E WASTE MANAGEMENT IN KENYA PAN AFRICAN CONFERENCE ON WEEE/E- WASTE MANAGEMENT, 14-16 MARCH 2012,NAIROBI. Dr. Ayub Macharia, Ag. Director General National Environment Management Authority (NEMA)
Presentation outline Introduction Situational analysis Stakeholder of e waste management E-waste management - formal sector E-waste management guidelines Challenges Opportunities in E - waste management
Introduction Development of electrical and electronic equipment takes place at an alarming speed Convenience and affluence associated with these goods Faster phones, computers, ipads, ipods Bigger and high resolution televisions Bigger and more powerful cars Smaller storage devices
Situational analysis Municipal collection systems No sorting at source Stockpiles in government institutions Informal sector involvement without training Few formal sector recycling facilities Lack of complete recycling facilities hence exportation of some components Disposal in dumpsites
Situation analysis Estimates the E-waste generated annually in Kenya are: 11,400 tonnes from refrigerators, 2,800 tonnes from TVs, 2,500 tonnes from personal computers, 500 tonnes from printers and 150 tonnes from mobile phones. Source UNEP 2010
Stakeholders Producers/ manufacturers Importers/dealers Assemblers Refurbishers/recyclers Consumers Government Institutions Media Private institutions
WEEE Mass flow The mass flow study carried out in 2007 by Kenya ICT Action Network showed 1,513 tonnes of electronics entered the market. The consumer in addition to receiving 1,489.4 tonnes also received 151.3 tonnes from the second hand market.
WEEE Mass flow Cont The consumers are likely to dispose 1,210.4 tonnes in the second-hand market, 18.6 tonnes to collectors or as general waste which is sent to refurbishers. 18.6 tonnes directly to recyclers. Refurbishers and recyclers then send 605.2 tonnes for disposal.
E-waste management -formal sector Main formal sector players in WEEE management are- Computer for Schools Kenya(CFSK) operating the Waste Electronic and Electrical Equipment Centre The CFSK distributes refurbished computers to schools and after replacement the old ones are collected for recycling at their WEEE Centre.
Formal sector Cont East Africa Computer Recycling accepts and processes many types of electronic and electrical equipment. In both facilities components such as metal and plastic are taken by local recyclers and others for re use in repairs Monitors, batteries and circuit boards are exported to Europe for recovery and disposal. The WEEE Centre also accepts and processes other types of E Waste
Formal sector Cont Nokia and telephone services provider Safaricom have each established collection systems for mobile phones Others shall follow suit when the law(waste management regulations) are reviewed to include Extended Producer Responsibility
E-waste management guidelines Published Guidelines for E-waste Management in Kenya in May 2011 to address: Producers/manufacturers, Importers, Assemblers Consumers (Government and private organisations, Learning institutions and others) Transporters, informal sector e-waste collectors Refurbishers, Recyclers Disposal facilities operators People living near dumpsites Standards for recycling facilities.
Guidelines Clearly defined roles for each group of stakeholders Establishment of collection centers Establishment of take back schemes by producer responsibility organization Treatment facilities Disposal mechanisms
Proposed management
Challenges Lack of clear trade policies on second hand equipment Increased quantities of counterfeit EEE Significant amount of second-hand equipment in the market with short lifespan Inadequate EHS regulatory and policy structures Inadequate capacity of government agencies and facilities to deal with e-waste
Opportunities Incorporation of environmental issues into the constitution of Kenya and harmonization of all laws Employment opportunities (collection and recycling centres) Increasing capacity of informal business Artificial mines Established producer alliance group
Way forward Revision of EMCA 1999 Section 91(3) to enable country to import e-waste (with prior informed consent and relevant permits by the Authority) especially from the Eastern African region since capacity is being built daily Formulation and implementation of e-waste regulations Review of Procurement and Disposal Act to address waste handling
Way forward cont d Up-scaling existing and new take back schemes Increased investment and innovative business models to deal with e-waste Increased awareness on proper waste handling
END Thank you