Document conditions at Agbogbloshie's e-waste yard from the public road

Agbogbloshie's scrap and electronics yard is one of the most studied e-waste sites in West Africa, and the burn residue, exposed wiring, and metal fragments there are a real hazard to anyone who isn't part of the scrap workers' own trained trade. This task is strictly a photo record from the public road — never entry, never contact, and never any action that displaces the scrap workers' livelihood. Standard: Basel Convention e-waste guidance; UNEP; SDG 12.4 Proof: photo survey log from the public road only Method (Basel Convention e-waste guidance; UNEP; SDG 12.4): 1. Stand only on the public road bordering the yard. 2. Photograph general site conditions visible from the road. 3. Note visible smoke, standing water, or waste piles without approaching them. 4. Record the GPS point and date for every photo. 5. Submit the survey log with photos attached. Done when: photo survey log from the public road only

Where

Public road bordering the scrap yard, Agbogbloshie, Accra, Ghana

Pay

$160 proposed

This packet is not funded yet, so this figure is a proposed price and not money waiting in escrow. If a buyer funds it, approved proof settles that price onchain. If nobody funds it, approved proof earns provable credit toward the work instead of cash. You see which before you claim, never after.

Proof

photo survey log from the public road only

This is exactly what gets it approved. Nothing settles without it.

Level

entry

Open until

2026-09-02

How this work is done

A documented method, so this packet comes out the same whoever does it. Typically 45–90 minutes. Method of record: EPA soil screening (composite surface sample, XRF/field kit)

Bring

• trowel or auger
• clean bucket + mixing tool
• XRF analyzer or metals test kit
• PID for volatiles (if petroleum in scope)
• sample bags + labels
• N95 dust mask
• gloves + eye protection
• GPS phone
• camera

Steps

1. 1. Navigate to the parcel; record GPS; sketch a >=5-point sampling grid.
2. 2. Photograph each sampling point and any visible staining/fill/slag.
3. 3. Collect 0-15 cm cores from >=5 points; combine and mix in the clean bucket; subsample.
4. 4. Run XRF/test kit on the composite; record each metal in ppm.
5. 5. If petroleum is in scope, log PID readings and any odor/staining.
6. 6. Bag/label any lab subsample; complete chain-of-custody.
7. 7. Enter all analytes with units, depth, GPS, photos, and site sketch into the proof record; sign.

If it does not match the plan

• Lead > 400 ppm (residential) -> tag exceedance; advise raised beds / produce-washing / cover; recommend lab confirm.
• Arsenic > site screening level or PID indicating volatiles -> tag; recommend certified-lab confirmation before reuse.
• Suspected asbestos-containing material -> do not disturb; flag and stop.

What counts as done

• >=5-point composite collected at 0-15 cm
• Each screened metal recorded in ppm
• Visible staining/fill/slag noted (or absence)
• GPS waypoint + point photos + grid sketch

Proof is measured against these, not judged by taste.