Sustainable Computer E-waste Disposal Management Approaches in Nairobi City County, Kenya

Abstract

Computer electronic waste (e-waste) is the swiftest growing solid waste stream in the world. It is a human health and environmental problem in the urban areas because of the hazardous nature of its contents. The enormous computer e-waste generated creates a major disposal management challenge especially in the low-income countries of the world. Information on how these countries are disposing of their computer e-waste is lacking. This study identified the computer e-waste disposal management approaches in Nairobi City County, examined the potential effects on human health and environment, assessed the level of public awareness on potential effects on human health of computer e-waste, and explored the possible planning, policy and regulatory interventions for sustainable computer e-waste disposal in the study area. The study target population consisted of all computer users in Nairobi City County. The study examined 48 randomly sampled institutions consisting of 30 private companies, 9 universities, 7 purposively sampled research institutions and 4 government ministries. In addition, 9 purposively sampled e-waste policy and regulatory institutions and 3 disposal sites were covered. A total of 156 randomly sampled households consisting of 77 high income and 79 middle income were interviewed using semi-structured questionnaires. Low-income households were excluded from the study because they were found not to have computers. Secondary and primary data were gathered to inform the research. Documents were reviewed on studies conducted in different parts of the world on objectives of the study. This was followed by face to face interviews with the responsible officers in the sampled institutions, employees housed by the government and heads/adult representatives of the sampled households. Observations and photography were also used in gathering data. The data was analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) and presented using frequency distribution tables, cross tabulations, pie charts, graphs, and narratives. Modelling was also done to formulate a Zero Computer E-waste Management System for Nairobi City County. The findings revealed that the disposal management approaches used by the public institutions include auction (75%), throwing away into county solid waste (CSW) stream (20%), and donation (5%). Private companies sell to e-waste collectors (50%), donate (47%) and lease out (3%). For households, it was mainly storage (45%), throw away into CSW stream (27%), donation (11%), sell as 2nd hand (9%), and sell to the recycling facility (8%). E-waste pickers/scavengers use urban mining (95%) and open-air burning (5%), while the yard shop operators purchase recycled metals and sell to local industries (80%) and export market (20%). Auctions, donations, sell as second hand, sell to e-waste collectors, leasing out, refurbishment, reuse were found to have no direct negative effects on human health and environment. However, throwing away computer e-waste into CSW landfill had the following potential effects on human health and the environment. The literature reviewed indicated that mercury, cadmium, lead, zinc, brominated flame retardants (BFRs) pollute surface and underground water, soils and air. Broken plastics cause physical injuries, inhalation and ingestion of chemical components such as lead and mercury lead to poisoning. In recycling, the risks are from emission of hazardous heavy metals (e.g. mercury, lead, cadmium and plastics); inhalation of acid fumes, direct exposure through skin contact or ingestion of components. For urban mining, recovering and recycling of e-waste from dumping sites is risky because of limited use of safety gear. The level of public awareness on human health and environmental effects of computer e-waste disposal management approaches was low at 8.3% and12.5% respectively. All the approaches used except recycling by WEEE Centre were found to be unsustainable. The sub-sector lacks both institutional capacity and the expertise to sustainably manage computer e-waste. From the modeling exercise, the study recommended the creation of a County E-waste Management Authority (CEMA) or a department created at the Communication Authority of Kenya or City County Office to implement a Zero Computer E-waste Policy (ZCEP) in the County. Others are introduction of a 2-level model of a computer e-waste disposal management system that will include: i) residential/commercial/neighbourhood Computer E-waste Drop Off Points (CEDOPs) and ii) a County Computer E-Waste Recycling Centre (CEREC) for Zero Computer E-waste in Nairobi. The CEDOPs should be spatially located in every residential/commercial/neighbourhood. The study also recommends the establishment of Ward Computer Literacy Centres (WCLCs) in all Wards to absorb some of the recycled products for Community Computer Literacy Capacity Building. Similar studies should be undertaken in all counties of Kenya to quantify and generate information to facilitate planning for and implementation of sustainable computer e-waste disposal management.