Turning E-Waste into Gold: the Untapped Potential of African Landfills

Modern electronics can contain up to 60 different chemical elements including base metals such as copper and tin, special metals such as cobalt, indium and antimony, and precious metals like silver, gold and palladium. Although some chemicals present in electronic components are hazardous, many have economic value.

Precious metals such as gold can be extracted from mobile phones, as each one contains an element of this precious metal. There is untapped potential in Africa in recycling mobile phone elements in this way, with most of the projects being based in developed countries.

Beside metals, mobile phones also contain valuable materials such as plastics, glass and ceramics. With the creation of a circular economy, these waste materials could be turned into secondary raw materials that can be used as valuable inputs in different companies. Such recycling opens a great opportunity for innovation, increased productivity and economic growth.

New and innovative solutions are needed to integrate the informal e-waste recycling sector across the continent into sound sustainable e-waste management strategies. Recycling would have a positive impact on metal resources hence protecting the environment from unsustainable mining.

The Ghanaian government has taken a significant step towards the proper management of e-waste. The construction of an integrated e-waste recycling facility, at Agbogbloshie, is scheduled for October this year.

One of the components of the project is the establishment of a network of collection centres to provide a continuous supply of raw materials to sustain the operations of the facility. This ambitious project is expected to create over 22,000 self-sustaining jobs for Ghanaian youth.

Key trading associations will be funded to support research in academic and research institutions. The funds will be used to offer incentives for collection, transportation and disposal of electrical waste, and promote public education on the safe disposal of electrical and electronic waste, and on the negative effects of electronic waste.

The Ghana project shows the potential for investment in Africa in waste management. Investing in technology and education is essential to build capacity in Africa to effectively manage e-waste and bring forth innovative solutions in e-waste management. Building capacity also supports policymakers in enforcing legislation that ensures that e-waste is properly disposed of, and that recycling is done in a manner that protects the environment.

Through its Switch Africa Green project in Ghana, UN Environment, jointly with the Environmental Protection Agency and in partnership with Ghana National Cleaner Production Centre, implemented a project on electronic waste and developed the Ghana e-waste model that formed the basis for the Hazardous and Electronic Waste Control and Management Act (2016).

This led to the Government of Ghana to prepare for the setup of an e-waste recycling plant at Agbogbloshie.

UN Environment continues to support African governments to tackle the issue of e-waste management. Value in e-waste can be extracted in a way that supports the local economy and protects people’s health and the environment.

*SOURCE: UN Environment. Go to ORIGINAL.  2018 Human Wrongs Watch