Disposal Methods and Heavy Metals Released from Certain Electrical and Electronic Equipment Wastes in Nigeria: Adoption of Environmental Sound Recycling System

Abstract

The rapid improvements in the electronics industry, electronic waste (E.waste), including all obsolete electronic products, has becoming the fastest growing component in the solid waste stream. This phenomenon has been a source of hazardous wastes such as personal computers (PCs) and Televisions (TVs), which contain heavy metals and organic compounds that pose risk to the environment and to sustainable economic growth. Informal E.waste recycling practices in Nigeria such as open burning to recover metals, dumped or stockpiled resulted due to lack of national management strategies. In this work, various toxic chemicals that are released during these disposal habits were outlined, with their environmental effects, using the major components cathode ray tubes (CRTs), printed wiring boards (PWB), and plastics of personal computers or television as an example. Various upgrading methods of environmental sound recycling system were emphasized after each component undergoes dismantling or disassemble which reduced the emissions of toxic substances in the environment and promote recovery of valuable materials. The adopting of extended producer responsibility (EPR) was suggested as the best policy to enhance sustainable E.waste management growth in developing country Nigeria.