broken glass and metal frames,
They gather treasures, unknown names.
Old engines hum, forgotten parts,
A wealth of metals, born from hearts.
The weight of scraps on weary backs,
Transforming lives along their tracks.
A journey long, a story told,
From waste to wealth, from old to gold.
These hands that labor, sort, and glean,
Create a world both lost and seen.
The earth, a little lighter made,
As scavengers turn their humble trade.
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Background:
In Nigeria, an economy largely driven by the informal sector, scrap metal scavenging offers a path from waste to wealth. The practice of collecting discarded metal items and transforming them into valuable resources plays an essential role in the country's economy and environmental sustainability. Here's an in-depth look at the scrap metal scavenging business in Nigeria, its processes, and how it supports sustainable development.
Handpicking Scrap Metals:
Scrap metal scavengers begin their work in various locations such as wastelands, beer parlors, and nightclubs, one will start to wonder what is the connection between the scrap metal and beer parlors and night clubs . Well, whats of importance is the bottle cork. Its a normal practice seeing metal scarvengers using magnets to sweep the surroundings of these joints for possibility of picking metal bottle covers where metal is discarded carelessly or sorting the waste of these clubs for the possibility of picking anything metallic.
Image of "Bola Boy" picking metal scraps such as bottle covers with the aid of a magnet sourced from an old music speaker component.
Mechanic repairers' junkyards are also a rich source of scrap metal, including car parts and machinery pieces.
Image of mechanic Junkyard with assemblage of scrap metals from carparts
Another popular source of scrap metal picking is home to home source for a plastic replacement, this is in form of a trade by batter where owners of scrap metal provide these metals for an exchange for a new plastic product. The people engaged in this form of sourcing are often refered to as Bola Boys.
Further, scrap metal can be obtained from construction sites. During renovations, old reinforcement bars are often collected as scraps, while new construction sites yield off-cuts of reinforcement that are no longer usable for building projects.
Image of unused reinforcement bars from construction site
Sorting and Compressing Scrap Metals:
After collecting the metals, scavengers sort them into different categories such as ferrous (iron and steel) and non-ferrous (copper, aluminum, and brass) metals. Once sorted, these metals are compressed to save space and facilitate transportation. Compression also ensures that the different types of metals are properly managed, reducing contamination.
Sorted and compressed scrap metal ready for weighing and transportation.
Weighing and Transporting Scrap Metals:
Scavengers then weigh the sorted and compressed scrap metals to determine their value. This process is crucial for pricing and transactions. The scrap metals are transported to local recycling plants, where they are further processed and sold to manufacturers. In some cases, the scrap metals are exported to foreign recycling plants, contributing to international trade.
Scrap metal ready to be transported for export to foreign recycling plant
Conversion of Scrap Metals to Wealth:
The recycling process begins once the scrap metals reach the recycling plants. These metals are melted down and purified to produce new materials, which are then sold to industries for manufacturing new products. By recycling metals, scavengers contribute to reducing the demand for virgin materials, lowering energy consumption, and minimizing environmental pollution.
Sustainable Development Goals and Recycling:
The practice of recycling scrap metal aligns with several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):
- Goal 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
By recycling metals, Nigeria conserves natural resources and reduces the environmental impact of metal production.
- Goal 13: Climate Action
Recycling scrap metal significantly reduces greenhouse gas emissions compared to mining new metals.
- Goal 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
The scrap metal scavenging business creates jobs and income opportunities for many Nigerians, contributing to economic development. By transforming discarded metals into new materials, the scrap metal scavenging business plays a critical role in promoting sustainability in Nigeria.
Conclusion:
The scrap metal scavenging business in Nigeria is more than just a means of income; it is a key player in the country's journey towards sustainability. By engaging in recycling and reducing waste, the business supports the achievement of multiple SDGs while contributing to a greener, more prosperous future for all.
References:
- United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. [https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/sustainable-development-goals/](https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/sustainable-development-goals/)
- Nigerian Bureau of Statistics. [https://nigerianstat.gov.ng/](https://nigerianstat.gov.ng/)
- World Bank Group. "Nigeria - Overview." [https://www.worldbank.org/en/country/nigeria/overview](https://www.worldbank.org/en/country/nigeria/overview)
Thank you!
