Ensure that you include an introduction of the topic, its relevance to the Swedish and South African context, the aim/purpose of the workshop, and how you plan to develop future collaborations and activities beyond the Forum. In case of acceptance, this text will be used for communication purposes to market the workshop and will serve as an introduction for the attendees (max 500 words).
The effective management of hazardous electronic waste is a significant problem especially in developing countries. The situations is particularly problematic in Africa, where countries are tasked with managing substantial and escalating volumes of electrical and electronic trash. This issue has gained significant recognition as a critical environmental concern and a health hazard. The rapid growth and development in the information and communication technology (ICT) industries have contributed to the acceleration of this phenomenon. The proliferation of waste electrical and electronic equipment (e-waste) has presented many issues, necessitating the implementation of efficient management strategies that prioritize environmental sustainability to mitigate adverse effects on human health and the ecosystem. The proposed workshop aims to demonstrate the increasing magnitude of electronic garbage (e-waste) as a significant concern for both the environment and human health in developing nations, where the treatment of waste presents substantial difficulties. The results of our research indicate a consistent rise in the quantity of electronic waste being directed toward developing nations over time. Most countries need more dedicated legislation about electronic trash (e-waste), instead of relying on preexisting hazardous waste regulations. The incorrect disposal and inadequate management of electronic scrap (e-waste) raise various concerns, including soil and water contamination, depletion of grazing areas, and adverse health effects. These health effects encompass respiratory infections, different forms of cancer, congenital malformations, genetic disorders, and other ailments that impact crucial organs, such as the brain.
In Europe, there is an increasing number of policies that aim to improve the quality, lifespan and repairability of electrical and electronic products. These policies include both mandatory product design requirements, mandates to provide spare parts and software updates for products on the market, and mandatory labelling to guide consumer choice. These policies will have some effects also on the e-waste situation in developing countries, e g as we expect that products will become more repairable and access to spare parts will be improved. Further, there are new proposals on how European policies could support e-waste actors in developing economies. As an example, the money paid by producers when putting a product on the market in Europe could be transferred to a developing economy when the product is exported there. While this could have been difficult to do historically, new developments such as digital product passports will enable tracking of products, and thus support new policies.
At the workshop, the partners will discuss their experiences and come up with specific proposals on future cooperation, and policy proposals to address the problems. An effective policy mix will include both European policies influencing products design, and monetary flows, as well as developments in emerging economies, which include effective market surveillance and the development of rules and standards to deal with e-waste.
Planned Activity Duration Responsible person
Introduction and setting the scene for the workshop 5 mins Dr Kavita Behara (MUT, SA), Dr Carl (Lund, Sweden)
Status of e-waste management systems in South Africa & Europe,
Environmental impact due to E-waste 35 mins Dr Thobeka Makhathini (MUT, SA)
Dr Carl (Lund, Sweden)
Prof Ajay Kumar Mishra (DUT, SA)
Effects of e-waste in human health 10 mins Prof Nokuthula Sibiya (MUT, SA)
Dr Kavita Behara (MUT, SA)
Discussion 10 mins Dr Kavita Behara (MUT, SA), Dr Carl (Lund, Sweden)
All (Attendees)
Challenges in adopting sustainable e-waste management technologies 15 mins Prof Ajay Kumar Mishra (DUT, SA)
Dr Carl (Lund, Sweden)
Policy trends on e-waste management (African and European context) 20 mins Dr Carl (Lund, Sweden), Dr Kavita Behara (MUT, SA)
Digital right to repair 15 mins Prof. Katja de Vries (Uppsala, Sweden)
Discussion and closing remarks 10 mins Dr Carl (Lund, Sweden), Dr Kavita Behara (Leader) (MUT, SA)
Keywords: e-waste, waste management, environmental impact, air pollution, sustainability, remediation
