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Abstract

Rapid urbanization and weak waste infrastructure have intensified environmental degradation in Nigeria, particularly in the North-East. Scavenging has consequently emerged as a critical livelihood strategy and a complementary waste management practice. This study investigates the economic and environmental contributions of scavenging activities in North-Eastern Nigeria, emphasizing the moderating role of government support programs. Anchored on the Sustainable Livelihoods Framework, the study employed a quantitative research design using structured questionnaires administered to 245 respondents comprising scavengers, community leaders, government officials, and NGO representatives across major towns. Data were analyzed using STATA 15.0 through descriptive and inferential statistics. Results reveal that scavenging contributes moderately but significantly to household income, with 63% of scavengers earning ₦31,000–₦50,000 monthly, confirming its role in informal employment and poverty mitigation. Environmental models demonstrated stronger significance, with scavengers’ experience significantly predicting hazardous waste prevention awareness (p < 0.05). However, government support programs exhibited weak and inconsistent effects (p = 0.0312 among scavengers only), reflecting low policy coherence and limited institutional visibility. The study concludes that scavenging enhances both income generation and environmental preservation but remains under-optimized due to fragmented policies and minimal institutional backing. It recommends formalizing scavenging through registration, cooperatives, training, and provision of infrastructure to professionalize operations and strengthen inclusion in municipal waste systems.