Reducing the Environmental and Social Impacts of E-waste Recovery in Developing Countries through Technology and Policy

Rapid economic development and technological progress in the past half century has increased the quality of life and standard of living in many nations around the world. At the same time, the volume of production, consumption, and disposal of consumer goods has accelerated to a rate in developed countries, and to a lesser degree in some industrializing countries, that is unsustainable. The global economy relies on the labor and natural resource base of developing countries, leading to economic development in those regions, but at the cost of environmental damage and social change. The past several decades have seen a dramatic increase in the disposal of electronics including computers, cell phones, media players, and televisions, all of which have shortened their life cycles compared to traditional manufactured goods. Inhabitants of developing countries have recognized an economic opportunity in the recovery of materials from consumer e-waste, but infrastructure, worker safety, environmental degradation, and appropriate policy initiatives are substantial concerns. Given these concerns, advanced technologies and safe practices are needed for the recovery and treatment of e-waste to provide a path toward economic development while reducing environmental impacts and social concerns. Success of e-waste recovery programs in developing countries relies on creating viable remanufacturing logistics and infrastructures, and the formulation of domestic and foreign e-waste policies. Appropriate reverse logistical methods, product treatment, and development impacts with regard to e-waste are discussed. In addition, Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) is explored as a basis to formulate e-waste policies in developing countries. This approach will aid in the improvement of the sustainability of waste electronics and electrical equipment from a life cycle perspective.