title: Electronic waste (e-waste): material flows and management practices in Nigeria.
abstract: The growth in electrical and electronic equipment (EEE) production and consumption has been exponential in the last two decades. This has been as a result of the rapid changes in equipment features and capabilities, decrease in prices, and the growth in internet use. This creates a large volume of waste stream of obsolete electrical and electronic devices (e-waste) in developed countries. There is high level of trans-boundary movement of these devices as secondhand electronic equipment into developing countries in an attempt to bridge the 'digital divide'. The past decade has witnessed a phenomenal advancement in information and communication technology (ICT) in Nigeria, most of which rely on imported secondhand devices. This paper attempts to review the material flow of secondhand/scrap electronic devices into Nigeria, the current management practices for e-waste and the environmental and health implications of such low-end management practices. Establishment of formal recycling facilities, introduction of legislation dealing specifically with e-waste and the confirmation of the functionality of secondhand EEE prior to importation are some of the options available to the government in dealing with this difficult issue.
authors: Department of Industrial Chemistry, Abia State University, Uturu, Abia State, Nigeria. chidiabsu@yahoo.co.uk
authors: Innocent Chidi
authors: IC
authors: Nnorom
authors: Oladele
authors: O
authors: Osibanjo
mesh_terms: D003201:Computers; D003247:Conservation of Natural Resources / Q000639:trends; D003906:Developing Countries; D004581:Electronics / Q000295:instrumentation*; D004777:Environment; D015386:Hazardous Substances; D020407:Internet; D009549:Nigeria; D012037:Refuse Disposal / Q000379:methods*; D013685:Telecommunications; D013997:Time Factors; D018505:Waste Management / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D015386:Hazardous Substances