CHALLENGES AND STRATEGIC SOLUTIONS OF ELECTRIC AND ELECTRONIC WASTE MANAGEMENT IN KHARTOUM STATE, SUDAN

Abstract

In recent years, waste of electrical and electronic equipment, also referred to as WEEE or E-waste, has become a relevant field of analysis amongst several discipline and research contexts. This is due to the very specific nature of this waste component, which contains hazardous substances (70%) as well as valuable materials. Moreover, the E-waste is the fastest rising waste stream, (<5% of MSW) and this trend is expected to continue according to the quality and quantity of hi-tech products consumption. Such multifaceted characterization makes the e-waste question a very challenging topic on the political, social and environmental levels. The general research aim of this study is to draw insights about the disposal of e-waste by households in Khartoum State, Sudan. The results of this study are expected to help policy makers to adopt and develop an effective E-waste management system and to raise the population awareness regarding E-waste impacts on the environment. The present study was carried out using the survey method. An appropriate questionnaire was formulated to assess the current status of E-waste management and the amount of E-waste generated, was estimated according to “Consumption and Use" method. The data collected was statistically analyzed using SPPS version18.0 PASW. The total number of electronic items surveyed during this work was 18,927. According to the average weight of the equipment, the overall quantity of the selected EEE was 18,215 metric tons/year equivalents to 2.3kg per capita per year. Based on this study there is not an integrated system for proper E-waste management in Khartoum State, (collection, segregation, storage, transport and disposal). Instead E-waste is disposed with other municipal wastes. Householders purchase new or 2nd hand appliances which were disposed at the end of their lifetime, stored within the houses, sold to scrap dealers, burnt or recycled. The questionnaire analyses indicated that the majority of the respondents (77%) were aware of the environmental problems created by e-waste. Many recommendations were put forward to improve management of E-waste in Khartoum State.