Collective engagement needed to minimise impact of e-waste

© pn_photo – za.fotolia.com

The conference, led by the Minister of Environmental Affairs, Edna Molewa, focused on issues around the contextualisation of the e-waste challenges in South Africa, the management of e-waste in municipalities, e-waste recycling and policy and legislative environment.

e-waste makes up between 5% and 8% of municipal solid waste in South Africa and is growing at a rate three times faster than any other form of waste. The challenge in the proper management of e-waste is a result of a lack of recycling infrastructure, inadequate funding, poor legislation, a lack of public awareness and market based instruments.

"We have repeatedly affirmed that we see the waste sector in general and the e-waste sector in particular as a catalyst for socio-economic development. It is the source of new businesses and jobs as well as an important contributor to us attaining our goals of a cleaner, greener South Africa," said Molewa.

Increase of exports

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) forecasts that obsolete computers, both in China and in South Africa, will rise by 500% in 2020 compared to their 2007 levels. Statistics show for instance that developed countries will increase their exports of e-waste into China and Africa by 50-80%.

"We as government know that when compared to conventional municipal waste, certain components of electronic products contain toxic substances that are particularly bad for the environment as well as to human health." This is exacerbated by low levels of consumer awareness as well as unregulated disposal, collection and recycling e-waste processes, amongst others.

Molewa said it is imperative that there is collective engagement on finding ways and means to minimise the impact of e-waste on the environment and on people. Important to note is that government institutions collectively generate a significant amount of e-waste. This includes national government departments, provincials departments, municipalities and state owned enterprises.

Need for coordination

"Every department is managing the e-waste in silos; there is a need for coordination of efforts to ensure maximum impact. e-waste management presents an opportunity for job creation and economic development through recycling. Most of the components of e-waste are recyclable. We therefore need to put systems in place and infrastructure for collection, transportation, sorting and recycling of this waste stream," she said.

Whilst this may seem to be a huge challenge, there are simultaneously economic benefits for citizens of South Africa, opportunities for job creation and poverty alleviation and entrepreneurial opportunities from a well-planned, strategically resourced, well regulated, managed and controlled e-waste system.