Circular economy in Africa: examples and opportunities, electronics and e-waste
Authors: Victor Odumuyiwa; Abdulganiyu Adelopo; Afolasade Nubi (lead writers)
Location: https://ellenmacarthurfoundation.org/circular-economy-in-africa-e-waste
Publication year: 2021
Pages: 11
Document association: Ellen MacArthur Foundation (EMF)
From the website referred to above, the backdrop is the following: As the sales of electronics continue to grow rapidly in African countries, the generation of e-waste is also increasing, driven by international trade and domestic consumption. In 2019, Africa generated 2.9 Mt of e-waste which translates to 2.5 kg/capita. Although Africa’s per capita e-waste generation in Africa is the second lowest globally, over 60% is derived from imports. The handling of e-waste in African countries is often limited to crude processing means in backyards (for example, smashing or breaking open casings), manual stripping to remove electronic boards for resale, and burning to liberate and recover selected materials. Other bulk components, including cathode ray tubes (CRTs), are disposed of in open dumpsites. These processing methods have devastating impacts on people’s health and the environment.
Keywords: weee and e-waste; e-waste management; urban mining
E-waste management: A review of recycling process, environmental and occupational health hazards, and potential solutions
Authors: Rajesh Ahirwar and Amit K. Tripathi
Location: Environmental Nanotechnology, Monitoring & Management 2021, 15, 100409
Publication year: 2021
Pages: 15
DOI: 10.1016/j.enmm.2020.100409
Publisher: Elsevier
Level: GC
Abstract: The exponential growth in electronic waste (e-waste) comprising end-of-life electrical and electronic equipment has emerged as a major environmental concern. E-waste recycling, which comprises systematic collection of e-waste and its treatment for recycling of useful materials, offers a valuable tool to minimize the escalating heap of e-waste, supplement the shortage of some primary resources and support the economy. However, depending on the processing methods used for recycling, e-waste can also be a source of toxic substances, such as heavy metals, and persistent organic pollutants, including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), brominated flame retardants (BFRs), perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs), polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs) and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs). To efficiently harness the benefits of e-waste recycling without jeopardizing public health, a holistic approach encompassing improved product design and recycling rate and minimal emission of hazardous e-waste pollutants to the environment is required. In this review, we discuss the opportunities and constraints, and strategies for improved e-waste management. Further, we highlight the recent global trend in e-waste generation and provide an overview of the e-waste recycling process and the impact of e-waste pollutants on human health. Finally, a few strategies that can be implemented to make e-waste recycling an efficient and safer process have been discussed.