International E-Waste Day 2024: Join the E-Waste Hunt – Retrieve, Recycle, and Revive!
Today is International E-Waste Day 2024 and the theme for this year's celebration is; Join the E-Waste Hunt - Retrieve, Recycle, and Revive!
In today’s world, where technology has become an integral part of our daily lives, the issue of e-waste is one that cannot be ignored. From smartphones to laptops, televisions to home appliances, and now to robots that are programmed to perform both simple and complex tasks, we are surrounded by gadgets that, sooner or later, outlive their usefulness. But what happens when these devices stop working, and what are the consequences for us as human, the environment and the world at large.
Electronic waste, or e-waste, refers to discarded electrical and electronic devices. In Ghana, the Hazardous and Electronic Waste Control and Management Act 2016, ACT917 describes waste electrical and electronic equipment” means electrical or electronic equipment that is wastes, including all components, sub-assemblies and consumables which are part of the equipment at the time the equipment becomes waste; and “wastes” means substances or objects, which are disposed of, intended to be disposed of, or required to be disposed of.
This includes everything from old mobile phones and computers to printers, televisions, and refrigerators. With rapid technological advancements, the life span of electronic devices is becoming shorter, leading to a growing amount of e-waste globally. According to the United Nations, the world generates more than 50 million tonnes of e-waste annually, and this figure is projected to increase by 3-4% every year.
For a nation like Ghana, the issue of e-waste has become particularly pressing due to the country’s role in the
global electronic waste trade. Places like Agbogbloshie, used to known infamously as dumping grounds for e-waste from developed nations, leading to serious environmental and health concerns. As we observe International e-waste Day, I want us to reflect on the challenges and opportunities surrounding e-waste management in Ghana.
Ghana has become one of the world’s largest e-waste importers of second hand electronics, receiving thousands of tonnes of electronic waste from so many countries around the world. At places like Agbogbloshie, informal scrap workers often burn electronics to extract valuable metals like copper, exposing themselves and the environment to toxic fumes and hazardous substances such as lead, mercury, and cadmium.
Poor e-waste management poses immense dangers to the environment. People who work directly on e-waste and nearby residents suffer from a wide range of health issues, including respiratory diseases, skin infections, and even neurological disorders. The soil and water in the area are also heavily contaminated, affecting agriculture and fishing, which are vital livelihoods for local communities.
One of the major challenges Ghana faces is the lack of infrastructure for proper e-waste recycling. While informal e-waste recycling sectors exist, they often rely on hazardous methods, such as open burning, to recover metals, which endangers human health and the environment. Furthermore, there is a general lack of awareness about safe disposal practices among the population. Many people are unaware of where or how to properly dispose of their old electronics. These realities raise a fundamental question: how do we responsibly manage e-waste in Ghana?
To tackle the e-waste issues in Ghana, several actions must be taken, with all the actors and stakeholders from government, private companies, local communities, and individuals coming together and working to solve the issue.
First and foremost, there is the need for education and awareness creation. Raising awareness about the dangers of improper e-waste disposal is important. Educational campaigns in schools, communities, and through the media can help inform the public about safe disposal methods and the importance of recycling. Programs can also educate people on the environmental and health impacts of e-waste, especially in regions heavily affected, such as Agbogbloshie.
Secondly, enforcement of legislation and policy enforcement on e-waste. Ghana took an important step with the passage of the Hazardous and Electronic Waste Control and Management Act in 2016. There are also some other regulatory frameworks such as the li 2250 and the Technical Guidelines for managing Hazardous Waste among others. This legislation seeks to regulate the import, export, and management of e-waste, and establishes a framework for extended producer responsibility (EPR). However, stricter enforcement of these laws is necessary to prevent illegal dumping and encourage recycling. Regular monitoring of e-waste sites and penalties for violators can also help improve compliance.
The third thing to help manage the e-waste situation in Ghana id the development of e-waste recycling infrastructure. Establishing a formal recycling centers in Ghana is essential for the safe management of e-waste.
These centers can provide safe working conditions for individuals in the recycling industry while also offering environmentally sound methods for recovering valuable materials. Investing in modern recycling technology would reduce the dependence on informal sectors where hazardous practices prevail. The decision to set up collection centers, dismantling centers and holding centers for e-waste by the World Bank through the EPA is one of the steps to help
Encouraging local e-waste initiatives can also help to reduce the e-waste situation in Ghana. Ghana has the potential to become a leader in e-waste innovation. Already, there are efforts from young entrepreneurs to turn e-waste into business opportunities. For example, some people such as Electrorecycling Ghana (ERG) are refurbishing old parts into new products. There are also some initiatives by international cooperations like GIZ supporting training of local workers in safe dismantling methods. Encouraging such initiatives can create jobs and reduce environmental harm at the same time.
Lastly, there is the need to promote public-private partnerships. Collaboration between the government and private sector is key to effective e-waste management. Telecommunication companies, electronics manufacturers, and retailers should be encouraged to take back old devices for recycling. The EPA is currently in talks with some of the shopping malls in the country to establish some collection points for e-waste within their locations so that customers can bring their e-waste to these malls. The assemblies within these malls are found
can supervise the collection activities to ensure that the collection is done in an environmentally friendly matter. This can also be done through incentives like discounts on new products in exchange for returning old electronics. Additionally, companies can work together with the government to establish and fund e-waste collection centers across the country.
E-waste is a growing problem globally, and Ghana is at the forefront of this challenge. Today being International E-waste Day, let us come together to tackle this issue by raising awareness, promoting responsible disposal practices, and supporting policies that encourage sustainable recycling. Every action counts, and together, we can reduce the negative impact of e-waste on our environment and our health. International E-waste Day, is established by the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Forum in 2018, aimed at raising awareness about the growing e-waste problem (https://weee-forum.org/iewd-about/). The day is an opportunity for governments, organizations, and individuals to reflect on how we can minimize the environmental impact of e-waste through recycling, repair, and responsible disposal. the theme for this year is join the E-waste Hunt- Retrieve, Recycle and Revive!
In Ghana, E-waste Day serves as a reminder that the problem of e-waste is not just an issue for the West, it is a critical challenge for our communities as well. Ghanaian households are increasingly becoming consumers of electronic devices, and with the rise in digital technology, the country is producing more e-waste locally. This
makes e-waste management a top priority for sustainable development. Let’s use this E-waste Day as an opportunity to create a cleaner, safer future for ourselves and future generations. CHEERS!!!