Title: E-waste: a problem or an opportunity? Review of issues, challenges and solutions in African countries

Authors: Nnadozie Egeonu; Sunil Herat

Addresses: Griffith University, 170 Kessels Rd, Nathan QLD 4111, Australia ' Griffith School of Engineering, Griffith University, 4111 Queensland, Australia

Abstract: Managing electronic waste (e-waste) in an environmental safe manner has remained a major problem for many countries around the world. In developed countries the management of e-waste is considered a serious issue and forms part of the core policy direction of the government. On the other hand, developing countries in general are yet to effectively manage the problem of e-waste or make it a central part of the government's policy decisions. However, this passive approach to the control of e-waste in this clime has led to massive generation and indiscriminate disposal of e-waste, and continuous trans-boundary movement of these toxic more so, owing to the lack of proper legislation and effective enforcement, the processing of e-waste is left primarily in the hands of the informal recycling sector that is either inadequately equipped with the right facilities and tools or lack the contemporary knowledge of recycling e-waste through environmental sound management (ESM) techniques. Hence, this has led to complex social and environmental-health problems across Africa. This article aims to present a review of challenges and issues faced by African countries in managing their e-waste in a sustainable way.

Keywords: e-waste; electronic waste; transboundary movement; waste electrical and electronic equipment; WEEE; Africa; environmental management; waste management; developing countries; waste disposal; informal recycling; social problems; environmental health; sustainability; sustainable development; toxic waste.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEWM.2016.078602

International Journal of Environment and Waste Management, 2016 Vol.17 No.3/4, pp.318 - 339

Received: 23 Mar 2015
Accepted: 21 Apr 2016
Published online: 25 Aug 2016 *

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