Challenges of E-Waste Disposal: A Case of Lusaka City

Abstract

The management of e-waste is a serious environmental challenge. In relation with waste generation, there is inadequate infrastructure for waste collection, transport, treatment, and disposal. The paper wishes to highlight on the current e-waste management practices in Lusaka city, highlighting on challenges of e-waste disposal by residents of selected areas in Lusaka to cure the problems waste management and establish initiatives to improve e-waste disposal for a better sustainable waste management in the district. The following are the specific objectives, to assess the e-waste awareness in selected areas Lusaka, to ascertain the challenges faced by waste management companies and to find out strategies of e-waste hazardous waste management in Lusaka city. The study applied mixed methods of qualitative and quantitative methods with a sample size of 60 comprising 50 questionnaire-based respondents and 10 interview based informants. Random and purposive sampling methods were used in the study. The findings of the study will indicate the management of e-waste in Lusaka and recommendations will be drawn from the results. The household participant’s understanding and knowledge of e-waste was high they demonstrated that they are aware about e-waste. 80% of the respondents stated that they had the full knowledge of what e-waste is and 20% did not know, nonetheless the respondents did not know how and where the waste is supposed to be disposed, the repair shop owners also shows that they understand the e-waste but do not now how to disposed or where it can be recycled.