Abstract
Households and businesses produce high levels of electrical and electronic waste (ewaste), fueled by modernization and rapid obsolescence. While the challenges imposed by e-waste are similar everywhere in the world, disparities in progress to deal with it exist, with developing nations lagging. The increase in e-waste generation highlights the need to develop ways to manage it. This paper reviews global and South African e-waste management practices with a specific case study on Cathode Ray Tube (CRT) waste. CRTs present the biggest problem for recyclers and policy makers because they contain lead and antimony. Common disposal practices have been either landfilling or incineration. Research into South African CRT waste management practices showed there is still more to do to manage this waste stream effectively. However, recent developments have placed e-waste into a priority waste stream, which should lead to intensified efforts in dealing with it. Overall, these efforts aim to increase diversion from landfill and create value-adding opportunities, leading to social and environmental benefits.
Highlights
The modernization of the 21st century, buoyed by rapid urbanization, population growth, and the once-booming economy, has led to high levels of end-of-life electronic waste (e-waste) [1,2,3,4,5]
The study assessed current research done on Cathode Ray Tube (CRT) recovery and recycling, aiming to provide an understanding of the current gaps and opportunities that exist within the South Africa
South Africa imports CRT monitors as there are no local producers in the country
Summary
The modernization of the 21st century, buoyed by rapid urbanization, population growth, and the once-booming economy, has led to high levels of end-of-life electronic waste (e-waste) [1,2,3,4,5]. Africa included, besides the increase in e-waste produced locally, shipping of e-waste from countries such as the USA is a problem [9]. Besides the willingness of the receivers, the lack of government regulations against such practices worsened the problem Such diffusion of e-waste further diluted the accurate tracking of growth of this waste, especially in developing countries. The increase in waste produced from electronic and electrical equipment (EEE) has increased the need to create interventions to manage this waste. 500% in 2020 compared with 2007 levels [17] This has prompted the government and other supporting institutions to develop e-waste management methods whose focus is on waste disposal and waste reduction, waste reuse, recycling, and metal recovery. Efforts included crude methods such as acid-washing and open incineration, which led to serious environmental problems [20,21,22]
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