Rwanda Announces Official Opening of its First E-Waste Recycling Facility

SEATTLE (Scrap Monster): Rwanda has announced official opening of its first electronics recycling plant in the country. The opening ceremony was attended by Environment Minister Vincent Biruta and a number of other distinguished guests. It must be noted that the facility located in Bugesera District in Eastern Province has been running successfully over the past several months.

The East African nation opened the US$1.3 million e-waste dismantling and recycling plant in order to facilitate efficient and effective management of discarded electronic waste. The opening of the modern recycling facility is in line with the country’s National E-waste Management Strategy that aims to push recycling efforts in the country. The new plant is expected to help the country to minimize environmental hazards. Furthermore, it will boost the country’s economic growth by proving hundreds of green jobs.

During the official opening ceremony held this Monday, the country celebrated the success of the multi-million dollar investment aimed at transforming the lives of Rwandans. Officials also handed over refurbished computers to the Rwanda Education Board authorities to be distributed to primary schools in the region. The facility has already distributed nearly 300 refurbished computers to regional schools. The project funded by The Rwanda Green Fund is administered by the Ministry of trade, industry and EAC affairs (MINEACOM).

According to Olivier Mbera, the e-waste programme manager at the ministry, the facility has the capacity to handle around 10,000 tonnes of electronic and solid waste per year. Studies indicate that Rwanda produces over 15,000 tonnes of electronic and solid waste every year. The ministry is currently seeking private firms to operate the facility under a public-private partnership scheme, he added.

The e-waste facility generates valuable materials by dismantling and recycling of electronic and electrical equipment (EEE). The accepted materials include personal computers, printers, mobile phones, photocopying machines, refrigerators, air conditioners, televisions, washing machines, car batteries, dry cell batteries, stabilisers and electric cooking stoves. Within six months of operation, the facility has already collected nearly 120 tonnes of electronic waste.