Managing Electronic Waste Pollution: Policy Options and Challenges

Abstract

This chapter focuses on the current status and management of e-waste in Pakistan, with an emphasis on describing the key sources, impacts, and challenges in the management of e-waste in the country. Further, this study also discussed in detail different policy options and mechanisms that could be used to sustainably manage e-waste in Pakistan. The findings of the study highlight that the domestic production and imports of e-waste in Pakistan are rapidly growing due to increasing local consumption and low restrictions on the import of used electronic equipment. It has been observed that the recycling of e-waste is being done without any precautionary measures and is becoming a leading source of many environmental and health problems in most of the urban hubs. Lack of awareness about e-waste among the general public, importers, as well as scrap dealers and lack of regulation and implementation constraints are the major challenges in the management of e-waste in the country. Further, it is found that there is no inventory of e-waste in Pakistan available that also limits authorities in taking serious actions against unsustainable recycling of e-waste. In order to sustainably manage e-waste in Pakistan, there is a serious need for effective legislation and policy framework for refurbished and secondhand imports. Further, Pakistan also needs to take measures to fulfill its international commitments on Basel convention and e-waste filtration prevention. Further, stakeholder training and awareness on the hazardous impacts of e-waste on local environmental and health need to be conducted at different scales.