Electronic and Electrical Waste Management: Malaysia and Sweden Experiences

Abstract

The production and consumption of electrical devices are rapidly growing and generating social, economic, cultural, and scientific benefits globally. In addition, this rapid growth leads to an increase in the amounts of disposal, obsolete, defected, or broken devices, which calls for strategic action in e-waste management. On this regard, nine out of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are with targets relatively linked to e-waste management. This chapter compares the implementation of the SDGs that are related to e-waste between Malaysia, which has large electric and electronic equipment manufacturing industry, and Sweden, which is considered the leader of implementing SDGs as of 2018. Content analysis of related UN reports and annual reports from Basel Convention (BC) for controlling transboundary movements of hazardous wastes and their disposal, including e-waste, is conducted. The analysis revealed that Malaysia is experienced in e-waste management since 2005. However, further efforts are still needed by different stakeholders in the country, especially in the management of the household's e-waste. On the other hand, Sweden's success is mainly due to the implementation of the “Extended Producer Responsibility” and the cooperation of the different stakeholders. Other countries may learn from the experience and practice of Sweden and achieve the targets set in the SDGs and consequently attain the circular vision of e-waste.