EnviroLine

ZEMA AND ZICTA COLLABORATE ON E-WASTE
By Friday Phiri
ZEMA Director of Operations, Gift Sikaundi (left), ZEMA Corporate Affairs Manager, Iren L. Chipili (Middle) and
TCH E-Waste CEO, Towa Chilongo (Right) addressing journalists at the TCH-Waste Facility
Amidst fast-paced technological advancements globally,
consumption of electrical and electronic equipment
is undoubtedly on the rise. However, when
such equipment enters a used and end-of-life state,
they become Electronic Waste (e-Waste).
According to the Global E-waste Monitor, the world
discards approximately 50 million tonnes of e-waste
per year, and only 20% is formally recycled. It is for
this reason that e-waste is globally recognised as a
challenge requiring attention.
E-waste contains toxic materials harmful to human
health and the environment. Inappropriate management
of this waste stream which is hazardous remains
a challenge in Zambia.
To address this, the Zambia Environmental Management
Agency (ZEMA and Zambia Information and
Communications Technology Authority (ZICTA) are
promoting effective eco-friendly e-waste management
and disposal practices in the country.
The two regulatory Agencies signed a Memorandum
of Understanding (MoU) in 2016 to enhance sensiti-
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zation and enforcement efforts on e-waste.
As part of this collaboration, ZICTA and ZEMA on
11th June, 2020 witnessed the collection of e-waste
from Lafarge Zambia Plc, by TCH E-Waste Limited,
one of the licensed e-waste facilities in Zambia. An
estimated 15 tonnes of e-waste was collected for
purposes of recycling as well as export for onward
processing.
ZEMA Manager, Corporate Affairs, Irene
Lungu Chipili:
“In line with the provisions of the Environmental
Management Act (EMA) No.12 of 2011 and subsidiary
legislation, ZEMA regulates hazardous waste
which includes e-waste.
When e-waste is disposed of at non-hazardous landfills,
their toxic materials seep into groundwater, affecting
both land and aquatic life. And when it is
burnt, resultant toxic chemicals are released, polluting
the air and presenting a high risk to human
health and the environment. For these reasons, safe
disposal of e-waste is important.