E-Waste in Ghana
Tackling E-waste in Ghana
E-Waste in Ghana – Recycling Chains, Business Models & Capacity Development
Under GIZ’s technical cooperation project in Ghana
Ghana has been in the news for its informal treatment of e-waste and related adverse effects on humans and the environment since a decade. Various international development cooperation projects have been running since then with the aim to improve the situation. Even though advances in several areas of e-waste management in Ghana have been made, important challenges still remain and need to be tackled.
The main challenges lie in the persistence of informal recycling activities and connected adverse effects for humans. Furthermore, formal recyclers are at a disadvantage compared with the informal sector, who externalize their costs through unsound processes and hence get an unfair competitive advantage when accessing materials by being able to pay higher prices. Strategies that address this lack of cooperation between informal and formal economic operators are necessary. Moreover, the lack of knowledge and access to required infrastructure and technology are key issues to be tackled.
With the goal of improving the conditions towards a sustainable e-waste management in Ghana, WRFA and its consortium partners have foreseen the following clusters of activities:
► Provide training courses for informal sector e-waste recyclers
► Set up a workshop facility in the Old Fadama (Agbogbloshie) slum, including a feasibility check of alternative income opportunities
► Develop business models to improve operations towards more sustainable e-waste recycling practices, including the optimization of current practices and the integration of the informal sector
► Develop business models for alternative income opportunities for individuals involved in the most harmful processes
► Develop a concept for re-integrating Ghanaian migrants
► Analyse treatment steps and adequate technology options to achieve a sustainable e-waste value chain for all relevant e-waste categories, as well as to provide guidance on how to connect the Ghanaian value chain on regional and international levels to maximise the local value chain and the necessary investments.
The 2017 document ISO IWA 19 Guidance Principles for inclusive recycling and experiences gained during its pilot testing will support the efforts to complete this project.
Contact us for more information at info@wrforum.org
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