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Over the years electronic discards have become one of fastest growing segments of the waste stream threatening the environment.
EMA director-general Ms Mutsa Chasi said the initiative was aimed at reducing environmental pollution.
“We want to provide guidelines for the disposal of e-waste without harming the environment. Consultation with all stakeholders is underway.
“Some people as we speak have huge stocks of e-waste which they do not know what to do with and this will be addressed through the procedure document,” she said.
In developed countries recycling and disposal of e-waste may involve significant risk to workers and communities and great care must be taken to avoid unsafe exposure in recycling operations and leaching of material such as heavy metals from landfills and incinerator ashes.
Certain components of some electronic products contain materials that render them hazardous, depending on their condition and density.
For instance, non-functioning CRTs (cathode ray tubes) from televisions are hazardous.
CRTs may contain contaminants such as lead, cadmium, beryllium, or brominated flame retardant, mercury, cadmium, arsenic, antimony trioxide, selenium, chromium and cobalt.
Over 75 percent of waste electrical goods end up in dumpsites, where lead and other toxins that they contain can cause soil and water contamination.
This can have a very harmful effect on natural habitat, wildlife and also human health.
Under the e-Cycling Campaign, EMA is currently working with electronics manufacturers, retailers and Government agencies to reduce the environmental impacts of electronic products during their production, use, and disposal. — New Ziana.
Online Reporter