Investigation into the effect of scrap metal usage on locally manufactured domestic machines in the Cape Coast metropolis

Abstract

The main objective of the study was to investigate into the effect of scrap metal usage on locally manufactured domestic machines in the Cape Coast Metropolis. This study adopted the case study strategy. Both qualitative and quantitative research approaches were used for the study. The population for the study was four hundred and fifty-seven (457), consisting of scrap dealers and locally manufactured domestic machines manufacturers in the Cape Coast Metropolis. Purposive and random sampling methods were used to select a sample size of two hundred and ten (210) respondents for the study (100 domestic machine manufacturers and 110 scrap dealers). Questionnaires were the main instrument used to collect primary data for the study. Primary data was collected through a field survey of domestic machine manufacturers and scrap metal dealers in the Cape Coast metropolis. Data was collected through the use of a designed questionnaire administered to participants in their workshops. The SPSS version 18 was used to analyse data. The study findings concluded that the domestic machines manufacturers fabricated flour mill, cassava grater, vegetable mill and corn mill. Moreover, the respondents used new and scrapped materials in fabricating domestic machines. Also, the respondents used pillar drilling machines, lathe machines, arc welding machines, gas welding machines, pedestal grinder and milling machines to manufacture domestic machines. The study results concluded that the main difficulties preventing people engaged in metal scrap collection and recycling of scraps is non availability of recycling plants. The study recommended that the government and stakeholders must provide adequate long and medium scale recycling plants to recycle scrap waste to minimize the high cost of locally manufactured machines. The availability of the machine tools will improve productivity of domestic machines manufacturing.