Best practices and global standards
related to e-waste issues- The .
African Challenge
By James Mulolo
Senior Inspector
Zambia Environmental Management Agency
A presentation to a Sixth Symposium on ICTs,
the Environment and Climate Change
La Palm Royal Beach Hotel
Accra, Ghana
7 - 8 July 2011
What is E-Waste?
2
Key Stakeholders in e-Waste
 Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM’s)
 Importers, Suppliers and Distributors
 Original Owners- Businesses or Households
 Collectors/Middlemen/Buyers
 Electrical technicians (refurbish, dismantle, recycle)
 National regulatory agencies
 Environment
 Customs
 Port Authority
 Telecommunications
 Government (Politicians)
3
Why the problem?
4
Response to Haz. waste challenge
 Bamako Convention
 Ban all radioactive and haz. waste imports into Africa from non-
contracting parties.
 Prohibits dumping at sea
 Ban Amendment
 Prohibits export of haz. waste for any purpose from EU, OECD
and Liechtenstein to all other parties.
 Strict laws banning the import of all forms of hazardous
waste
 E.g. Zambia
5
The tragedy of the commons
 The following class of problems do not have a technical
solution:
 Population growth
 Economic
 Environmental
 Misconception that the above problems may be solved by:
 Better agricultural yields
 Better production methods
 Improved waste removal technologies
 People look for solutions elsewhere than within themselves
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Waste Management Hierarchy
 An internationally recognised waste management system.
 Addresses the reduction of waste generation by prevention and
minimisation through:
 Innovation in product design and production
 Efficiencies and conservation
 Sound management in use of resources
 Waste stream is reduced by resource recovery
 Finally waste is treated prior to disposal to reduce the
associated risks.
 Shift from control of pollution to prevention.
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Waste Management Hierarchy
Waste Hierarchy
Cleaner Production
Recycling
Prevention
Minimisation
Re-use
Recovery
Compositing
Treatment
Physical
Chemical
Destruction
Disposal
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Landfill
Best practices for e-waste mgmt
 Governments
 Apply regulations
 Use economic instruments
 Provide support measures
 Obtain external (international) assistance
 Polluter pays principle
 EPR shall be a key aspect of new policy development
 Responsibility of HZWM to generator
 Encourages waste reduction at source
 Funds go to EPA, assistance and clean-up
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Best practice - Regulators
 The “stick”
 Single biggest influence on waste reduction
 Industry specific regulations
 Progressive stringent limits
 Best practice standards
 Ban specific hazardous substances rather than “one size
approach”
 Strict enforcement
 Health and safety regulations need to be more strigent
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Best practice - OEM
 Proactive participation in e-waste management
 E.g. UNEP PACE working group
 Motivation
 Economic benefits of P2
 Reduced need for more stringent legislation
 Improved image for company
 Covenants, voluntary agreements
 Encourage the lease of equipment instead of outright
purchase
 Work with governments to devise and implement P2 plans
11
Best practices - Industry
 EPR – accepting core responsibility for e-waste as the primary
generator of the products resulting in problematic e-waste later
 If systematic improvements were introduced at the various stages in the product
life cycle (from generation to disposal), the quantity of e-waste generated at each
of the subsequent stages would be considerably reduced.
 Employing a multi-sectoral, integrated and holistic approach involving all the key
stakeholders, would resolve the problem of e-waste management.
 A fair price tag on electronic goods that does not externalize environmental
costs
 Accept there is a TAKE BACK responsibility from any party that imports
and/or distributes the original product as soon as it becomes “e-waste” in a
country
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Best practice – African region
 There is an urgent need for refurbishment and demonstration centers on a
regional basis
 Asian experience indicates this can be done
 Support new legislation and CP development
 Raise awareness and provide practical information
 Minimize perceived risks
 Following the IntegratedWaste Management Hierarchy
Recover function
o Recover working components
o Recover material for value added products
o Recover materials as a recyclable “scrap value” commodity
o
 Target specific waste streams or industry sectors
 Important in motivating SME’s
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Trends in recovery n recycling
 Reasons for e-waste recovery and recycling in Africa include:
 Scarcity and cost of virgin materials
 Obsolete poverty means workers can accept minimal wages
 Large market for goods and services
 Traditional waste recovery
 Waste scavengers
 Serious health and safety issues
 International recovery technology not suited to African
situation
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Looking ahead
 To catalyze improved e-waste management
1) Adequate legal framework is essential prerequisite
for effective e-waste management
2) Industry shall implement e-waste management
3) Government has to provide the conducive
environment
4) Using both the carrot and stick w.r.t. e-waste
management policy and legislation
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Looking ahead - Information
 Provide free advice, manuals and fact sheets
 Marketing of success stories
 Publish case studies from demonstration projects
 Cheap immediate access to technical databases
 Information clearing houses
 Technology supplier databases
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Looking ahead
 Redesign the current model
 Clarify the definition of e-waste
 Allow for regional refurbishment centers
 Sustained funding and capacity building to fully
understand extend of problem
 Involve NGO’s in e-waste management
 Better organized, flexible and responsive in their
approach,
 Organize and motivate community
 Enhance collaboration between the telecommunication
agencies and the environmental bodies
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Summary
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www.mygreencampus.org
For further information do not hesitate to visit the ZEMA website at
www.necz.org.zm
Or
Tel: +26-021-1254130
Fax:+26-021-1254164
Email: jmulolo@necz.org.zm
Thank you
Head Office: Corner Suez/Church Roads
Lusaka
Zambia