A Descriptive Analysis of Electronic Waste Management among Electronic Repair Vendors in Mwanza City, Tanzania

Mack Alleyson Patali; Caroline G. Ngereza; Fredrick Alleni Mfinanga

doi:10.51867/ajernet.5.3.29

Authors

Mack Alleyson Patali Institute of Rural Development Planning, P.O. Box 11957, Lake Zone Centre, Mwanza, Tanzania
Caroline G. Ngereza Institute of Rural Development Planning, P.O. Box 11957, Lake Zone Centre, Mwanza, Tanzania https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3410-7861
Fredrick Alleni Mfinanga
fredrickmfinanga@gmail.com
Institute of Rural Development Planning, P.O. Box 11957, Lake Zone Centre, Mwanza, Tanzania https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4099-5925

Keywords:

Electronic Waste, Management, Repair Vendors

Abstract

Electronic waste (e-waste) is a rapidly growing global problem, with Africa generating 2.9 million metric tons of e-waste in 2019. In Tanzania, Mwanza faces a significant amount of e-waste and poor management of e-waste collection and disposal. This study conducted a descriptive analysis of e-waste management practices among electronic repair vendors in Mwanza City, Tanzania. The objective was to describe their current e-waste management practices, identify challenges, and highlight areas for improvement. The lack of awareness and inadequate practices among electronic repair vendors hinder effective e-waste management, contributing to the environmental and health risks associated with the improper disposal of hazardous materials. A literature review revealed the importance of stakeholder engagement, improved awareness, and sustainable e-waste management practices in various African countries. This study employed a descriptive research design, utilizing both quantitative and qualitative methods. Data will be collected through questionnaires, interviews, and observations targeting a sample of electronic repair vendors in Mwanza City. Data analysis involved descriptive statistics and thematic analysis. The findings indicate that using e-waste as a spare part of other products and selling non-repairable e-waste to third parties are current e-waste management practices. Moreover, e-repair vendors have been found to contribute to e-waste management, particularly repair, collection, and storage. Based on these findings, the study recommends that an e-waste awareness campaign be instituted in the e-repair industry, that e-waste management be undertaken sustainably to combat unnecessary disposal, and that the deposition of e-waste and e-waste collection equipment(s) be provided to e-repair vendors for proper e-waste collection and management. Also, there is a need to conduct further studies to assess strategies used by local authorities to support e-repair vendors in e-waste management.

Dimensions

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