Attitudes and Environmental Awareness of Vehicle Service Technicians in Generating and Disposing of Waste Lubricant Oil in Ghana: Barriers to the Circular Economy

Inappropriate handling and disposal of waste lubricant oil (WLO) can lead to detrimental effects on soil and water matrices. Despite the documented economic and energy value of WLO, developing countries have not yet harnessed these opportunities due to a lack of information on quantities generated, perceived value, and infrastructure for collection, reuse, recycling, or disposal. In this study, the quantity of WLO generated and attitudes and environmental awareness of vehicle service technicians (n=329) were assessed in seven regions of Ghana. The mean volume of WLO generated was 35.6 L/shop/week, with southern urban suburbs generating more than their northern counterparts. Most (53%) technicians dispose of WLO by selling it, while 83.3% are aware that inappropriate disposal is detrimental to the environment. However, 10% discarded the WLO into sewers and soil. About two-thirds (63%) of vehicle service technicians are willing to use waste management services to dispose of WLO, but only 33% are willing to pay for such services. The study shows that closing the circular economy loop for the lubricant oil sector will have minimal barriers. Municipal waste management companies should invest in WLO collection infrastructure to help drive the circular economy of synthetic lubricating oils, reduce the fire hazard posed by improper WLO storage, educate technicians to eradicate soil and water contamination from poor waste oil handling and disposal practices, and safeguard ecosystem and human health in developing countries.