92
Thus, at the national level, there is a challenge to overcome some barriers that are
identified in the implementation phase of E-waste management plans (Cruz-Sotelo
et al. 2017). Among them, there are (i) the criteria for approval by different federative
entities, in relation to the emission permit, transportation and collection procedures,
which industries must comply with to avoid inefficiencies and disparities that
coexist in the management of such wastes; (ii) the need to strengthen the regulatory
structure in order to define the roles and responsibilities of stakeholders, stakeholder
groups and their responsibilities (principle of shared responsibility that is established
in the waste law); (iii) modification of the E-waste disposal practice mixed with the
urban waste stream; (iv) to obtain a precise estimate of E-waste, since data related
to this trade are scarce, mainly due to the informality and quantity of companies
involved; and (v) technological change, associated with obsolescence, in which it is
necessary to create policies that respond to this diversity and can avoid unforeseen
problems and stimulate solutions (Cruz-Sotelo et al. 2017; Estrada-Ayub and
Kahhat 2014).
With respect to the last item, Cruz-Sotelo et al. (2017) highlight that some of the
main problems are (1) lack of infrastructure, especially during the preprocessing
and treatment of E-waste, (2) the absence of innovation facilities and technologies,
(3) lack of investment, (4) high management costs and (5) social and security
problems.
Even so, Alcántara-Concepción et al. (2016) emphasize that in Mexico, there is
an effort to develop a strategic plan for the management of end-of-life computers,
which involves prohibiting the use of open dumps, avoiding the disposal of end-oflife computers in landfills, economic incentives, developing recycling processes
and/or assimilating new technologies for the recovery of metals, creating a national
programme for collecting and transporting end-of-life computers to decommissioning
and recycling centres and national collection targets with all stakeholders.
5.4.1.2 African Countries
South Africa
As can be seen in Bob et al. (2017), in South Africa the government departments
and agencies have high inventories and, consequently, accumulation of electronicwaste throughout the country.
In part, this is because there is a recognition that E-waste offers threats and
opportunities. In terms of the latter, E-waste, if well managed, can address the three
challenges of job creation, poverty and inequality. On the other hand, there are
many obstacles to managing end-of-life products safely and effectively (Widmer
et al. 2005).
Thus, there is a serious problem with the increasing amount of electronic-waste,
due mainly to the absence of policies that comply with international standards, as
well as reliable data, safe recycling of E-waste in the formal sector and undesirable
practices for management in a sustainable way (Herat and Agamuthu 2012; Widmer
et al. 2005).
P. Guarnieri et al.
Thus, at the national level, there is a challenge to overcome some barriers that are
identified in the implementation phase of E-waste management plans (Cruz-Sotelo
et al. 2017). Among them, there are (i) the criteria for approval by different federative
entities, in relation to the emission permit, transportation and collection procedures,
which industries must comply with to avoid inefficiencies and disparities that
coexist in the management of such wastes; (ii) the need to strengthen the regulatory
structure in order to define the roles and responsibilities of stakeholders, stakeholder
groups and their responsibilities (principle of shared responsibility that is established
in the waste law); (iii) modification of the E-waste disposal practice mixed with the
urban waste stream; (iv) to obtain a precise estimate of E-waste, since data related
to this trade are scarce, mainly due to the informality and quantity of companies
involved; and (v) technological change, associated with obsolescence, in which it is
necessary to create policies that respond to this diversity and can avoid unforeseen
problems and stimulate solutions (Cruz-Sotelo et al. 2017; Estrada-Ayub and
Kahhat 2014).
With respect to the last item, Cruz-Sotelo et al. (2017) highlight that some of the
main problems are (1) lack of infrastructure, especially during the preprocessing
and treatment of E-waste, (2) the absence of innovation facilities and technologies,
(3) lack of investment, (4) high management costs and (5) social and security
problems.
Even so, Alcántara-Concepción et al. (2016) emphasize that in Mexico, there is
an effort to develop a strategic plan for the management of end-of-life computers,
which involves prohibiting the use of open dumps, avoiding the disposal of end-oflife computers in landfills, economic incentives, developing recycling processes
and/or assimilating new technologies for the recovery of metals, creating a national
programme for collecting and transporting end-of-life computers to decommissioning
and recycling centres and national collection targets with all stakeholders.
5.4.1.2 African Countries
South Africa
As can be seen in Bob et al. (2017), in South Africa the government departments
and agencies have high inventories and, consequently, accumulation of electronicwaste throughout the country.
In part, this is because there is a recognition that E-waste offers threats and
opportunities. In terms of the latter, E-waste, if well managed, can address the three
challenges of job creation, poverty and inequality. On the other hand, there are
many obstacles to managing end-of-life products safely and effectively (Widmer
et al. 2005).
Thus, there is a serious problem with the increasing amount of electronic-waste,
due mainly to the absence of policies that comply with international standards, as
well as reliable data, safe recycling of E-waste in the formal sector and undesirable
practices for management in a sustainable way (Herat and Agamuthu 2012; Widmer
et al. 2005).
P. Guarnieri et al.