NAIROBI, Kenya- In a significant move towards environmental conservation, government officers from Nyamira County have been sensitized on the critical importance of proper e-waste management.
Courtesy of the ICT Authority (ICTA), this initiative aims to address the escalating e-waste crisis that threatens to exacerbate climate change effects.
The E-Waste Crisis: A Growing Threat
Kenya accumulates approximately 51,300 metric tonnes of e-waste annually.
Alarmingly, only 5pc of this is recycled formally, with the remainder being disposed of unsafely, leading to polluted environments, soil degradation, and wasted resources.
According to Kepha Githinji from ICTA, this improper disposal poses severe risks to human health and the environment.
“E-waste growth is driven by several factors,” Githinji elaborates. “These include population growth reliant on electronic gadgets, lifestyle changes, rapid urbanization, technological advancements, the short lifespan of electronics, and limited repair options.”
Consequently, electronic devices at the end of their useful lives often end up in homes, offices, stores, or dumped unsafely.
Environmental and Health Hazards
The unsafe disposal of e-waste is a significant environmental threat.
Decomposing e-waste releases harmful substances like lead and mercury, which contaminate the soil and endanger natural minerals.
Burning e-waste emits toxic smoke, hazardous to human health and contributing to acid rain, which further harms aquatic life through runoff water.
Justice Kamau Mugo of the Nyamira High Court has highlighted the risk of unscrupulous officers damaging or reselling still-usable electronics.
He advocates for establishing e-waste collection centers in counties to mitigate this growing menace.
Moving Forward: Strategies and Solutions
Despite challenges in managing e-waste, including public ignorance on safe disposal, inadequate infrastructure, and the informal e-waste sector, ICTA is developing strategies to address these issues.
Orpher Nyaigoti from ICTA emphasizes the importance of public education on e-waste management and the need for collaboration with partners to establish standard infrastructure.
“Now that you are informed and aware of the importance of proper e-waste management,” Nyaigoti urges, “you need to adhere to policies and recommendations to ensure a green and safe environment and protect against harmful pollutants and climate change.”
Proper e-waste management is crucial for environmental sustainability.
