US-based Expert Calls for Smart Recycling to Stop E-waste in Nigeria

SEATTLE (Scrap Monster): A United States-based Nigerian entrepreneur and sustainability advocate, Seyi Dada, has called for the adoption of advanced recycling technologies to address the rising challenge of electronic waste (e-waste) in the country.

She is pioneering initiatives aimed at promoting sustainable e-waste management, resource recovery, and environmental preservation in the United States.

Speaking with our correspondent on Friday, Dada stressed the urgent need for AI-powered recycling systems, robotics-enhanced material recovery, and eco-friendly disposal techniques to tackle the growing e-waste crisis in the United States.

 She noted that with the increasing dependence on digital devices, the US generates over 6.9 million tons of e-waste annually, making it one of the largest producers globally.

However, only 15 per cent of this waste is properly recycled, leading to severe environmental pollution and the loss of valuable materials.

“Electronic waste contains precious metals like gold, silver, and copper, alongside hazardous substances such as lead, mercury, and cadmium. Improper disposal contaminates soil, water, and air, posing serious health risks, including respiratory diseases, neurological disorders, and cancer,” Dada warned.

She further emphasised that the United States must leverage cutting-edge recycling technologies to improve efficiency in e-waste processing, maximize resource recovery, and minimize environmental hazards.

 “Countries like Germany, Sweden, and Japan have made remarkable progress in sustainable e-waste management using advanced robotics for disassembly, precision separation technologies, and eco-friendly chemical treatments. The United States must take bold steps toward integrating similar innovations,” she stated.

Dada highlighted that traditional recycling methods fail to extract valuable materials efficiently, leading to significant waste of natural resources. To address this, she is advocating for the adoption of artificial intelligence, automated sorting systems, and green chemistry processes to revolutionise e-waste recycling.

 “The future of waste management lies in intelligent recycling systems that can efficiently recover and repurpose valuable materials while reducing toxic emissions. We need to embrace a circular economy model where electronic products are designed for longevity, repairability, and full recyclability,” she added.

She also expressed concern over the export of e-waste to developing countries, where unsafe recycling practices expose vulnerable populations to severe health hazards. According to her, the US must enforce stricter e-waste policies, promote Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) programs, and encourage investment in sustainable recycling infrastructure.

To mitigate these challenges, Dada proposed several key solutions, including investment in next-generation recycling technologies to enhance resource recovery, consumer education campaigns to encourage responsible disposal and increased adoption of refurbished electronics, policy reforms to hold manufacturers accountable for sustainable product lifecycle management.

She noted that public-private partnerships as an innovation and research in sustainable waste solutions could also mitigate it.

“E-waste management should not be about disposal alone; it should be about sustainability, environmental protection, and resource efficiency. We must shift from a wasteful system to a regenerative model where discarded electronics are seen as valuable resources rather than landfill materials,” she emphasised.

Courtesy: www.punchng.com