E-waste

E-waste is discarded electrical and electronic equipment, including computers, mobile phones, televisions, refrigerators, air conditioners and other devices that have reached the end of their useful life or are no longer wanted. The term encompasses a wide range of products containing electronic components, circuit boards, batteries and other materials that require specialised handling and disposal. E-waste is one of the fastest-growing waste streams globally, driven by rapid technological advancement, shorter product life cycles and increasing consumer demand for electronic devices. The waste stream poses significant environmental and health risks because many electronic products contain hazardous substances such as lead, mercury, cadmium and brominated flame retardants, which can leach into soil and water if improperly disposed of in landfills or incinerated. At the same time, e-waste contains valuable materials including gold, silver, copper, platinum and rare-earth elements that can be recovered through proper recycling processes. Formal e-waste recycling involves collection, dismantling, separation and processing to recover reusable materials while safely managing toxic components. In many African countries, including South Africa, e-waste management remains a challenge, with much of the material handled by informal collectors and recyclers who lack the equipment and training to process it safely. Governments and industry bodies are increasingly developing regulations, extended producer responsibility schemes and public awareness campaigns to improve e-waste collection rates and promote environmentally sound recycling. The sector also presents economic opportunities through job creation in collection, refurbishment and recycling, as well as the recovery of valuable materials that can re-enter manufacturing supply chains.