Business PickupFactors such as the digital age and rising consumerism have accelerated the use of electronic devices in recent decades. The growing volume of electronic waste, or e-waste, is a natural consequence. This rapidly evolving stream of e-waste has become challenging to manage, and while regulations are in place in many territories to process end-of-life electronics properly, a large portion still winds up in landfills around the globe. Here, we take a closer look at the sites where e-waste is discarded.
E-waste landfills around the world
Agbogbloshie, Ghana
One of the most notorious e-waste dumps in the world, Agbogbloshie is a site in Africa where electronics are typically burned to extract valuable materials. This process releases harmful toxins, leading to heavy smog throughout the nation’s capital of Accra. It’s here that more than 10,000 workers scour the site for metals and other high-value materials to recover, resulting in health issues like burns, respiratory issues, and infected wounds.
Guiyu, China
Located in the Guangdong province, Guiyu was known as the e-waste capital of the world until recently. Efforts have been made within the last decade to clean the region up, including the construction of an industrial park designed to facilitate more sustainable recycling initiatives. Nonetheless, abandoned buildings surround the city, and cancer rates have soared throughout the population. Unfortunately, the pollution has also taken its toll on the region’s youth: up to 80% of local children suffer from lead poisoning.
Dandora, Kenya
Though courts declared the Dandora dump full 23 years ago, electronics and other waste continue to pile up in Kenya’s capital of Nairob, with 2,000 tonnes being received here daily. In an effort to make money, waste pickers scour the site for e-waste to sell it as recyclable materials to businesses. Heavy toxic pollution surrounds the area, including a nearby school, where large amounts of bamboo have been planted as an attempt to improve air quality for children.
Manila Bay, Philippines
The Philippines is one of the largest global producers of e-waste, and its capital city, Manila Bay, has also become a major collection site for discarded electronics. Toxic substances have seeped into the bay, where its seabed has become loaded with heavy metals. Efforts are underway to better manage e-waste, but lack of infrastructure remains an ongoing issue.
Yaoundé, Cameroon
As with other large landfills brimming with e-waste, informal e-waste recycling is rampant in Cameroon. Waste processing is carried out by untrained individuals, who seek to recover salvageable materials despite coming into contact with toxic waste, such as mercury and lead. Officials have aimed to regulate e-waste processing, but lack necessary funding to back initiatives.
Addressing global e-waste challenges
Currently, more than 80 countries across the world have some form of e-waste legislation in place to manage end-of-life devices. Yet, there are still significant gaps which allow hazardous materials to wind up in landfills, often in underdeveloped nations. Reducing the amount of e-waste that winds up in landfills calls for a multifaceted approach.
For one, manufacturers must design their products in a way that promotes longer lifespans and easier recyclability. At the same time, responsible recycling must be prioritized through legislation and awareness campaigns. E-waste legislation must then be backed by appropriate enforcement measures to ensure laws are followed consistently. In the meantime, workers at existing e-waste collection sites should also be supported to minimize health risks, since waste picking continues to be an important source of income for many locals.
The need for global action to address the growing e-waste crisis is immediate, and you can start by ensuring your electronics are handled properly through Quantum’s electronics recycling solutions. Find out more about our e-waste recycling services here.