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Electronic Waste: a Major Challenge to Sustainable Development in Africa

Article · January 2009

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 Electronic Waste: A Major Challenge to Sustainable
Development in Africa

Oladele Osibanjo

Basel Convention Regional Coordinating Centre for Africa

University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria

Speaker: Oladele Osibanjo

Corresponding author: Oladele Osibanjo oosibanjo@yahoo.com

Abstract
Used electrical electronic equipment (UEEE) is critical to bridging the digital divide and
improving the socio-economic development of Africa as most ICT activities in cybercafés,
educational institutions and small businesses etc in the region depend on imported
secondhand computers mostly from Europe and United States of America. 25–75% of the
imported secondhand computers may not be functional or repairable as in Nigeria. A major
concern is that the consignment of admixture of EEE, UEEE, near end of life EoL UEEE and
WEEE or e-waste are not shipped as wastes, but as secondhand products, which make the
devices not subject to Basel Convention control. The limited studies available indicate that
most of the UEEE exported to Africa are hazardous wastes with concentrations of heavy
metals several fold higher than permissible levels in developed countries. Crude methods are
used in the informal sector to extract precious metals such as gold, silver etc from e-waste;
causing the release of heavy metals and environmental multimedia contamination. The
current flood of e-waste into Africa is considered a risk factor to the attainment of sustainable
development and the millennium development goals in the region. Outright ban of UEEE is
not advocated . But development of national/sub-regional/regional legislative and regulatory
control of EEE along the supply chain based on lifecycle approach is advocated; as welll as
the implementation of Extended Producer Responsibility for OEM and retailers. The e-waste
problem could be a driver for capacity building of the informal sector with employment
generation and poverty alleviation opportunities.
Keywords: e-waste, hazardous, contamination, sustainable, recycle.

1 Introduction
Africa and other developing regions of the world are currently undergoing rapid advancement
in information and communication technology (ICT) to bridge the digital divide through the
importation of secondhand or hand-me-down, used computers and mobile phones
from rich, developed countries especially Europe and the United States of America
(USA) due to lack of financial resources available to most people in the region. The
most recent statistics indicate that a mere 5.6 per cent of the population -use the internet in
Africa compared to the world average of 26.6 per cent (fig 3). Nonetheless Africa is also
estimated to have the fastest internet use growth rate. Between 2000 and 2008, the number
of users grew by a staggering 1,100 percent compared to the rest of the world’s 332.6 per
cent.
A major concern of developing countries is that the consignment of admixture of EEE and
WEE are not shipped as wastes, but as second hand products. Therefore, technically they
do not fall under the Basel Convention at this point. However, many of these products are
near their end-of-life, so African countries have the challenge of dealing with these wastes in
an environmentally sound manner. Yet many of these products come primarily from
developed countries which prohibit export of e-waste to developing countries. In other words
there are no common understanding, definition, and classification at the international level, of
what electronic waste and parts are to be regulated under hazardous waste law, rules and
procedures, while each country decides on its own.

The e-waste issue is now in the front burner of international discourse as there are continual
reports in the international print and electronic media of e-wastes dumping in Africa
especially Nigeria and Ghana in recent months. The joint proposal by Africa and Peru for e-
waste to be adopted as an emerging policy issue was considered at the Second International
Conference on Chemicals Management (ICCM2) held in Geneva during 11-15 May 2009. A
resolution for future work on “hazardous substances and the lifecycle of electrical and
electronic equipment ’’ was adopted in this regard for intersessional work towards further
consideration by ICCM3. The Nigerian National Ennvironental Stanadrds and Regulations
Enforcement Agency organised an international conference on e-waste control during 20-21
July 2009as a post ICCM2 activity to elicit further international discourse on the issue as an
input to ICCM3 in 2011

This presentation considers the global e-waste problem from the African perspective and
discusses the potential environmental and health impact of e-waste trade on sustainable
development in the region with suggestions on the way forward in addressing the problem
within other development challenges in Africa.

1.1 E-waste management in Africa

Infrastructure for solid waste management is weak and ineffective in Africa as most of the
Countries have neither a well-established system for separation, storage, collection,
transportation, and disposal of waste nor the effective enforcement of regulations relating to
hazardous waste management. The character and composition of municipal solid wastes in
urban centres have progressively changed in the last five years as e-waste is disposed in urban
dumpsites.compounding the solid waste problem. E waste management practices in Africa
are unregulated and employ rudimentary techniques .These include manual disassembly of
WEEE without consideration of the hazardous constituents, recovery of solder and chips from
printed circuit boards (PCBs) by heating them; melting and extruding plastics; and the
burning of plastics to isolate metals. The e-waste management options in the region comprise
four options namely(see fig 1) :
(i) Sale of reusable and serviceable parts

(ii) Repair and refurbishment of used UEEE for reuse

(iii) Disposal by dumping in non-engineered landfill, with subsequent open burning

of irreparable e-waste components to reduce solid waste volume
 (iv) Materials recovery of recyclables such as copper, gold and silver from non-repairable
e-waste by open burning of cables (for copper) and or boiling in acid (not common in
Africa)

UEEE MANAGEMENT PRACTICES IN AFRICA

Figure 1 : UEEE Management Practices In Africa

2 Environmental Impact of E-waste Management in Africa – Nigeria Case

study

2.1 Heavy metals in e-waste in Nigeria

As a prelude to determining environmental impact of e-waste management options in Nigeria, 100
UEEE, near EoL and WEEE were analysed for some heavy metals present in printed circuit board
(PCB) of computer CPUs and monitors; as well as Cathode Ray Tubes (CRTs) in monitors
respectively. This is due to paucity of data on heavy metals in e-waste in Africa. The mean results
obtained with the range and mean in parenthesis are shown in Table 1. The mean concentration
(mg/kg) of Cu in PWB of the CPU (376,195.7 mg/kg) and PWB of the monitor (149,818
mg/kg) are 150 and 60 fold respectively higher than the Toxicity Threshold Limit
Concentration (TTLC) for Cu in EEE in developed countries (2500 mg/kg). The
corresponding mean concentrations of Pb in PCB of CPU and PCB of monitor are 90 and 47
fold higher than the Toxicity Threshold Limit Concentration (TTLC) for Pb in EEE (1000
mg/kg); while the mean CRT concentration is 4 fold higher than the TTLC for Pb. The
excessively high concentrations of Cu and Pb in the components of the computers analyzed
suggest that these used computers are hazardous wastes. Consequently, improper disposal of
the PCBs of the CPU and monitors in the environment may pose serious risk to humans and
the environment
Component Copper (mg/kg) Lead (mg/kg)

PCB of CPU 83100- 18060 – 400650(

7055300(376196) 89882)

PCB of Monitor 39150 - 8460-80850(47043)

630300(149019)

CRT of Monitor 73-468(166) 429-99000(4341)

Table 1: Summary of the range and mean of copper and lead concentrations
In used computers imported into Nigeria (Source: Olubanjo K. A. 2009)

2.2 Environmental Impact of Crude E-waste Management Practices in Africa- Nigeria

a case study.
Although there is a paucity of data on post impact e-waste environmental studies in the
Africa region, a recent study in Nigeria has demonstrated high concentrations of copper,
nickel, zinc and lead in soils far in excess of European Union limits (Table 2) at e-waste
dump sites in Lagos, Benin, and Aba cities in Nigeria (Nnorom 2009). Contamination of
plants and nearby surface waters in e-waste disposal sites by heavy metals was also
reported in these sites (Nnorom 2009).

Source: Nnorom 2009

3 Conclusions
E-waste is an emerging environmental problem in Africa and the rest of the world. It is a
paradox of some sort as e-waste has both beneficial and harmful effects. National, regional
and global cooperative actions are required to find a lasting solution to the problem. Africa is
at risk from the sheer volume of e-waste influx in view of extant weak institutional, regulatory
and technical capacity to handle the problem; and this may even worsen the already weak
municipal solid waste infrastructure. Recognising the nexus between environmentally sound
management of wastes and chemicals, the uninterrupted influx of e-waste is a risk factor
towards achievement of sustaianble develepment and attainment of millenium development
goals in Africa. It has been shown from the limited studies done that most of the UEEE
exported to Africa are hazardous with concentrations of heavy metals several fold higher than
permissible levels in developed countries. Contamination of environment with potential for
adverse human health impact has also been shown.. The lacuna with the non-application of
the Basel Convention to near end of life UEEE requires urgent global action and Africa
should take a lead in collaboration with other stakeholders to plug the loophole. as this has
also been shown arising from the crude e-waste management practices in vogue,
The following actions are recommended based on life cycle approach along the supply chain
to evolve sustainable solutions to halt the dumping of e-scrap in Africa and other developing
regions:
(i) Awareness Raising and Education
 Intense promotion of public awareness on hazardous substances in EEE , UEEE and
WEEE and the need for national, regional and global control actions for all
stakeholders especially policy makers, law makers, regulatory authorities and the
Customs, women and youths and the press.
 Development of global system of information exchange on hazardous substances in
EEE and WEEE bearing in mind the entire supply chain.
 Promotion of labeling systems to inform the users of the hazards in products, need for
recycling and mechanism in place for safe disposal.

(ii) Legal and Regulatory Issues

 Identifying the gaps in legal frameworks across countries and the development of
appropriate national, regional and global frameworks on sound hazardous chemicals
management in e-waste.
 The importance of product stewardship and extended producer responsibility in the
life-cycle management of electronic and electrical products already operational in
developed countries is critically important for Africa. Hence the need to establish
robust national policies, legislation and diligent enforcement including producers’ and
traders’ responsibilities as well as take-back and recycling schemes and their targets
 Development of legislative guidance for Extended Producer Responsibility
(EPR)/lndividual Producer Responsibility (EPR/IPR) or product stewardship
especially in Africa and other developing countries and countries with economies in
transition with respect to EEE, UEEE, and WEEE should be accorded top priority.
Implementation of EPR in Africa and other developing regions has become necessary
 in the light of the present high level of trans-boundary movement of e-waste into the
developing countries and the lack of basic or state-of-the-art recycling and waste
disposal facilities.
 Prohibition of export of e-waste scrap or non-repairable UEEE, WEEE and or near
EoL to Africa and other developing countries.
 Reinforcement of the Basel and Bamako Conventions; as well as EU enforcement
functions to diligently implement appropriate EU directives
 National and regional inventories of e-waste are required for meaningful planning
while national/regional database on EEE, UEEE and WEEE should be established for
tracking and information exchange on import and export statistics towards prevention
and control of illegal traffic.
 Since consumers in developed countries have paid recycling tax during purchase of
EEE, the original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) should establish an ‘’African
E-waste Clean Up Fund ‘’ with such tax revenue for the assessment and clean up of
E-waste contaminated sites in Africa. This is similar to the African Stockpile Project
(ASP) on obsolete/discarded Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs). Part of the fund
may also be used to build the capacity of the informal sector in Africa.

iii Technical Guidance Development and Capacity Building

 Development and Harmonization of Definitions and Categorization of EEE,
UEEE, WEEE and near EoL to be reflected in national, sub-regional and regional
rules and laws.
 Utilization/implementation of Guidelines being developed by the Basel Convention
Partnership for Action on Computing Equipment (PACE) in collaboration with StEP and other
stakeholders on the Repairs and Refurbishment of UEEE, WEEE and near EoL to extend
the lives of UEEE , and especially to build the capacity of the informal sector in Africa
including the Small Island Developing States (SIDs) ; and create opportunity for employment
generation and poverty alleviation out of the e-waste challenge.
 Development/implementation of national/sub-regional and regional Guidelines on testing of
EEE, UEEE and near EoL in exporting and importing countries
 Establishment of Pilot/demonstration Projects in Repairs, Refurbishment and Recycling of e-
wastes in Nigeria, Ghana , Senegal, South Africa and Egypt based on PACE/StEP guidelines.

(i) Reduction and eventual Phase out of Restricted or Hazardous substances in

electrical and electronic equipment (EEE) and Waste Electrical and Electronic
Equipment (WEEE).

 Addressing the need to understand the complexities of hazardous chemicals

elimination and material substitution in EEEs ; and also information on life cycle
impacts of newer materials/chemicals.
 Cooperation between countries towards uniform adoption of restriction and phase
out of hazardous substances usage in EEEs and development of globally uniform
eco-labeling for EEEs and e-waste.
 Promotion of Design for Environment (DfE) in EEEs, including easier up-
gradability, higher recyclability and improved energy efficiency.
  Research into substitutes or alternatives that are non-hazardous chemicals and
their implementation in EEE through design changes.
 Development and implementation of pilot projects on e-waste that will bring a
reduction in the quantity and hazard of waste produced in different regions
including Latin America, Asia Pacific, Africa and the Small Island Developing
States ; with experience sharing and possible technological transfer ; such as the
reduction or replacement with suitable alternatives of Hg in fluorescent lamps
for efficient energy lighting.

(ii) Investment Opportunities in E-waste Recycling

 New business opportunities for local and foreign business partners to invest in
resource recovery or precious metals ‘’ mining ‘’ or recovery from e-waste using
state of the art appropriate recycling technologies in the African region towards
sustainable development.
 Institutional infrastructures, including e-waste collection, transportation, treatment,
storage, recovery and disposal, need to be established, at national and/or regional
levels for the environmentally sound management of e-wastes. Establishment of e-
waste collection, exchange and recycling centers should be encouraged in
partnership with private entrepreneurs and manufacturers.

References

BAN, (2005):. The digital dump: exporting re-use and abuse to Africa. Basel Action Network.
October, 24, 2005. Jim Puckett (Editor). <www.ban.org>.

Nnorom, I.C; Osibanjo, O; Nnorom S.O. (2007) :Achieving resource conservation in

electronic waste management: a review of options available to developing countries. Journal
of applied science 7 (20):2918-2933. http://www.ansijournals.com/jas.

Nnorom, I.C; Osibanjo, O. (2008): Overview of electronic waste (e-waste) management

practices and legislations, and their poor applications in the developing countries Resources
conservation and recycling 52:843-858. doi:10.1016/j.resconrec.2008.01.004. Available
online at www.sciencedirect.com

Nnorom I. C (2009): Heavy metal pollution at selected electronic waste disposal

sites in parts of southern Nigeria. Draft Phd thesis, University of Ibadan,
Chemistry Department, Nigeria.

Olubanjo K. A(2009): Heavy metals in used computers in Nigeria; MSc

Dissertation , University of Ibadan, Chemistry Department, Nigeria.

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