| dc.description.abstract | E-waste is a generic term used to describe various forms of electronic and electric equipment that
have ceased to be of any value to their owners. Annually, it is estimated that about 50 million
tonnes of E-waste is generated globally, with most being produced in Europe, United States of
America and Australasia. It accounts for approximately 8% of the total municipal waste generated
in these developing countries.
In Uganda, the growth rate of the ICT industry estimated at 33.3% in 2006/2007, increased
importation of both new and second hand electric and electronic equipment (EEE) and the ever
decreasing prices of EEE, indicate that e-waste generation will most likely increase in the near
future. E-waste contains valuable metals such as Gold (Au) and Copper (Cu), as well as potential
environmental contaminants especially Lead (Pb), Mercury (Hg), Cadmium (Cd), Polychlorinated
Biphenyls (PCB), Brominated flame retardants among others. Most developed countries export
the e-waste to poor countries, with the majority of this e-waste is disposed of in landfills. In
developing countries, recycling techniques include burning and dissolution in strong acids with a
few measures to protect human health and environment.
This research was aimed at assessing the management practices of e-waste in two divisions of
Kampala (Makindye and Central division) by estimating the quantities of e-waste of the different
categories of EEE using the market supply and consumption use models obtaining values of up to
161,995 kg per year for televisions, 41,212 kg per year for desktop computers, 14,195 kg per year
for radios and 58,394 kg per year for mobile phones for Makindye divisions alone. The primary
and secondary data for the mentioned methods was obtained from various stakeholders involved
in the e-waste stream for instance Kampala Capital City Authority, Uganda Revenue Authority
among others. Structured questionnaires for the survey were designed and distributed to a random
sample of households in Makindye and Central divisions. The results were statistically analyzed
and examined to represent the public responses and knowledge concerning the e-waste status. The
research findings showed for instance that 60% of the respondents were aware about e-waste. In
addition, 53% were aware of the hazardous components contained in this waste. The commonest
disposal practice of e-waste, was selling the waste equipment to as second hand equipment to
informal recyclers (41%). The informal recyclers and refurbishers also demonstrated the potential x
for resource recovery albeit being on a small scale as well as the fact that there was a realization
of need of more formal involvement in order to realize this potential. | en_US |
