e-TECH AFRICA CONFERENCE 9-10 March 2016 | HICC, Harare, Zimbabwe Creating a climate for innovation and access to global markets. WHAT ARE THE NEXT STEPS ON E-WASTE RESOURCES IN ZIMBABWE? Mr Hasha S. Maringe, (CEO/President) ICT Association of Zimbabwe (ICTAZ) Cell: /

e-Waste: An emerging global threat Worldwide, in the decade between 1994 and 2003, about 500 million personal computers containing approximately 718,000 tones of lead, 1,363 tones of cadmium and 287 tones of mercury, reached their end-of-life. (Smith, Sonnenfeld & Naguib Pellow, 2006).

AFRICA: EFFECTS OF BRIDGING THE DIGITAL DIVIDE INITIATIVE Refurbished/Second Hand Goods and Donations

AFRICA: EFFECTS OF BRIDGING THE DIGITAL DIVIDE INITIATIVE  When European Union (EU) formulated legislation for managing e-Waste; exports of e-Waste from various industrialized countries to certain destinations where lower environmental standards and working conditions make processing e-Waste more profitable increased.  Commonly, the term “bridging the digital divide” is used when old WEEE are exported to developing countries. They are usually labeled as “second – hand goods” since export of reusable goods is allowed – Chris Carroll (Woodell 9,10)

MAIN ISSUES  Growing sales, shrinking life-spans.  More e-waste is thrown in the trash daily.  Out with analog, in with digital.  Poor design and complexity  Lack of policy and regulation  Waste management options are highly technological and require high financial investment  Advancement in Information Technology.  Electronic equipment contains many toxic materials which are hazardous to health and the environment.  It is a ‘wicked problem’.

OVERVIEW OF E-WASTE STATUS IN ZIMBABWE  Untamed jungle: no inventory has been made to assess the extend of e-waste problem in Zimbabwe.  Currently formulating a National e-Waste Management Policy  Ratified to the Bamako in 1993 and Basel in 2012 Conventions  All dumping sites and landfills are full of e-waste improperly dumped because there is no systematic management of this waste stream.  Estimated mobile phone active subscribers is approximately 12 million. (Potraz, Sector Performance Report, First quarter 2015).

NEXT STEPS ON e-WASTE RESOURCES National Policy and Strategy Formulation

NATIONAL POLICY & STRATEGY FORMULATION The problem of e-Waste is not understood until after the formulation of a National Policy. The policy will not stop e-waste but regulate its disposal, handling and management infrastructure and processes hence reducing its effects to the health of citizens and the environment. It will also give guidelines on the adopted national strategies to tackle e-waste problem in Zimbabwe i.e. authoritative, competitive or collaborative as proposed by Prof. Robert Knapp in his paper published in 2000.

NEXT STEPS ON e-WASTE RESOURCES National Policy and Strategy Formulation Implementation and Capacity Building

IMPLEMENTATION AND CAPACITY BUILDING Lack of optimal solution to e-waste problem makes it difficult to solve it by the application of standard (or known) methods ; but demand creative solutions. Specialized training and capacity building will be offered to authorized institutions and individuals to implement e-waste handling, management and disposal processes. The policy will define guidelines for implementation and capacity building.

NEXT STEPS ON e-WASTE RESOURCES National Policy and Strategy Formulation Implementation and Capacity Building Standard and Best Practices

STANDARDS AND BEST PRACTICES So far there no definite known standards and practices in e-waste management but every attempt to curb e-waste counts significantly because of its complexity As mentioned earlier, e-waste management demand creative solutions.

NEXT STEPS ON e-WASTE RESOURCES National Policy and Strategy Formulation Implementation and Capacity Building Standard and Best Practices Partnership and Collaboration

PARTNERSHIPS AND COLLABORATION E-waste is a global problem requiring global solution It calls for formation of partnerships and collaborations.

CHALLENGES AFFECTING PROGRESS Little help from international community to assist developing countries to come up with their own legislation or policy on dealing with e-waste. Limited capacity and capability of responsible institutions dealing on e-waste issues. Poor participation among stakeholders Lack of funding Lack of Private Public Partnerships (PPP) to tackle the e-waste challenge. Complex Interdependencies

RECOMMENDATIONS Every citizen must be engaged in developing the National e-Waste Management Policy. The responsible Ministry, National Task Team and its partners must organize awareness campaigns to inform people on the dangers and opportunities of e-waste. Private sector to assist with resources for carrying out a baseline survey on e-waste status in Zimbabwe and the development of a National e-Waste policy. Policy to enforce the introduction of e-Waste Management Levy for management of this waste stream.

Siyabonga Tatenda Thank you