Electronic Waste Recycling at Agbogbloshie, Ghana: A Global Problem, Current Intervention Strategies and Local Solutions

摘要

The quantity of electronic waste (e-waste) generated around the globe is expected to increase with rising economies in Asia, Latin America and Eastern Europe largely as a consequence of the introduction of new products with shorter lifespan. Current global estimates of annual e-waste production exceed 40 million tons with an annual growth rate of 4 to 5 percent. However, in spite of the increased generation, there is a current lack of an efficient, safe and sustainable infrastructure for its disposal in many regions of the world; where a majority of the materials in the global e-waste stream ends up as final destination. A typical site in Ghana where the e-waste is received and recycled in an informal setting is the "Agbogbloshie dumpsite" and the lack of appropriate recycling infrastructure has meant that rudimentary and inefficient methods; such as manual dismantling, . burning, shredding, melting, and leaching, are applied with resultant significant adverse consequence on human and environmental health. The Agbogbloshie example of e-waste recycling as highlighted in this talk presents the global e-waste production not only as an emerging global health problem, but also as a developing global security issue. More research is therefore needed at the local level to better guide intervention strategies aimed at reducing environmental exposures associated with current recycling methods, while awaiting the development and deployment of acceptable, inexpensive, more efficient and environmentally cleaner technologies.