Abstract
Growing demand for automobiles has logically led to the generation of huge quantities of used Lead-Acid Battery (LAB) which are usually found stockpiling in and around car-repair shops all over Ghana. The reclamation and recycling of spent LABs in the country is mainly unregulated and informal and therefore not done in a sustainable and eco-friendly manner. This paper estimates artisans’ willingness to pay (WTP) for the safe collection and recycling of used lead-acid batteries (LABs) with data collected through the contingent valuation method (CVM) from 102 artisans in the Kumasi Metropolis of Ghana. Artisans’ WTP and its determinants were estimated using Bayesian estimation of the interval data regression model. An estimated mean WTP of GH¢16.06 (US$3.87) was obtained for the safe removal and recycling of any one (1) spent LAB. Important artisan characteristics influencing willingness to pay positively are age and monthly income whereas experience influences willingness-to-pay negatively. Training received, awareness of risk of LABs to personal health, wearing of protective clothing, and other safety measures are significant awareness, knowledge and safety factors affecting WTP in a positive way. Sensitization on the health and environmental effects of LABs as well as the importance of taking safety measures should be given to artisans and should be mainly targeted at younger artisans.
Highlights
Lead-acid batteries are extensively used worldwide on a large scale
The findings of this study provide important policy implications for lead-acid batteries (LABs) handling and recycling in Ghana and possibly other developing countries with similar socio-economic characteristics, in Africa
A look at the variables measuring respondents’ awareness, knowledge and safety measures shows that 84% have received no training on the safe way of handling LABs; 21% are not aware of the possible risks of LABs to their own health; 84% are aware of the probable risk LABs pose to the
Summary
Lead-acid batteries (known as LABs) are extensively used worldwide on a large scale. Approximately 85% of the total world-wide consumption of lead is for the manufacture of LABs [1]. Battery repair workers are offered money for spent batteries, the current study estimates WTP and not WTA (willingness-to-accept) This is because theoretically, WTP and WTA measures should give similar amounts, empirical evidence has shown that large differences between the two measures have systematically been observed with WTA being two to four times and even more greater than WTP [25, 26]. This study estimates WTP and analyses the socioeconomic, knowledge, awareness and safety determinants of battery repair workers’ WTP for sustainable collection and recycling of spent automobile LABs in the Kumasi Metropolis using data collected through the CVM. This paper is novel in using stated preference to estimate WTP for sustainable collection and recycling of spent automobile LABs in a developing country.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
