SIR: It is a fact that we cannot completely do away with e- wastes because of technological advancement in the world of electronic gadgets. E-wastes are electronic wastes. They include used or discarded electrical or electronic devices like mobile phones, computers, television sets and other electronics that have reached end of their useful life. After short years, some electronics become obsolete, and turn to e-wastes which are either re used or refurbished, while others are recycled.
While the old electronic devices are still in use by those yet to catch up with modern technologies, the volume or quantity of e-wastes increases as technology advances with new inventions and innovations of gadgets. Information Technology (IT) firms worldwide are in an unending research to develop improved technologies.These new electronic gadgets are massively welcomed by users so long they come with new features and functionalities. Some devices do not reach their end-of-lifespan before they are replaced with new ones. Old or near end-of-life gadgets are sold as second-hand or as scrap to be dismantled and burnt in order to obtain valuable precious metals (gold, silver, copper) for sale.
The bare-hand dismantling and open burning of e-waste is regarded as informal e-waste handling. Another informal e-waste management practice is converting dismantled electronic pieces to acid to wash off the valuables. Some toxic substances are released to the environment in the process.
Nigeria’s former Minister of State for Environment, Alhaji Ibrahim Jibril, once enlightened the public on the consequential effects of improper and informal handling of e-waste on health and environment. The ex-minister said, “The challenge that e-waste poses to the environment and Nigeria as a nation can no longer be ignored: at the same time, e-waste is an economic opportunity that can be exploited to generate wealth”.
The problem of informal recycling of e-waste has caused untold harm to air, soil and water components of environment,and indirectly on health of Nigerians. E-wastes contain some hazardous heavy metals which include Lead, Mercury, Arsenic, Cadmium and brominated flame retardants. Household batteries are potentially hazardous forms of e-wastes because they contain some heavy metals too. These batteries, when improperly disposed or recycled, become toxic to the environment.
An e-waste dump site is a one-way ticket to the grave for the scavengers and dump site workers. Metallic toxins released during the open burning of the dismantled gadgets are regularly being inhaled by these people. Exposure to these heavy metals by contact or ingestion may cause various forms of cancer, damage to body organs and brain, and sometimes death.
The DG, National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA), Mr Lawrence Anukam, while speaking on ‘Solution to the growing e-waste problem facing Nigeria’, in one of the editions of a Channels TV program, ‘Earthfile’, said the introduction of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) will help solve the e-waste problem. The EPR program, he said, involves the manufacturer of a product taking the responsibility for what happens to the end of life of that product – to be returned to producer or to be recycled. He added that the EPR program would be effective if all stakeholders (manufacturer, user and recycler) are involved.
To tackle this growing e-waste challenge in Nigeria, three stakeholders are principally involved – the government, manufacturer and the user. The government must ensure increased sensitization of the general public, periodic and regular review of legislations, guidelines, standards, policies and regulations through its environmental and health ministries.
The onus to keep the environment safe primarily lies on the user by handling and disposing e-wastes properly. So, when it comes to gadgets, think before you throw away or dump them.
- Kayode Ojewale wrote in via kayodeojewale@gmail.com.
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