Coping with E-Waste: Prospects of E-Waste Circular Economy Within the GCC: Analyzing the Legal Framework on Recycling of E-Waste Within the GCC

The GCC has experienced rapid population growth and urbanization in the last 40 years. The rise in population has caused a surge in e-waste within the GCC countries. Electronic waste poses severe health and environmental risks, calling for the adoption of a circular economy where e-wastes are converted into valuable products through recycling. However, achieving a circular economy requires a robust legal framework, technologies and policies as practiced globally. The Global E-waste Monitor has traced e-waste generation in the GCC countries since 2014. One critical finding is that the e-waste generation has surged with population growth, urbanization and the advancement in technology that encourages the use of new electronic devices and dumping of electrical and electronic equipment considered obsolete. The end-of-life of electronic devices has been shortened due to the population\u27s technological advancement and increased affordability of electrical and electronic equipment (EEE). Drawing on the literature, this study explored whether the GCC has an adequate legal framework to enable a circular economy by recycling e-wastes rather than dumping them in landfills. The research sought to find the best practices on e-waste recycling globally and compare them to the GCC settings. The study examined the adequacy of the GCC legal framework and the ability to achieve a circular economy using a qualitative case study methodology where e-waste management policies and legislation are examined in different GCC states to understand e-waste management in the region. A descriptive study design was used to explore the current GCC states’ legal frameworks and e-waste management status using primary and secondary data sources. The data was collected from the GCC states government documents by examining the constitutions, published environmental laws and policies, government websites and other secondary sources like journal articles and international organizations’ reports. The study established that achieving a circular economy in the GCC is minimal because of limited laws regulating e-waste recycling. Further, the region has not adopted the best technology to recycle e-wastes as seen in European settings. The inadequate legal framework should be addressed to ensure proper e-waste recycling to achieve a circular in the GCC countries

Transplanting EU waste law:The European waste electrical and electronic equipment directives as a source of inspiration to Brazilian law and policy

What are the legal instruments and policy choices producing improvements in e-waste management strategies worldwide? Could they be used from one legal system to another? The EU’s tradition of focusing on waste management and setting goals and responsibilities for all stakeholders involved in products life-cycle is remarkable. Its progress in policy and legal instruments on the field throughout the years represent a source of inspiration to other jurisdictions outside the European Union. At the same time, there have been developments in Brazilian law on the topic of waste management through the National Policy on Solid Waste (NPSW), Brazil’s most recent Act, the NPSW is a mark of progress, specifying priority waste streams and demanding well-structured and implemented take-back systems. Nonetheless, there have been considerable difficulties with moving further. This book studies and analyses the process of drafting and implementing the WEEE Directives in the European member states (MS) with the aim of identifying key policy and legal instruments that have contributed to fully working national WEEE systems. Supported by the Legal Transplants Theory it verifies the possibility for a jurisdiction to inspire others and, points out which lessons could be learned from the European experience that could contribute to the development of the corresponding laws in Brazil

Towards the sustainable management of electronic waste in Nigeria: South Africa as a model

Includes bibliographical referencesThe trade in and management of electronic waste in Nigeria is significant because of the volumes of e-waste generated from second-hand electrical and electronic equipment (EEE) imports. Current and future e-waste discourse advocate the need for, not only an effective legislative approach, but also a sustainable approach towards e-waste management, best encapsulated through a concept known as the 'Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR)' approach. The EPR approach, which is based on the Polluter Pays Principle (PPP) places legal, financial, informative and physical(including environmental) responsibility on producers of EEE, from 'cradle-to-cradle.'The thesis groups this classification into a general term - the 'EPR Matrix,' which is utilised throughout the thesis to analyse the realistic implementation and enforcement of these responsibilities on a producer in a developing country context. Although the shipment of e-wastes between developed and developing countries is regulated under the Basel Convention 1989 and the Bamako Convention 1991, both treaties, however, do not prohibit it. The efforts of Conference of Parties (CoP) to both Conventions reveal a cognizant change in perception which is aligned with the ideals of the EPR approach to e-waste management. The realistic implementation of this approach in a developing country context is investigated, because the importer, rather than the producer is the key actor in the EEE chain. The identification of this circumstance requires that the EPR approach be extended to include the importer and other actors in the EEE chain, sharing applicable responsibilities proposed by the EPR Matrix. The thesis explores the legitimacy of this premise, by evaluating the relative success of mandatory and voluntary EPR schemes on e-waste in South Africa. Although empirical investigation reflected in the thesis reveals that voluntary industry approaches on e-waste are effective and complementary to the regulatory model, this thesis also identifies a three-tier voluntary model for effective e-waste management in South Africa, and the scope of its application. Current e-waste legislation in Nigeria reflects the adoption of the EPR approach, but in essence, the provisions are ineffective, with the absence of requisite institutions to implement its provisions. This thesis suggest that Nigerian e-waste legislation be reconsidered, with a formalization of informal e-waste markets to reflect a more resolute approach towards illegal e-waste imports and management. The certainty of a successful, and effective EPR approach in Nigeria requires a synergy of both voluntary and mandatory approaches to e-waste in that jurisdiction, and an extension of the EPR concept to include other stakeholders in industry - producers, importers, retailers, consumers and government. This thesis thus recommends the adoption of both voluntary and mandatory approaches to e-waste management in Nigeria, including an institutionalized approach, which requires the establishment of collection centres for e-waste recycling, the establishment of an EEE registry/database and proper regulation of the informal sector

Transplanting EU waste law:The European waste electrical and electronic equipment directives as a source of inspiration to Brazilian law and policy

What are the legal instruments and policy choices producing improvements in e-waste management strategies worldwide? Could they be used from one legal system to another? The EU’s tradition of focusing on waste management and setting goals and responsibilities for all stakeholders involved in products life-cycle is remarkable. Its progress in policy and legal instruments on the field throughout the years represent a source of inspiration to other jurisdictions outside the European Union. At the same time, there have been developments in Brazilian law on the topic of waste management through the National Policy on Solid Waste (NPSW), Brazil’s most recent Act, the NPSW is a mark of progress, specifying priority waste streams and demanding well-structured and implemented take-back systems. Nonetheless, there have been considerable difficulties with moving further. This book studies and analyses the process of drafting and implementing the WEEE Directives in the European member states (MS) with the aim of identifying key policy and legal instruments that have contributed to fully working national WEEE systems. Supported by the Legal Transplants Theory it verifies the possibility for a jurisdiction to inspire others and, points out which lessons could be learned from the European experience that could contribute to the development of the corresponding laws in Brazil

E-waste management in developing countries through legislation and regulations: a case study of China

E-waste is an emerging issue driven by the rapidly increasing quantities, the hazards involved and the valuable materials in it. Due to a lack of environmentally sound technologies or equipment and the imperfect e-waste management system, the poor quality e-waste recycling and disposal methods commonly practiced in developing countries now have serious and hazardous effects on the environment and the workers'/residents' health. Additionally, industrialized countries are exporting increasing quantities of e-waste to developing countries, complicating the situation finther. The environmental and health issues caused by e-waste in developing countries have resulted in the search for solutions to address this problem before it becomes worse. The main purpose of this research is to find how legislation and regulations be used to improve management of e-waste in developing countries especially studying a case in China on e-waste management, which is a very helpful example to other developing countries which are also facing the same e-waste'issue. A case study methodology was used in this research. To collect data, semi-structured interviews with officers or experts from key relevant government departments/institutions involved in e-waste management/regulation, from electronic appliance producers, from customers at different levels of the value chain, as well as direct and non-participant observations were carried out in six cities of China. For another perspective, the review of relevant departmental documents/publications was also carried out to multiply the source of data. In this case study the analysis relies largely on qualitative data and interpretive methods, applied to what was found in interviews/observations and what is written down in documents/ literatures. The research found that lack of systernatic and enforceable law and regulations has become the most serious obstacle in the e-waste management system and limited the effective control of e-waste in developing countries. Developing subsidiary regulations and standards could support the enforcement of the main national law and regulations on e-waste management and it could farther urge the development of local regulations to improve the enforceýbility of the national law and regulations. Identifying the principal administrative department and coordinating the cooperation of various departments could avoid the duplication of administrative functions among government departments. It is important to construct monitoring systems to supervise the enforcement of the regulations and construct the standards and registration system to qualify the e-waste recycling and disposal enterprises, the secondhand market of electronic products and the regenerative resources market of reusable materials in ewaste. The economic differences made it possible to formulate special regulations for economically backward areas compared to the, more advanced areas even within one country. Improving the existing e-waste recovery system and regulating the payment system according to the local economic conditions for e-waste recycling and disposal could improve the integrated management of e-waste. Producers as well as government and even consumers should be responsible for e-waste together. The government needs to continuously strengthen regulatory systems to ensure that the huge economic benefits from the e-waste recycling industry are not overshadowed by the negative impact on the workers'/residents' welfare and overall environmental sustainability