An assessment of environmental awareness and management strategies, regarding electrical and electronic equipment waste amongst environmental regulatiotors in Kigali, Rwanda.
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Date
2011
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Abstract
Information and Communication Technology (ICT), constitutes one of the development
sectors that have expanded significantly in Rwanda. With very limited natural resources and a
sector of the industry at its early stage of development, ICT provides Rwanda with
opportunities to achieve its vision to become a middle-income country by the year 2020.
However, old and discarded ICT equipment constitutes a source of hazardous waste, namely
waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) or e-waste which, if not appropriately
managed, could have serious impacts on human and environmental health. This study aimed
at assessing the level of awareness regarding e-waste and management strategies amongst
environmental regulators in Kigali, Rwanda. The study was guided by the Ecological
Modernization Theory (EMT), which advocates the integration of environmental concerns in
all economic and development sectors, such as ICT, in order to achieve environmental
sustainability. This research employed a mixed-method approach to scientific enquiry, using
a combination of quantitative and desktop research methods. The desktop research method
was used to study the current waste management practices in Kigali and the legal and
institutional framework relevant to e-waste management. The quantitative approach,
conducted through a questionnaire survey, was used to collect data regarding e-waste
awareness amongst environmental regulators, current extent of e-waste, e-waste management
in Kigali and challenges experienced. Using a purposive sampling method, 32 environmental
regulators from different government institutions having vested interest in environmental
protection and waste management from central to the district level were selected.
Questionnaires were dispatched to the respondents via e-mail. The responses comprised
87.5% (28) of the target environmental regulators. Data was coded and analysed using the
Software Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) template and Microsoft Excel. In addition,
qualitative information was used to support the quantitative data, in the analysis and
discussion. The findings of this research revealed that the level of awareness amongst
environmental regulators with regard to the hazardous nature of e-waste remains low. In
addition, e-waste managerial strategies remain largely unknown amongst environmental
regulators. Regarding an e-waste management framework, Kigali does not have any formal ewaste
management, while the legal framework remains at the draft level. In addition, the city
lacks adequate infrastructure and financial capacity for environmentally sound e-waste
management. E-waste is currently managed through various informal structures such as
storing discarded equipment, selling and donating it, or disposing obsolete electrical and
electronic equipment with other household waste. The study recommends that in order to
progress towards sustainable development, an e-waste managerial framework, including clear
institutional and legal frameworks must be established. In addition, professional capacity
building on environmentally sound e-waste management should be offered to environmental
regulators. Finally, the study proposes that programs to raise awareness of e-waste hazards
amongst the different population strata should also be initiated.
Description
M.A. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban 2011.
Keywords
Electronic waste., Refuse and refuse disposal., Waste minimization--Rwanda., Environmental impact analysis., Environmental policy--Rwanda., Theses--Environmental science.