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WE CANNOT LOSE THIS FIGHT AGAINST IMPROPER E-WASTE MANAGEMENT!

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  AUTHOR: OPPONG PEPRAH JUSTICE. E-waste and other waste materials dumbed in water body around James Town. (Image Credit: Oppong Peprah Justice). The Global E-waste Monitor (GEM), United Nations on March 20, 2024, reported that the world has generated about 62 million metric tonnes of E-waste in 2022, which is an 82% surge from 2010, and also five times higher than the documented E-waste recycling rate of E-waste that has been properly collected and recycled; which represents abouts 22.3%, that’s a about a quarter of the generated E-waste that year. This is the UN-GEM fourth release, and it also estimated a devasting increase to 82 million tonnes by 2030, which is a 33% increase from the 2022 figure above. Also, the report projected a decrease in the recycling rate to 20% coming 2030 after the 22.3% in 2022 as mentioned earlier. Kees Baldé, a Senior Scientific Specialist for the Sustainable Cycles Programme at the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) , state...
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SOME FINDINGS ON HOW ELECTRONIC WASTE BUILDS UP IN OUR SOCIETIES.

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AUTHOR: CLEMENT AMUZU. How scrap dealers use man power to extract the needed parts of e-waste materials. (Image Credit: Clement Amuzu).    Do you know research has proven that, 60% of   e-waste is imported in the continent and it often processed manually with the intent of reselling them to manufacturing company as raw materials for production purposes? This is due to inadequate logistics and machinery to aid the recycling processes, these materials one way or the other finds it way in unauthorized places.      The handling of e-waste in African countries is aways leveled to crude processing means in backyards ie: smashing and breaking casings to manually extract electronic boards for sales and in worse scenarios, some electronic devices are deliberately burnt in other to recover the desired materials. The neglected parts out of negligence are left unattended by these uninformed individuals who don’t have vast amounts to rightly dispose them off ...
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POLICY FRAME FOR MANAGING E- WASTE DISPOSAL.

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AUTHOR: BERTHA BLAINE DORNOO. A number of damaged phones to be repaired. (Picture by Bertha Blaine Dornoo).    81 countries had e-waste legislation in 2023, up from 78 in 2019. Of the 81 countries, 67 had a legal instrument governing e-waste management with provisions promoting extended producer responsibility (EPR).The enforcement of e-waste policy, legislation, and regulation “remains a genuine challenge globally, and the stagnation of the global e-waste collection and recycling rate is likely exacerbated by the fact that only 46 countries have collection rate targets and only 36 have recycling rate target Meanwhile, less than one quarter (22.3%) of the year’s e-waste mass was documented as having been properly collected and recycled in 2022, leaving US $62 billion worth of recoverable natural resources unaccounted for and increasing pollution risks to communities worldwide. Worldwide, the annual generation of e-waste is rising by 2.6 million tonnes annually, on track to r...
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CREATIVE REUSES AND RECYCLING IDEAS TO MITIGATE IMPROPER ACTIVITIES IN E-WASTE DISPOSAL.

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AUTHOR: Precious Benewaa Berkoh Some parts of damaged phones. (Image Credit: Precious Benewaa). The rapid pace of technological advancements has led to a significant increase in electronic waste (e-waste). Improper disposal of damaged electronic products can harm the environment and human health. However, many of these products still have valuable components that can be repurposed or recycled. In this article, we’ll explore creative ways to reuse and recycle damaged electronic products, reducing the need for improper disposal. 1. Old Smartphones:  – Use as a dedicated music player or e-reader  – Convert into a security camera or baby monitor  – Donate to organizations for seniors or individuals with disabilities 2. Non-Functional Laptops:  – Harvest working parts (e.g., RAM, hard drives) for other devices     – Repurpose as a DIY project (e.g., planter, decorative item)     – Participate in laptop recycling programs 3. Damaged Tablets:  ...
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THE FORMAL AND INFORMAL RECYCLING SYSTEMS IN GHANA.

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  AUTHOR: OPPONG PEPRAH JUSTICE. One of Ghana's Formally and legally established Recycling Companies. According to the International Labour Organization (2014) , Electronic waste (e-waste) is the fastest growing solid waste stream in the world, increasing three times faster than the world’s population. The world was thrown into an abyss of shock when the UN estimates, between 20 to 50 million tonnes of e-waste are generated worldwide annually, accounting for about 5% of all municipal solid waste. Some researchers have it that, the consumption of electronics, such as; televisions, computers, cell phones, video games, iPods, tablets, laptops, etcetera have increased over the last few years, making the electronic industry the world’s largest and fastest growing enterprise (The Basel Action Network and Silicon Valley Toxics Coalition, 2002) due to the rapid economic growth, an increasing urbanization and globalization (Remesh B.B, Parande A.K, Ahmed; Waste Management Research). The ab...
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SUSTAINABLE ELECTRONICS: REDUCE WASTE.

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  AUTHOR: TEI KAREEN. A modular circuit design like this or better than this would make repair easy. (Image Credit: Tei Kareen). The world is witnessing an unprecedented technological revolution, with electronic devices becoming an integral part of our daily lives. However, the rapid obsolescence and disposal of these devices have led to a growing concern - electronic waste (e-waste). The environmental and health impacts of e-waste are alarming, and it's essential to address this issue through a sustainable development The electronics industry generates a lot of waste, harming the environment. To reduce this waste, companies can design products with sustainability in mind. These include: - Modular design for easy repair and upgrade - Using recyclable materials - Energy-efficient technologies - Biodegradable materials     Benefits   of sustainable electronics includes: - Reduced e-waste generation - Conservation of natural resources - Lower carbo...
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CURBING THE PROBLEM OF IMPROPER E-WASTE MANAGEMENT IN GHANA.

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 AUTHOR: MARK JOHN AMPOFO. Electronic waste, or e-waste, is becoming a significant problem in Ghana. Old phones, computers, and other gadgets are piling up, causing harm to our environment and health. Addressing this issue requires a comprehensive approach that involves education, proper disposal facilities, recycling programs, government regulations, partnerships with tech companies, encouragement of repairs and reuse, and community involvement. First and foremost, education and awareness are crucial. Many people do not know the dangers of e-waste. Educating the public about how e-waste can harm the environment and our health is essential. Schools, community centers, and media campaigns can play a vital role in spreading this message. When people understand the problem, they are more likely to take action. Awareness campaigns can emphasize the importance of proper e-waste disposal and the benefits of recycling. Proper disposal facilities are another critical component in managing ...
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