Nigeria’s First E-Waste Recycling Facility Begins Operation

SEATTLE (Scrap Monster): The first e-waste recycling facility in Nigeria has begun operations. The facility is located in Ojota, Lagos and is run by the Lagos-based Hinckley Recycling. The government certified electronics recycling facility is expected to help the country in combating the numerous dangers caused to its environment and citizens as a result of decades of informal recycling.

The recently released E-Waste Monitor Report by the UN University states that the global electronic waste surged higher significantly during the past two decades. Asia and Africa are two prominent generators of e-waste. Many countries in these regions follow manual dismantling and recycling processes that are toxic to human health and the environment.

Along with its African counterparts such as Rwanda, Nigeria too has made significant progress in its fight against mounting e-waste. The National Environmental Standards and Regulation Enforcement Agency (NESREA) has been collaborating with electronics majors including HP, Dell and Philips in developing best practices of collection and recycling of electronic waste. Also, the country has been successful in developing a framework for Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR). The development of the state-of-the-art recycling facility that promises high quality service for the disposal of electronic waste is considered as a major step.

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According to Belinda Osayamwen, Business Development Manager, Hinckley Recycling noted that the company ensures that its operations comply with all local and international legislations. All e-waste processed by the facility is issued with a certificate of destruction recognized by Ministry of Environment recognized agency. Hinckley Recycling will continue to partner with leading companies in an attempt to improve and expand its processing capabilities, Osayamwen added. She also acknowledged the contributions made by RDC- the world’s leading IT disposal and recycling company in developing local expertise in Nigeria.