Growing e-waste menace threatening Tanzania, says government report

KAMPALA (Scrap Monster): The recently published Environmental Report by the Government of Tanzania states that the country is being threatened by the massively growing e-waste dumps, which are not attended to properly. The people of the country face an imminent environmental disaster, the report adds. The report was released by the country’s Vice-President Mohamed Gharib Bilal.

According to the report, the usage of electronic and electrical equipment (EEE) has increased rapidly in the country. The improper disposal of used devices poses a major threat to the environment and living beings. Despite causing serious health problems to communities, the issue has not yet received due attention by concerned authorities. The country lacks adequate facilities to manage the growing volumes of electronic waste.

The report states that majority of the e-waste contains hazardous materials which could potentially lead to cancer, respiratory illness and reproductive problems. The urban middle class population, who are believed to be the primary consumers of electronic and electrical devices, are projected to touch 40% by 2030 and 50% by 2050. The changing lifestyles of people also have led to increased consumption of these devices. Although the consumption of EEC is lower in the country when compared to other world countries, the growth is alarming, it says.

Based on the results of survey conducted by the Cleaner Production Centre of Tanzania (CPCT), the amount of e-waste generated from computers alone totaled nearly 2,300 tons in 2011. Assuming that computers constitute only 7% to 13% of the total EEE volumes, the total amount of e-waste generated by the country in 2011 was projected at 18,000 to 33,000 tons.

Mohamed Gharib Bilal called upon the environment stakeholders to boost their efforts in order to save the country from the looming environmental disaster.