HAZARDOUS AND ELECTRONIC WASTE CONTROL AND MANAGEMENT ACT (ACT 917).

 AUTHOR: BERTHA BLAINE DORNOO.




Electronic waste is the term used to describe old End Of Life (EOL).The Hazardous and Electronic Waste Control and Management Act, commonly referred to as Act 917, is legislation from Ghana aimed at regulating the management of hazardous waste and electronic waste (e-waste). The act addresses the generation, collection, transportation, treatment, storage, and disposal of hazardous and electronic waste to protect public health and the environment. Electronic appliances that have been disposed of by their original users are Such appliances may include broken cell phones, old computers, TV sets, iPods and other obsolete gadgets that no longer serve relevant purpose Most common in e-waste streams are computers. Globally 20 to 50 million tons of e-waste are generated annually. Many electronic products contain numerous toxic chemicals and materials including heavy metals such as arsenic, antimony, beryllium, cadmium, chromium, copper lead, mercury, nickel, zinc and organic compounds of chlorine and bromine. These pose risk to health and environment when disposed of . Typically EOL computers have approximate distribution of e-waste as follows: glass (24.8 wt%, plastics (23 wt%), precious metals (0.02 wt%), Iron (20.47 wt%), lead (6.3 wt%), aluminum (14.17 wt%), copper (6.93 wt%) and others (4.3 wt%) [6]. In Spite of the opportunities that exist for returning End of life computers and other e-waste to the supply chain through recycling . Further, due to the relatively high cost involved in managing e-waste in developed countries compared to developing countries, Used Electrical and Electronic Equipment (UEEE) have found a final resting place in many developing countries . Compliance with environmental regulations increases the cost of e - waste disposal in developed countries and intense pollution activities tend to migrate towards developing countries where such robust regulations do not exist . Between 50 to 80% of e-waste from industrialized countries is exported to recycling centers in developing countries  because environmental regulations are relatively weak and recycling and disposal practices often take place in largely inappropriate and unregulated manner with little or no concern for potential impacts on human health and environment .In Ghana, the demand for computers and accessories is phenomenal as a result of increasing electronic literacy.

 The act regulates the transportation of hazardous and electronic waste, requiring that it be done in a manner that prevents environmental contamination and harm to human health. Specific guidelines for the disposal of these wastes are provided to ensure they are managed safely and sustainably.This includes guidelines for the recycling and safe disposal of e-waste.

 The act  includes fines and imprisonment for individuals or entities that violate its provisions. This serves as a deterrent to improper waste management practices.The act emphasizes the importance of public awareness and education on the risks associated with hazardous and electronic waste, and the need for proper waste management practices.

 

 

 

 

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