Quality and Safety Assessment of Recycled Plastic Products from Local Recycling Industries in Kano, Nigeria

This study assesses the quality and safety of recycled plastic products from eight recycling industries in Kano, Nigeria. This study focuses on eight recycling companies in Kano: Danta Plastic Tudun Murtala, Camel Recycle, Solid Chemical Resources Ltd., I.Y. Factory, Dan-Barazana Recycling, Gidan Bello Recycling, A.I. Duma Global, and Dawakin Dakata Recycling Company. These industries operate within informal and semi-formal frameworks, Mechanical and chemical analyses were conducted on 160 samples, including buckets, chairs, pipes, and basins. Results revealed tensile strength reductions ranging from 15–30% compared to virgin plastics, with contamination levels averaging 7–10%. Companies such as Dawakin Dakata and I.Y. Factory demonstrated relatively lower contamination and smaller strength reductions, while A.I. Duma Global and Solid Chemical Resources exhibited higher contamination and greater mechanical losses. The findings highlight a clear correlation between contamination levels and tensile strength reduction, underscoring the importance of feedstock quality control. Recommendations include standardized testing protocols, shared laboratory facilities, and improved sorting and washing practices to enhance product safety and reliability in Kano’s recycling sector.