ITU Regional Standardization Forum For Africa
Dakar, Senegal, 24-25 March 2015
EWASTE MANAGEMENT IN KENYA
DERICK SIMIYU KHAMALI,
MANAGER TELECOM COMPLIANCE
COMMUNICATIONS AUTHORITY OF KENYA
khamali@ca.go.ke
Categories and Background of
Ewaste / WEEE
Definition of Ewaste
Ewaste or WEEE is anything that
uses electricity or electrical power
to perform its function but is no
longer working or needed.
Categories of Ewaste
 Home appliances like Refrigerators and irons.
 Information and Communications Equipment e.g.
PCs
 Power and Electricity distributing Equipment e.g.
Cables
 Entertainment and Consumer Equipment e.g. TVs
 Electric and Electronic Tools e.g. Drills
 Health and Security Equipment e.g scanners.
 Lighting and alarm Equipment e.g Lamps.
Categories of Ewaste
Electrical and Electronic Equipment contain more than
1000 different substances. This are classified under:
1. Ferrous and Non-Ferrous material.
2. Plastics
6. Concrete and Ceramics
3. Glass
7. Rubber e.t.c.
4. Wood and plywood
5. Printed circuit board
Categories of Ewaste
Electrical and Electronic Equipment can be classified as
Hazardous and Non Hazardous.
The fact that most EEE contain elements like lead, mercury,
arsenic, cadmium, selenium, and hexavalent chromium
and flame retardants beyond threshold quantities in ewaste classifies them as hazardous waste.
Composition of Ewaste
The Average Composition for the Electrical and
Electronic Equipment is as follows;
1. Iron and Steel
2. Plastics
3. Non Ferrous
4. Others
– 50%
– 21%
– 13%
– 16%
Fortunately they are Identifiable and Removable
Local statistics on Ewaste
According to UNEP, in 2010 Kenya
generated 11,400 tons of e-waste
from refrigerators, 2,800 tons from
TVs, 2,500 tons from personal
computers, 500 tons from printers
and 150 tons from mobile phones.
The amount is expected to increase
Local statistics on Ewaste
The amount is expected to increase
as more older equipment is replaced
& demand emerges for modern ones
The e-government policy in Kenya has
led to frequent decommissioning &
importation of EEE especially ICT
Ewaste Dynamics
NEW PRODUCTS
EWASTE LEVEL
Influenced by:
Influenced by:
• Innovation and research
• Demand for more
sensitive material.
• Mining and the
Environmental needs
• Government policy
needs and compliance
a. Large volumes
b. More fresh but
waste products.
c. Efficient
recycling
Ewaste Dynamics
Demand for
new
products
Caused by;
1. Policy demands
2. Technology change
3. Economic status
Decommissi
oned
equipmemt
Ewaste Can be Useful or “Harmful”
USEFUL EWASTE
HARMFUL EWASTE
Includes the following:
Includes the following:
• Recyclable – safe to
handle.
• Stable components.
Intact at source.
• Non Explosive.
Transferable
a. Chemical composition
altered.
b. Dangerous from
source.(explosive)
c. un-separated.
(in dumb site as a whole)
Standards and Regulation
International
level (UN)
National Level
(Gov’t)
EWaste in the ICT Sector
Towers, Boosters, Microwaves and Antennae
Terrestrial backhaul Equipment and transmission links.
Satellite based terminals and transmission links.
Customer Premise Equipment / Access Infrastructure
Cabling and fixed Installations.
Alarms and security
EWaste Mitigation Plan
Who are the players;
Manufacturers
Buy back the
recycled matter
Reduce mining
Consumers
Make use of
EEE and
Dispose off
well
Recyclers
Collect ewaste
Recycle and sell
off.
Players in Handling Ewaste
Manufacturer
Recycler
Consumer
Challenges on EWaste
No Separation at source from other
waste. Ends in the same dumb site
Lack of willingness and low awareness
level. A lot of Ewaste retained in homes.
The unexploited Potential in the
EWaste. WEALTH IN WASTE
Way forward on EWaste
Develop and • Country Position.
Implement • Adopt Legislation
Policy
• Enforcement
Sensitization
• Separation at Source
• Make a business case
• Safety and Protection
PRACTICAL ACTIONS
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Passed Legislation on Ewaste management.
Waste separation at source by the city county.
Classified Communication infrastructure as PKI
Due diligence on Importers and Vendors
Takeback scheme by distributors & manufacturer
Environmental Compliance in licensing/reporting
WEEE Collection and Recycling businesses.
Practical Examples
• The East Africa Compliant Recycler. Deals in all
types of WEEE from the EA region.
• The WEEE Centre; Collection, refurbishment,
supply and Recycling of EWaste less CRT.
• The Communications Museum for tracing type
• Safaricom takeback and waste collection scheme.
• Academia Curriculum and sensitization.
• Ewaste as a Business. 200k from 200 phones.
Consequences of Ignoring
Ewaste Management
Environmental
degradation
Health
Hazards
Diseases and
Deformation.
Mining
Conflicts War
and Death.
Benefits of Ewaste management
Clean
Environment
Economic
gain
Sustained Supply of
Electrical and Electronic
Equipment
Job creation
Reduced mining
and conflict.
Conclusion on the need for
Ewaste Management
Ewaste / WEEE
Management needs
teamwork for its
success.
Communications Authority of
Kenya. Waiyaki Way,
Westlands Nairobi.
P,O Box 14448 Nairobi 00800
Tel: 0204242000/418
Email: khamali@ca.go.ke
Website: www.ca.go.ke
THANK YOU