ERA Urged Households to Recycle Electronic Waste

SEATTLE (Scrap Monster): The local producer responsibility organization E-Waste Recycling Authority (ERA) has urged South African households to drop off their discarded electronic items for recycling or repair during this holiday season.

According to ERA, people are still confused about how to responsibly recycle old domestic appliances and ICT equipment, as a result of which they get piled up at homes or are discarded irresponsibly. As per estimates, South Africa currently recycled about one-tenth of its e-waste, which has emerged as the fastest growing waste stream in the country. Incidentally, many of the landfill sites in the country’s urban regions are reportedly running out of space.

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The household waste is likely to increase by up to 25% during the festive season. Many of the items contain valuable materials that could be recycled. For example, Christmas lights contain copper, glass and plastics. The responsible recycling of these items not only saves environment, but will also create more jobs.

ERA has been organizing various campaigns aimed at raising awareness on the need for increasing the uptake of e-waste recycling. A recent campaign, held in connection with the International E-Waste Day, had collected over 130 tonnes of e-waste over a weekend.

South Africa had generated 415,500 tonnes of e-waste in 2019, as per data provided by the United Nations Global E-waste Monitor.