Assessment Of Knowledge And Disposal Practices Of Spent And Broken Energy-Saving Bulbs Among Households In Mtendere Compound Zambia

The widespread adoption of energy-saving bulbs like light-emitting diodes and compact fluorescent lamps in Zambia has raised significant environmental and public health issues because some of these bulbs contain dangerous materials like mercury. This study sought to evaluate households' understanding and disposal practices of used and damaged energy-saving bulbs in Lusaka, Zambia's Mtendere Compound. A cross-sectional design was used, with structured questionnaires distributed to a randomly chosen sample of households. The research showed that, although most participants were aware of the energy efficiency advantages of these bulbs, they had little understanding of their possible health risks and safe disposal procedures. The majority of households reported throwing away broken and used bulbs with their regular household trash, while only a small percentage followed the suggested disposal procedures. Environmental contamination and heightened health risks are exacerbated by a lack of awareness and inadequate municipal waste management systems for hazardous household waste. The research advocates for improved public education initiatives, the creation of specific collection sites for dangerous waste, and the formulation of explicit national regulations and policies for the handling of discarded and damaged energy-saving bulbs. In rapidly urbanizing areas like Mtendere, tackling these issues is essential for protecting public health and advancing environmental sustainability. Key Words: Knowledge, Practices, Waste Disposal, and Mercury coated bulbs