An evaluation of electronic waste management practices in the Ethekwini metropolitan area, Kwazulu-natal

Abstract

Unprecedented advancements in lifestyle and modern technology have necessitated newer and better electronic and electrical appliances. These appliances and devices have penetrated every aspect of our lives; however, not much consideration has been given to what happens to these items once it has reached its end of use or have become obsolete. Therefore, as the world moves at an ever-increasing pace towards technological advancements, there is an urgent demand to deal with increasing volumes of waste from electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) and digital devices. Fast-changing features and the increasing availability of improved products force consumers to dispose of such devices more rapidly than ever before. When such items are discarded, they become part of the e-waste stream. This study investigated current practices in handling and disposing of e-waste and the extent to which such devices are recycled in the eThekwini Municipality area. Awareness of the need to properly dispose of such waste was assessed. To conduct this investigation, companies that provide e-waste collection services and those that recycle/discard this type of waste were identified and data were collected via selfadministered questionnaires after permission had been granted to access respondents. South African e-waste policies and legislation and eThekwini Municipality by-laws on waste management were reviewed, while academic journals, books, and magazine articles were perused for secondary data collection. The data are discussed and illuminated by various tables and graphs in this dissertation. The results indicated that 70.59% of the participating organisations had guidelines and procedures in place regarding the handling of electronic waste, but only 11.76% of these companies had a clear guideline that stated that a registered e-waste recycler should be responsible for the removal and recycling of e-waste. These recyclers should submit a disposal certificate to the client. It was found that outdated and unused equipment was used by 23.52% of the companies and that no procedural guidelines were in place to monitor disposal practices and volumes. It was found that e-waste was often stored for long periods without consideration of the possible risks this might pose. Also, 5.88% of the respondents reported that electrical and electronic equipment that was no longer functional, was crushed and disposed of at general waste landfill sites. Only 41.18% of the companies had been authorised to dispose of their e-waste. The study concludes that emerging technologies will continue to advance and create new streams of WEEE. Improved waste management strategies for this type of waste thus need to be adopted and implemented by all generators of such waste. There is also an urgent need to create awareness of the risks associated with e-waste as this will reduce mismanagement and the negative impact e-waste will have on the environment when inappropriately discarded. Education regarding e-waste disposal will also enable organisations to make informed decisions and formulate strategies to better manage such waste. A shift towards a circular economy and improved methods to manage e-waste such as the recycling of discarded e-waste to recover valuable resources is essential for the creation of a risk-free and sustainable environment.