Rwanda Sets Role Model for E-Waste Recycling in Africa

SEATTLE (Scrap Monster): Rwanda has set a pattern for sustainable and responsible electronics recycling in the entire African region. It is one of the few countries in the region to have comprehensive e-waste policy and regulations in place.

It was in 2008 that the African country had begun policy discussions on safe management of e-waste. Following thorough consultations with all stakeholders in the sector, the country came up with an e-waste policy in 2016. The policy outlined clear guiding principles in dealing with e-waste and imposed strict guidelines for institutions in dealing with their e-waste.

Furthermore, the country focused on improving infrastructure, so as to make the country capable enough to handle rising e-waste volumes. The master plan has helped the country to achieve significant environmental benefits through proper recycling of dangerous e-waste, generate revenues to the country’s economy and create hundreds of employment opportunities.

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The country hosts a full-fledged e-waste recycling facility in the eastern region, managed by EnviroServe Rwanda through a public-private partnership agreement with the Government of Rwanda. The facility processed 3,000 tonnes of e-waste in 2019. Until now, it has sold or donated nearly 2,000 refurbished computers to schools.