International Development Planning Review

E-waste: an emerging challenge to solid waste management in Ghana

International Development Planning Review (2010), 32, (2), 191–206.

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3828/idpr.2010.02
Language
English
Pages
16

Abstract

The recent expanded usage of electronic materials like computers, television sets and refrigerators in Ghana has not generated an effective infrastructure of waste disposal. Since wastes associated with many electronic products exhibit hazardous characteristics, the absence of e-waste management law and appropriate infrastructure to handle its end-of-life by-products have compounded the challenges posed by their disposal. Using both qualitative and quantitative research methods, this paper examines the current e-waste management practices in Ghana. It highlights some of the associated environmental and health hazards, and challenges the argument that the exportation of e-products to developing countries will primarily help 'bridge the digital divide'. Finally, it calls on the authorities to enact and enforce appropriate regulations and policies to help bring better environmental control into the booming ICT sector.

Access Token

FormatArticle

£25.00
READ THIS ARTICLE
References
Full Text
PDF
If you have private access to this content, please log in with your username and password here

ANTREKOWITSCH, H., POTESSER, M., SPRUZINA, W. and PRIOR, F. (2006), 'Metallurgical recycling of electronic scrap', in Howard, S. M., et al. (eds), EPD Congress 2006, Warrendale, PA, The Minerals, Metals and Materials Society, 889–908. Metallurgical recycling of electronic scrap EPD Congress 2006 889 908 Google Scholar

BAN (2005), The Digital Dump: Exporting Re-use and Abuse to Africa. Basel Action Network. 24 October 2005. www.ban.org Google Scholar

BAN/SVTC (2002), Exporting Harm: the High Tech Trashing of Asia. The Basel Action Network and Silicon Valley Toxics Coalition. 25 February 2002. Google Scholar

BOON, J. E., ISAACS, J. A. and GUPTA, S. M. (2001), 'Economics of PC recycling', in Proceedings of SPIE, 2001. Available at: http://www.coe.neu.edu/∼smgupta/4193-07-SPIE Google Scholar

 Google Scholar

BROOKE, J. (1988), 'Waste dumpers turning to West Africa', New York Times, Sunday 17 July 1988. Google Scholar

CHING-HWA, L., SSU-LI, C., KING-MIN, W. and LIH-CHYI, W. (2000), 'Management of scrap computer recycling in Taiwan', Journal of Hazardous Material, A73, 209–20. Management of scrap computer recycling in Taiwan Journal of Hazardous Material A73 209 20 Google Scholar

CIA (2008), World Facts Books, Ghana, available online at: www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/gh.html Google Scholar

DAILY GRAPHIC (2005), DAILY GRAPHIC, SATURDAY 5 NOVEMBER, 2005, NO. 149593, ACCRA, GHANA, 21–28. Google Scholar

DAILY GRAPHIC (2008), DAILY GRAPHIC, MONDAY 18 AUGUST 2008, NO. 16743, ACCRA, GHANA, 42. Google Scholar

EU (2002a), 'Directive 2002/95/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 27 January 2003 on waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) – Joint declaration of the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission relating to Article 9', Official Journal L 037, 13/02/2003, 24–39. Google Scholar

EU (2002b), 'Directive 2002/96/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 27 January 2003 on waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) – Joint declaration of the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission relating to Article 9', Official Journal L 037, 13/02/2003, 24–39. Google Scholar

FINLAY, A. (2005), E-waste Challenges in Developing Countries: South Africa Case Study. APC Issue Papers. Association for Progressive Communications. November 2005. Available online at: www.apc.org Google Scholar

GATTUSO, D. J. (2005), Mandated Recycling of Electronics: A Lose–Lose–Lose Proposition. Competitive Enterprise Institute. Available online at: www.cei.org Google Scholar

GREENPEACE (2005), Brigden, K., Labanska, I., Sanyillo, D. and Allsopp, M. (eds), Recycling of Electronic Waste in China and India: Workplace and Environmental Contamination. Greenpeace Report, Greenpeace International. August 2005. Google Scholar

GREENPEACE INTERNATIONAL (2008), 'Toxic tech: not in our backyard'. Available online at: www.greenpeace.org/international/press/reports/hiddenflows Google Scholar

 Google Scholar

HICKS, C., DIETMAR, R. and EUGSTER, M. (2005), 'The recycling and disposal of electronic waste in China – legislative and market response', Environmental Impact Assessment Review, 25, 459–71. The recycling and disposal of electronic waste in China – legislative and market response Environmental Impact Assessment Review 25 459 71 Google Scholar

 Google Scholar

ICT4AD (2003), ICT for Accelerated Development – One Laptop Per Child: Mission, available online at: http://www.laptop.org/vision/mission/ Google Scholar

KEIRSTEN, S. and MICHAEL, P. (1999), A Report on Poison PCs and Toxic TVs, Silicon Valley Toxic Coalition, available online at: http://svtc.org/cleancc/puds/poisonpc.htm Google Scholar

MUNDADA, M. N., KUMAR, S. and SHEKDAR, A. V. (2004), 'E-waste: a new challenge for waste management in India', The International Journal of Environmental Studies, 61, 265–79. E-waste: a new challenge for waste management in India The International Journal of Environmental Studies 61 265 79 Google Scholar

 Google Scholar

OSIBANJO, O. and NNOROM, I. C. (2007), 'The challenge of electronic waste (e-waste) management in developing countries in developing countries', Waste Management & Research, 25, 489. The challenge of electronic waste (e-waste) management in developing countries in developing countries Waste Management & Research 25 489 Google Scholar

PFLANZ, M. (2008), 'Toxic e-waste dumped in Africa harming children', available online at: www.Telegraph.co.uk/uk/news/2510712/toxic-e-waste-dumped-in-Africa-harmingchildren-html Google Scholar

RAVI, V., SHANKER, R. and TIWARI, M. K. (2005), 'Analyzing alternatives in reverse logistics for end-of-life computers: ANP and balanced scorecard approach', Computer and Industrial Engineering, 48, 327–56. Analyzing alternatives in reverse logistics for end-of-life computers: ANP and balanced scorecard approach Computer and Industrial Engineering 48 327 56 Google Scholar

 Google Scholar

 Google Scholar

SCHMIDT, C. W. (2002), 'Environews focus, E-JUCK EXPLOSION', Environmental Health Perspectives, 110, 188–94. Environews focus, E-JUCK EXPLOSION Environmental Health Perspectives 110 188 94 Google Scholar

TOXIC DISPATCH (2004), 'ENVIRONMENTALISTS DENOUNCE TOXIC WASTE DUMPING IN ASIA'. A NEWSLETTER FROM TOXIC LINKS, 1–2 (Toxic Dispatch No. 23, September, 2004). Google Scholar

TOXIC LINKS (2003), Scrapping the High-tech Myth: Computer Waste in India. Delhi, Toxic Links. Google Scholar

 Google Scholar

WIDMER, R., OSWALD-KRAPF, H., SINHA-KHETRIWAL, A., SCNELLMANN, M. and BONI, H. (2005), 'Global perspectives on the e-waste', Environmental Impact Assessment Review, 25, 436–58. Global perspectives on the e-waste Environmental Impact Assessment Review 25 436 58 Google Scholar

 Google Scholar

WONG, M. H., WU, S. C., DENG, W. J., YU, X. Z., LUO, Q., LEUNG, A. O. W., WONG, C. S. C., LUKSEMBURG, J. and WONG, A. S. (2007), 'Export of toxic chemicals – a review of the case of uncontrolled electronic-waste recycling', Environmental Pollution, 149, 131–40. Export of toxic chemicals – a review of the case of uncontrolled electronic-waste recycling Environmental Pollution 149 131 40 Google Scholar

 Google Scholar

If you have private access to this content, please log in with your username and password here

Details

Author details

Oteng-Ababio, Martin