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A pile of broken and shattered smartphones, illustrating electronic waste.

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How Big is the E-Waste Problem in South Africa and Globally?

Did you know that nearly 3.5 billion individuals, representing almost half of the global population, use smartphones? This figure continues to rise daily. This trend

Close-up of electronic cables and multi-pin connectors, part of the intricate e-waste that requires proper recycling

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E-waste Awareness: A Deep Dive into iLembe’s Recycling Potential

In a focused attempt to promote better recycling habits, Sustainable Recycling Industries (SRI) closely examined how electronic waste is handled in the iLembe District by

WEEE pictured in a heap, including old cameras, phones and much more.

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Understanding WEEE: Categories, Characteristics, Challenges and Opportunities

Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE), or e-waste is a growing concern in our modern digital era. But did you know that WEEE recycling is

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Advancing E-Waste Recycling in South Africa: The WEEE are iLembe Partnership Begins

According to the Global E-waste Monitor 2020, 53,6 million metric tonnes of electronic waste (also known as e-waste or WEEE) were produced globally in 2019

WEEE Value Chain in iLembe

EEE PRODUCERS

Producers of electronic and electrical equipment (EEE) comprise of those who either manufacture and/or assemble EEE, those who import EEE, dealers of EEE (e.g. between manufacturers and retailers), and the wholesalers and retailers that sell EEE to the end user.

EEE PRODUCERS

Producers of electronic and electrical equipment (EEE) comprise of those who either manufacture and/or assemble EEE, those who import EEE, dealers of EEE (e.g. between manufacturers and retailers), and the wholesalers and retailers that sell EEE to the end user.

WEEE GENERATORS

WEEE Generators comprise of those who consume EEE and once the lifespan of EEE has been reached discard the item. While many EEE items may be regifted or donated, many find their ways into refuse bags where it is either being collected by informal pickers or ends up in a landfill.

WEEE GENERATORS

WEEE Generators comprise of those who consume EEE and once the lifespan of EEE has been reached discard the item. While many EEE items may be regifted or donated, many find their ways into refuse bags where it is either being collected by informal pickers or ends up in a landfill.

FORMAL COLLECTORS

Formal WEEE collection is generally done by waste management companies or directly by WEEE recyclers. Waste management companies do not undertake any dismantling or recycling activities. Depending on the type of WEEE, they either collect WEEE as part of their general service to clients, which is passed on to WEEE recyclers, or refer clients directly to WEEE recyclers.

FORMAL COLLECTORS

Formal WEEE collection is generally done by waste management companies or directly by WEEE recyclers. Waste management companies do not undertake any dismantling or recycling activities. Depending on the type of WEEE, they either collect WEEE as part of their general service to clients, which is passed on to WEEE recyclers, or refer clients directly to WEEE recyclers.

FORMAL WEEE RECYCLERS

All recyclers do some form of refurbishment and dismantling. Items that still have some useful life are refurbished. Those that do not, are dismantled and materials are separated, consolidated, and sold into end markets such as plastic recyclers, scrap dealers, or exported to global markets. Some recyclers have the ability to pre-process WEEE further using specialised equipment.

FORMAL WEEE RECYCLERS

All recyclers do some form of refurbishment and dismantling. Items that still have some useful life are refurbished. Those that do not, are dismantled and materials are separated, consolidated, and sold into end markets such as plastic recyclers, scrap dealers, or exported to global markets. Some recyclers have the ability to pre-process WEEE further using specialised equipment.

INFORMAL COLLECTORS

Waste pickers are mainly active within urban residential, commercial and industrial nodes. During their usual collection of plastics, cardboard, paper, cans and metals, waste pickers will collect WEEE when they come across items that have value.

INFORMAL COLLECTORS

Waste pickers are mainly active within urban residential, commercial and industrial nodes. During their usual collection of plastics, cardboard, paper, cans and metals, waste pickers will collect WEEE when they come across items that have value.

INFORMAL RECOVERY

Waste pickers first attempt to repair items that can be repaired and sell these items into the informal economy markets. If items cannot be repaired, they manually extract valuable fractions (such as metals) from the WEEE, usually by physically breaking apart the WEEE, which would then be sold on to scrap dealers.

INFORMAL RECOVERY

Waste pickers first attempt to repair items that can be repaired and sell these items into the informal economy markets. If items cannot be repaired, they manually extract valuable fractions (such as metals) from the WEEE, usually by physically breaking apart the WEEE, which would then be sold on to scrap dealers.

FORMAL END MARKET

Refurbished products are generally sold back to consumers directly by WEEE recyclers or related NPOs, thus re-entering the formal market. Certain materials are sold to downstream recyclers and/or scrap metal dealers, and/or are exported to global markets. Remaining fractions are sent to either general or hazardous waste land.

FORMAL END MARKET

Refurbished products are generally sold back to consumers directly by WEEE recyclers or related NPOs, thus re-entering the formal market. Certain materials are sold to downstream recyclers and/or scrap metal dealers, and/or are exported to global markets. Remaining fractions are sent to either general or hazardous waste land.

INFORMAL END MARKET

Products that are informally repaired are often sold into the informal market. Materials with value, mainly metals, are sold to scrap dealers in iLembe. Other materials with no market or low value, such as plastics and glass, are often dumped on-site.

INFORMAL END MARKET

Products that are informally repaired are often sold into the informal market. Materials with value, mainly metals, are sold to scrap dealers in iLembe. Other materials with no market or low value, such as plastics and glass, are often dumped on-site.

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