E-Waste: From Innovation to Pollution

When you think of waste, what comes to mind? Perhaps leftover food, banana peels or empty cans. But there is a more insidious type of waste that is rapidly growing across the globe: electronic waste, or e-waste. This includes discarded devices such as computers, mobile phones, household appliances, and even medical equipment. E- Waste is far more dangerous than it seems.

Millions of discarded electronics vanish from our sight, but their journey doesn’t end there. Hidden in this global trail of waste are stories of environmental damage, loopholes in international laws, and countries overwhelmed by the world’s unwanted gadgets

Every year, the world generates 62 million tons of e-waste, yet only 22.3% is recycled responsibly. The remaining 48 million tons? They pile up in landfills, are burned, or are shipped illegally across borders, poisoning ecosystems and communities. In Africa, the situation is dire: only 1% of e-waste is properly processed, leaving the continent disproportionately exposed to the fallout from this toxic tide while much of this waste isn’t even locally generated but imported under the guise of second-hand goods.

Take Tanzania as an example. In 2021, the country had over 53 million registered mobile phones. Yet, a 2022 investigation revealed that 77% of electronics imported through Dar es Salaam ports were substandard, classified as waste under the Basel Convention criteria and Tanzania E-waste management regulations. The Convention, aimed at preventing hazardous waste exports, is often bypassed, turning places like Zanzibar into entry points for these discarded gadgets. The Basel Convention was designed to halt such cross-border dumping, but loopholes persist, making a dumping ground for the world's unwanted gadgets.

The numbers are clear. In 2022, 5.3 billion of the 16 billion mobile phones globally were expected to be discarded. With 82.3% of Tanzanians aged 15 and older owning a mobile phone, and 33,000 tons of e-waste produced annually, the scale of this crisis is undeniable.

E-waste is a ticking time bomb for human health. These discarded electronics contain over 1,000 harmful substances like lead and mercury. When improperly dismantled or incinerated, these chemicals contaminate air, soil, and water, threatening communities and ecosystems.

Many of these toxic materials are known or suspected to cause harm to human health, and several are included by the WHO in the 10 chemicals of public health concern. Lead exposure is particularly harmful to children, impairing brain development and causing irreversible health problems.

Lead from improperly handled e-waste can pass through the placenta and even taint breast milk. This exposure can lead to miscarriages, premature births, or low birth weight in babies. The risks for young children are even greater, as their bodies absorb 4-5 times more lead than adults. Their curious nature and frequent hand-to-mouth behavior make them highly susceptible to exposure through contaminated dust, soil, or paint.

Once inside the body, lead travels to critical organs like the brain, kidneys, liver, and bones, where it can remain for years. In pregnant women, stored lead may re-enter the bloodstream, putting unborn children at risk. Malnourished children are particularly vulnerable as deficiencies in calcium and iron increase the absorption of lead.

The effects of lead poisoning on children’s health are severe and irreversible. High levels can damage the brain and nervous system, leading to seizures or even death. Even low levels of lead can stunt brain development, reduce IQ, impair learning abilities, and lower academic performance. No amount of lead in the bloodstream is safe; even minimal exposure has harmful consequences.

The global burden of lead poisoning is scary. In 2021 alone, the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) reported over 1.5 million deaths linked to lead exposure, with cardiovascular complications being the leading cause.

Tanzania has taken steps to address e-waste, including the development of strategies for managing electronic waste and promoting recycling. The government, in partnership with international organizations, has worked on creating action plans to control the importation of substandard electronics, and community-based initiatives. Additionally, the National Bureau of Statistics is collaborating with the Vice President’s Office to improve data collection on e-waste, supporting better policy decisions. While these efforts are commendable, challenges such as insufficient infrastructure and funding remain a barrier

As the world continues to discard its unwanted gadgets, the burden falls on developing nations already struggling with waste management. The data speaks for itself: loopholes in international treaties and a lack of enforcement are creating an environmental crisis. It's time to demand stronger regulations and take responsibility for the devices we leave behind. The journey of your old phone is far from over — and it’s not too late to make a difference