The rapid changes in technology, changes in media (tapes, software, MP3), falling prices and the burning desire to have the newest, fastest gadgets on the market have resulted in a fast-growing surplus of E-waste in South Africa.
E-waste isn’t just waste as it contains some very toxic substances that are harmful to people and the environment. This includes mercury (in switches and relays), lead (in the solder), cadmium, arsenic, beryllium, hexavalent chromium and brominated flame retardants.
The toxic materials in electronics can cause cancer, reproductive disorders, endocrine disruption and many other health problems if this waste stream is not properly managed.
If E-waste is landfilled or incinerated the hazardous chemical pollutants that are released into the atmosphere, soil and underground water pose serious detrimental health and environmental risks. It is therefore essential that E-waste is managed, recycled and disposed of in the prescribed manners as stipulated in South Africa's legislation.
Recycling raw materials from end-of-life electronics is the most effective solution to the growing e-waste problem. This recycling is done by sorting, dismantling, and recovery of valuable materials. After the recovery of the valuable materials, the hazardous components are then handled, transported and disposed of at an accredited hazardous landfill site, by an accredited service provider, which can amount to an expensive procedure.
In late 2013, Eden District Municipality in collaboration with Bitou, Knysna, George, Hessequa and Mossel Bay Municipalities, together with Ma’bone, an Integrated and Hazardous Waste Management Company, from George, held an E-Waste Day in each respective municipality where members of the public could dispose of their e-waste free of charge. A total of 384kg of e-waste was received from Hessequa Municipality, 1 300kg from Mossel Bay Municipality, 967kg from Knysna Municipality and 410kg was received from Bitou Municipality.
While George residents dispose of their e-waste directly at the Ma’bone depot, in Goerge Industria, on an ongoing basis, permanent e-waste disposal facilities will now be made available in Knysna and Mossel Bay, where e-waste can be disposed of free of charge. Two marked e-waste containers, sponsored by Valley Containers on a six month trial basis, one of which will be placed at the Knysna Waste Transfer Station, and one at the Sonskynvallei Transfer Station in Mossel Bay, have been available from March 18. The e-waste of these containers will be collected by Ma’bone on a regular bases.
The success of the project will be determined by the public's cooperation and willingness to participate. Residents are encouraged to support this drive to stop the illegal dumping of e-waste, and to make use of the facilities provided.
Any enquiries regarding the disposal of e-waste and available facilities can be directed to the waste managers of the specific municipalities:
- Knysna Municipality: John Jaftha - 044 302 6405;
- Bitou Municipality: Randall Bower - 044 501 3269;
- George Municipality: Wessel Robertson - 044 802 2900;
- Mossel Bay Municipality: Lanese Hesselman - 044 606 5000;
- Oudtshoorn Municipality: Jean Cox - 044 203 3000;
- Hessequa Municipality: Etienne Thuizen - 028 713 8020, and
- Kannaland Municipality: Cornil Hendricks - 028 551 1023.
