Assessing Strategic Management of E-Waste in Developing Countries

Abhishek Kumar Awasthi (), Eleni Iacovidou, Mrigendra Kumar Awasthi, Michael Johnson, Keshav Parajuly, Min Zhao, Saket Mishra and Akhilesh Kumar Pandey
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Abhishek Kumar Awasthi: State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
Eleni Iacovidou: Division of Environmental Sciences, College of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Brunel University London, Kingston Ln, Uxbridge, London UB8 3PH, UK
Mrigendra Kumar Awasthi: Department of Earth Sciences, Barkatullah University, Bhopal 462026, Madhya Pradesh, India
Michael Johnson: Department of Electronic and Computer Engineering, University of Limerick, Plassey Technological Park, Castletroy, V94 T9PX Limerick, Ireland
Keshav Parajuly: Department of Electronic and Computer Engineering, University of Limerick, Plassey Technological Park, Castletroy, V94 T9PX Limerick, Ireland
Min Zhao: School of Resources & Environmental Engineering, Shanghai Polytechnic University, Jinhai Road No. 2360, Pudong New District, Shanghai 201209, China
Saket Mishra: Madhya Pradesh Pollution Control Board, Bhopal 462016, Madhya Pradesh, India
Akhilesh Kumar Pandey: Department of Biological Science, Rani Durgavati University, Jabalpur 482001, Madhya Pradesh, India

Sustainability, 2023, vol. 15, issue 9, 1-11

Abstract: E-waste is one of the fastest growing waste streams in the world, paradoxically containing both hazardous components and substances which can adversely impact on both the environment and public health, as well as valuable secondary resources and raw materials that could be recovered if e-waste is processed properly. Developing countries not only lack the infrastructure and technology required to manage e-waste appropriately, they largely rely on a fragmented informal sector for the management of a large fraction of e-waste that is either recognized by the state, or is marginalized and suppressed. This article examines the current situation with e-waste management in the developing countries, and assesses these countries’ challenges. The study highlights that there is an urgent need to design more better framework for e-waste that protect these countries from the problems caused by e-waste that are beyond repair and refurbishment, and to help these countries to advance their e-waste recycling and disposal facilities to prevent open burning on and dumping in the environment that can result in deleterious effects on communities at a local as well as at a global level.

Keywords: electronic waste; waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE); informal sector; environmental pollution (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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