Barriers to recycling e-waste within a changing legal environment in South Africa

Thandazile Moyo; Zaynab Sadan; Aysha Lötter; Jochen Petersen

doi:10.17159/sajs.2022/12564

Authors

Thandazile Moyo Minerals to Metals Research Initiative, Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7211-9508
Zaynab Sadan Minerals to Metals Research Initiative, Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
Aysha Lötter 1.Minerals to Metals Research Initiative, Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa; 2.Mineral Law in Africa, Department of Private Law, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1525-0665
Jochen Petersen Minerals to Metals Research Initiative, Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2976-308X

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.17159/sajs.2022/12564

Keywords:

electronic waste, legal framework, secondary resource, recycling, circular e-waste economy, endprocessing

Abstract

Electronic waste (e-waste) recycling presents an opportunity to reclaim materials from a secondary resource and to create jobs and other economic opportunities. E-waste consists of various materials such as metals, plastics, glass, and other chemical substances. Some of these materials are hazardous if processed or disposed of improperly. Therefore, e-waste is classified as hazardous in South African law up until the hazardous components are removed. With the appropriate infrastructure and technology, a large portion of materials contained in e-waste can be reclaimed, and any adverse impacts of irresponsible management prevented. The private sector has played a proactive role in shaping the South African waste economy, and the government is taking strides to draw up enabling regulatory frameworks. Through a literature review and stakeholder engagements, this paper unpacks the organisation of the South African e-waste recycling industry. We consider whether the legal environment drives a common vision for a circular e-waste economy and probe the barriers to e-waste recycling across the value chain. The findings indicate that the development of the e-waste recycling sector in South Africa is dependent on a robust collection network and the enabling of local end-processing, refining, and manufacturing capacity. The availability and quality of input material and the development of local refining and manufacturing capacity are co-dependent and should be addressed simultaneously.

Significance:

E-waste recycling is an emerging industry in South Africa and the enablers and constraints for the development of this industry are still being explored.
The legislative environment with regard to e-waste recycling is evolving and needs to be continuously reviewed to assess its ability to enable/activate the development of the sector.
Local end-processing is currently limited to very small volumes of selected fractions of e-waste. The potential to activate upper levels of the e-waste value chain, such as end-processing, is important to the development of the sector.