E-Waste Pollution In Africa And The Urgent Need For Appropriate Response

Abstract

Increasing ICT adoption leads to rocketing acquisition of ICT facilities which results in rapid ewaste
generation and attendant environmental pollution and health hazards. The study gathered that the volume of e-wastes being generated grossly outweighs the existing capacity to manage it in an environmentally sustainable way. Uncontrolled burning, disassembly, and disposal of ewastes cause a variety of environmental problems, such as ground water contamination, atmospheric pollution, and water pollution either by immediate discharge or due to surface runoff. Bonfire refuse of e-wastes are discarded into drainage ditches or water ways feeding the ocean or local water supplies. This does not only contaminate water bodies, but also results in blockage of drainages, leading to flooding that destroys fauna and flora, lives and properties, and causes health hazards, deterioration of health quality, air and noise pollution, diseases and economic wastes. The situation necessitates the need for urgent and appropriate response to bring about efficient management and control of e-waste for sustainable African environment.