Exploring the potential for local end-processing of e-waste in South Africa

E-waste is one of the fastest-growing waste streams in the world, and South Africa (SA) is no exception. This is driven by increased consumer demand and access to electrical and electronic equipment, in addition to perceived equipment obsolescence, and rapid advancements in technology. E-waste recycling presents an opportunity in providing a source of secondary resources such as metals, plastics and glass, as well as employment and economic opportunities in both developed and developing countries. Furthermore, the diversion of this waste stream from landfills or dumps prevents additional land use and the potential negative impacts on human health and the environment. E-waste collection and upgrading is a relatively small-scale but growing industry in SA. Only 12% of e-waste generated was estimated to be recycled in 2015. Most of SA’s ewaste volumes are inaccessible due to lack of formal take-back schemes, lack of consumer awareness, as well as e-waste being kept in storage or disposed of in landfills. E-waste recyclers in SA generally carry out collection, dismantling and sorting, refurbishing, as well as pre-processing of value fractions. There is currently limited local end-processing capacity, therefore partially upgraded value fractions are prepared for export, while non-viable fractions are stockpiled or disposed of in local landfills. The business case for local end-processing of e-waste value fractions, particularly metals, does not seem feasible due to the inconsistent and insufficient volumes available. Furthermore, SA faces unique socio-economic challenges such as an unregulated yet well-established informal sector. Additionally, the legal framework presents many inhibitors for e-waste recyclers. This research study builds upon the knowledge that there is a limited understanding of the feasibility of existing e-waste end-processing technologies for implementation in the South African socio-economic and legislative context. Therefore, this research intends to find out what are the key barriers and enablers to implementing e-waste end-processing technologies in SA. Qualitative research methods were used to uncover the current challenges faced by local recyclers and other stakeholders in the value chain. The data collection thus took the form of interviews, site visits and desktop research. The findings show that the e-waste recycling industry in SA is undergoing many new developments in terms of research and investment interest, as well as the anticipated outcomes from the recent submissions of Industry Waste Management Plans (IndWMP). The industry shows potential as an emerging secondary resource economy, however, the extent to which it will mature is dependent on the organisation of its collection network as well as the development of local end-processing and manufacturing capacity. The collection network and infrastructure are currently supported by both informal and formal recyclers who provide a diversity of collection strategies and a wide network of ewaste sources. However, efforts to increase recycling rates by accessing volumes in storage and increasing consumer awareness and engagement is necessary. Besides the economies of scale required to support the development of local end-processing, alternative technologies to large-scale smelting should be considered for the SA context. While this is seen through initiatives by SA Precious Metals, end-processing technologies is still inaccessible to small and medium recyclers due to cash flow issues as well as cherry-picking of high-grade materials. Therefore, recyclers require further support in terms of dealing with non-viable fractions. This includes research and investments into technologies and business models for the recycling of low-value materials including plastics, as well as subsidies for the cost of safe disposal or treatment of these fractions. Additionally, acquisition of product markets and an increase in manufacturing capacity is necessary to accelerate industry development. The legislative framework also poses limitations on recyclers in the e-waste value chain, stemming from the legal definition of e-waste as a liability as opposed to a resource. While the legislation is unlikely to change, provisions to relieve any legal barriers should be implemented. This includes permissions for pilot projects to test new technologies, as well as legal support for smaller recyclers in the form of consultancy as well as guidelines for sustainable waste management practices should be provided. Finally, while there are many challenges present in the e-waste recycling industry today, the IndWMP offers an opportunity for collaboration between key stakeholders, including the relevant government bodies. Plans have been submitted and the outcomes of approved plans will be revealed at the beginning of 2019. The plans offer solutions for recycling subsidies, increasing the collection and recycling rates, as well as investment into technology, research and enterprise development. However, successful implementation of these plans will only occur if integration and collaboration of the local e-waste community prevail over greed and the struggle for power

Impact of National and Municipal Environmental Standards on the Development of Effective Solid Waste Management Systems in Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

The following research paper analyzes the impact of national and municipal environmental standards on the development of effective Solid waste management systems in Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The research is essential in ensuring that there are notable positive changes in the disposal of solid waste by both the local government and the national government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The following paper follows a strategic plan and procedure in ensuring achievement of the goal and purpose of the research. The approach used in this paper is a comparison of the current local system and a proposed improvement of some of the legal laws surrounding Saudi Arabia’s environmental laws and regulations and the implementation of these laws in both the country’s local and national governments. The research relies on data collected from the legal documents and policies on waste by Jeddah’s city and government management authority. The findings reveal the origin and impact of solid wastes in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the environmental laws surrounding the disposal of waste, the challenges faced in the disposal of waste, and some of the changes and adjustments that the legal system in the country can put in place to ensure protection of environment. Some of these challenges include the negative effect of urbanization and the threat it posed in the collection of data and lack of proper coordination between both local and national government proved a challenge in ensuring provision of proper information. The conclusion reached in this paper is that Jeddah city lacks proper coordination from both the national government and local government in ensuring proper disposal of waste. Therefore, new laws distinguishing roles and responsibilities between both local and national governments are required

Functional Analysis and Object-Oriented Design- A Hybrid Methodology

We propose a methodology for information systems analysis and design which is a hybrid of two main streams in software engineering, the functional (or process-oriented) approach and the object-oriented (OO) approach. System analysis, which aims at eliciting and defining user requirements, continues to be carried out in the functional approach, utilizing data flow diagrams (DFD). System design, which aims at designing the software, is carried out in the OO approach, yielding an object model that consists of an object schema and a behavior schema (i.e., methods and messages). The transition from the functional model (in the analysis stage) to the OO model (in the design stage) is enabled by the use of ADISSA methodology, which facilitates design of the object schema from DFD data stores, and design of the behavior schema from transactions, which by themselves are derived from the DFDs

An investigative study of the present professional preparation for teachers in primary schools in Saudi Arabia, with especial reference to Islamic and Arabic subjects

The central aim of this thesis was to examine the experience of the kingdom of Saudi Arabia in the preparation and training of prospective Arabic and Islamic primary teachers at the Teachers' Colleges with special attention to professional preparation, as perceived by Arabic and Islamic student teachers, teaching staff and officials in the Ministry of Education, and also the Deans and Vice- Deans of Teachers' Colleges.The study incorporates a full review of literature concerning the pre-service teacher training programme in general and in Arabic and Islamic subjects in particular. A profile of Saudi Arabia and its modern educational system is presented, while the core concepts of Islamic education and related issues are also discussed, and the situation of Arabic and Islamic subjects in Saudi schools is described.The key contribution of the thesis is an evaluation of the Arabic and Islamic teacher training programme in the Teachers' colleges, drawing on the available documents and regulations, and on the questionnaire survey of 127 Arabic and Islamic student teachers and 346 teaching staff from Arabic, Islamic and Education departments in Teachers' colleges. Their perspectives are complemented by information and opinions obtained through interviews with college Deans and Vice-Deans, and relevant ministerial officials.The survey returns and interviews revealed a number of problems. Respondents indicated dissatisfaction with several aspects of the teacher training programmes, particularly those associated with teaching practice. Imbalance and lacunae in the curriculum, inadequate facilities, poor preparation for the practicum, and deficiencies in the supervision and evaluation of teaching practice were among the problems highlighted. Appropriate remedies are recommenced to improve the status and quality of teacher training and future research priorities are also identified

Review of Gender Differences in Learning Styles: Suggestions for Information Technology Education

According to the National Center for Women and Information Technology (NCWIT), only 21% of information and computer science degrees were awarded to women in 2006 (NCWIT, 2007). In the past decade, higher education has experienced a rapid decline in the number of women involved in the information sciences, particularly computer science (Bank, 2007). A number of social and educational factors have been considered barriers to women entering science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields and this area has been well studied in the literature. However, research examining the relationship between gender differences and learning styles in the context of these technical fields is limited. According to Kolb (1976), people decide on a major based on how well the norms of the major fit with their individual learning styles. This paper presents gender differences in learning styles and recommends teaching methodologies most preferred for female learners in information science and technology courses