E-waste it wisely: lessons from Africa
Abstract E-waste is the world’s fastest growing and most valuable domestic waste stream. The increasing production of e-waste is driving elevated levels of export from developed to developing countries. Although countries worldwide are actively recognising the issues around e-waste and introducing p...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Springer
2022-02-01
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| Series: | SN Applied Sciences |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1007/s42452-022-04962-9 |
| _version_ | 1798023892891074560 |
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| author | Thomas Maes Fiona Preston-Whyte |
| author_facet | Thomas Maes Fiona Preston-Whyte |
| author_sort | Thomas Maes |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract E-waste is the world’s fastest growing and most valuable domestic waste stream. The increasing production of e-waste is driving elevated levels of export from developed to developing countries. Although countries worldwide are actively recognising the issues around e-waste and introducing policies, legislation or regulations governing e-waste, a large fraction of e-waste, goes undocumented at its end-of-life. Much of the global e-waste is accumulating in open dumpsites in several African countries. Using available data, we calculate the total e-waste in Africa (locally produced plus imported e-waste) for 2019 to be between 5.8 and 3.4 metric tonnes (Mt). This is believed to be an underestimate, large data gaps exist, hindering more precise estimates. The data is further complicated by, sometimes intentional, differences in labelling and reporting between formal and intermittent informal importers. Based on the available data, the main African recipients of e-waste are Nigeria, Ghana, and Tanzania, with Kenya, Senegal and Egypt featuring as countries of concern. The lack of proper waste management in the recipient developing countries, leads to environmental contamination and human exposure. A coordinated, regional and global, approach is needed in tackling e-waste. Regulatory frameworks, together with monitoring and compliance mechanisms need to be developed, financed, and enforced. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-11T17:54:38Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-bca389b491654f1e85c0a3e1e49c1563 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2523-3963 2523-3971 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-11T17:54:38Z |
| publishDate | 2022-02-01 |
| publisher | Springer |
| record_format | Article |
| series | SN Applied Sciences |
| spelling | doaj.art-bca389b491654f1e85c0a3e1e49c15632022-12-22T04:10:57ZengSpringerSN Applied Sciences2523-39632523-39712022-02-014311210.1007/s42452-022-04962-9E-waste it wisely: lessons from AfricaThomas Maes0Fiona Preston-Whyte1GRID-ArendalGRID-ArendalAbstract E-waste is the world’s fastest growing and most valuable domestic waste stream. The increasing production of e-waste is driving elevated levels of export from developed to developing countries. Although countries worldwide are actively recognising the issues around e-waste and introducing policies, legislation or regulations governing e-waste, a large fraction of e-waste, goes undocumented at its end-of-life. Much of the global e-waste is accumulating in open dumpsites in several African countries. Using available data, we calculate the total e-waste in Africa (locally produced plus imported e-waste) for 2019 to be between 5.8 and 3.4 metric tonnes (Mt). This is believed to be an underestimate, large data gaps exist, hindering more precise estimates. The data is further complicated by, sometimes intentional, differences in labelling and reporting between formal and intermittent informal importers. Based on the available data, the main African recipients of e-waste are Nigeria, Ghana, and Tanzania, with Kenya, Senegal and Egypt featuring as countries of concern. The lack of proper waste management in the recipient developing countries, leads to environmental contamination and human exposure. A coordinated, regional and global, approach is needed in tackling e-waste. Regulatory frameworks, together with monitoring and compliance mechanisms need to be developed, financed, and enforced.https://doi.org/10.1007/s42452-022-04962-9E-wasteAfricaEEEWEEEBasel ConventionBamako Convention |
| spellingShingle | Thomas Maes Fiona Preston-Whyte E-waste it wisely: lessons from Africa SN Applied Sciences E-waste Africa EEE WEEE Basel Convention Bamako Convention |
| title | E-waste it wisely: lessons from Africa |
| title_full | E-waste it wisely: lessons from Africa |
| title_fullStr | E-waste it wisely: lessons from Africa |
| title_full_unstemmed | E-waste it wisely: lessons from Africa |
| title_short | E-waste it wisely: lessons from Africa |
| title_sort | e waste it wisely lessons from africa |
| topic | E-waste Africa EEE WEEE Basel Convention Bamako Convention |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1007/s42452-022-04962-9 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT thomasmaes ewasteitwiselylessonsfromafrica AT fionaprestonwhyte ewasteitwiselylessonsfromafrica |