Basel convention Regional Center for training and Technology Transfer for the Arab States
BCRC-Egypt E-waste Activities
2006-2009
Prof Dr. Hani Moubasher
Director, Basel convention Regional Center for training
and Technology Transfer for the Arab States- Cairo
University-Egypt
Tel:+202 35719 688 Fax: +202 35717565 email: bcrcegypt@bcrc-egypt.org
Background
• Since 2006 BCRC-Egypt started to implement programmed and
demonstration activities that are directly linked to the needs of the region
and to the priorities set forth in the project document (feasibility study)
and in the Basel Convention Strategic Plan.
• Most of the activities implemented from Jan 2006 until now focused on
legal and institutional capacity building of the BC competent authorities of
the member countries in the region.
• Region’s needs are continuously updated and priority issues keep
changing,
• Recently, e-waste became a priority waste among many countries in the
region, e.g. Morocco, Egypt, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Tunisia, Kuwait
and Algeria.
• Pilot assessment of the e-waste and e-waste recycling facilities conducted
in selected countries (Algeria, Egypt, Jordan and Saudi Arabia) by national
staff with limited resources from BCRC-Egypt project.
• More countries are planning for e-waste assessment projects and
management measures.
S.D. for E-waste Africa and PACE Physical meeting, May 2009
Background
Since E-waste has become a global worry, BCRCEgypt started to promote e-waste awareness issues
via its newsletter and through media interviews and
newspapers articles. Main issues highlighted:
• E-waste as source hazardous wastes.
• Electric and electronic equipment contain over
1,000 different substances including toxic heavy
metals and organics which can pose serious
environmental pollution problem upon
irresponsible disposal;
• E-wastes are characterized by a high rate of
generation.
• E-waste has been identified as the fastest
growing waste stream in the world; forecast to
soon reach 40 million tonnes a year.
S.D. for E-waste Africa and PACE Physical meeting, May 2009
• The European Environment Agency has
calculated that the volume of e-waste is
rising about three times faster than any
other form of municipal waste.
• E-waste can be an overland mine for
specific metals.
E-WASTE is A GLOBAL CRISIS to be challenged
S.D. for E-waste Africa and PACE Physical meeting, May 2009
Current interest in e-waste and related
initiatives
• GeSI (Global e-Sustainability Initiative) : a global partnership of
Information and Communication Technology (ICT) companies
that promotes technologies for a sustainable development.
• StEP – an initiative of various UN organizations with the overall
aim to solve the e-waste problem. Together with prominent
members from industry, governments, international
organizations, NGOs and the science sector actively
participating in StEP,
• UNESCO Computer equipment recycling guidelines for Africa
• Partnership on used and end of life Mobile Phones (MPPI) –
Basel Convention
S.D. for E-waste Africa and PACE Physical meeting, May 2009
• Partnership for Action on Computing Equipment
(PACE) - Basel Convention
• CEDARE E-waste Forum: Circulating Success.
• Many other initiatives by manufacturers for
recycling end of life products belong to them.
(corporate responsibilities; e.g hp, Canon, …..)
All these initiatives work enthusiastically towards
promoting sound management practices to
avoid impacts of e-wastes.
S.D. for E-waste Africa and PACE Physical meeting, May 2009
Common Health effects associated
with e-waste dumping and burning
• Pollution of ground water with heavy and poisonous metals.
• Damage to central and peripheral nervous systems, blood
systems and kidney damage.
• Affects brain development of children.
• Bioaccumulation of Hg in fishes, causes respiratory and skin
disorders.
• Hexavalent chromium (Cr) VI causes asthmatic bronchitis and
DNA damage.
• Burning plastic components and cables produces dioxin which is
known to cause:
–
–
–
Reproductive and developmental problems;
Immune system damage;
Interfere with regulatory hormones
S.D. for E-waste Africa and PACE Physical meeting, May 2009
BCRC-Egypt e-waste related activities
• E-waste training session 12-13/3/2007
• Assessment of E-wastes and E-waste recycling
facilities in Algeria, Egypt, Jordan and Saudi Arabia.
• Translation of MPPI guidelines.
• E-waste awareness within Cairo University Campus
• Assisting member countries identify consultants and
consulting firms for e-waste management and
management planning.
• E-waste awareness through BCRC-Egypt news letter,
media interviews and newspaper articles by BCRCEgypt Staff.
S.D. for E-waste Africa and PACE Physical meeting, May 2009
Ongoing activities
• Assessment of e-waste in the Mediterranean
Arab countries in collaboration with Basel
Convention Focal points and with
contribution from UNEP/MAP.
S.D. for E-waste Africa and PACE Physical meeting, May 2009
E-waste status in selected countries in
Egypt
– the number of mobile phone subscribers increased from
4.3 Millions in 20001 to approximately 24 Millions in
2007, and to 44 Millions in 2009.
– Number of internet subscribers reached 13 Millions in
March 2009.
– Growth in the ICT sector in Egypt exceeds 20% during
2007 and 2008 and expected to be 15% for 2009 affected
by the global financial crisis.
– Import of used personal computers and CRT monitors
increased dramatically since 2001 (number increased
approximately 6-8 times in five years).
–
S.D. for E-waste Africa and PACE Physical meeting, May 2009
– During 2007, the Minister of Trade and Industry has
issued a decree prohibiting importing personal
computers that are older than 5 years (it was 10 years
before)
– Few collection programs for end of life mobile phone
batteries initiated by local mobile operators but not
publically propagated.
– No records regarding e-waste generation rates available.
– A research project and an e-waste forum initiated by
Egypt cleaner production center and regional
organization CEDARE, BCRC-Egypt is partner in both
initiatives.
– An inter-ministerial committee with members from the
private sector and national and regional organizations is
formed and is currently discussing a road map for ewaste management in Egypt.
S.D. for E-waste Africa and PACE Physical meeting, May 2009
Source World Bank 2002
In 2009 Egypt jumped to
500-1060 mobile phones
per 1000 people category.
source: www.etoxics.org
Sources of information
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Reports on number of mobile phone subscribers
Reports on internet subscribers
Sensuous reports
Development indicators reports (World Bank and
ECMIC)
Questionnaires
Interviews (with dump sites
scavengers/operators)
Interviews with scrape dealers
Interviews with smelters operators
S.D. for E-waste Africa and PACE Physical meeting, May 2009
Mobile Phone subscribers history
40000000
35000000
30000000
25000000
20000000
15000000
10000000
5000000
2008
2007
2005
2002
2001
2000
1998
0
S.D. for E-waste Africa and PACE Physical meeting, May 2009
Increase in number of PCs owned by individuals in Egypt from
1987-2008
12000000
10000000
8000000
y = 14263e0.9508x
R² = 0.9649
6000000
4000000
2000000
1987
1992
1996
2000
2002
2005
2008
0
Number of TV Sets from households
10
9
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
0
2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998 1997 1996 1995 1994 1993 1992
Years
TV sets Owned by Household (millions)
8
questionnaires
S.D. for E-waste Africa and PACE Physical meeting, May 2009
Status of end of life computers
Others, 1%
Do not have , 3%
Give to others, 14%
Sell, 38%
Store, 40%
Sell as scrape, 3%
Garbage, 1%
S.D. for E-waste Africa and PACE Physical meeting, May 2009
End of life TV sets
Do not have , 1%
Others, 0
Give to others, 17%
Store, 16%
Sell, 58%
Garbage, 1%
Sell as
scrape, 7%
S.D. for E-waste Africa and PACE Physical meeting, May 2009
Status of end of life mobile phones in
Egypt
Do not have , 1%
Others, 1%
Give to others, 6%
Store, 35%
Sell, 53%
Sell as scrape, 2%
Garbage, 2%
S.D. for E-waste Africa and PACE Physical meeting, May 2009
Needs for Egypt
• Awareness for e-wastes and possible impacts; generation rates
and impact scenarios should be the alarming vehicle for
awareness.
• Legislative framework for E-waste management that incorporates
responsibilities to importers, manufacturers, and owners.
• Need to enhance and collect accurate data on quantities and
types of E-waste generated and appear in waste streams.
• Need to enhance participation of the concerned stakeholders in Ewaste management.
• Need to develop a proper collection, transportation, recycling,
exporting or disposal system.
• Need to build local capacity / experts on E-waste management.
• Need to identify recycling technologies for known E-waste stream.
S.D. for E-waste Africa and PACE Physical meeting, May 2009
Thanks for your attention