This document discusses electronic waste (e-waste) recycling as a viable business in South Africa. It notes that e-waste volumes are growing significantly both globally and in South Africa. Formalizing e-waste recycling could be profitable, as shown through a sample business plan for a recycling facility. The document also outlines relevant e-waste recycling standards and legislation that would need to be followed. It argues that a formal e-waste recycling business could help address issues like decreasing landfill space and preventing environmental contamination from toxic e-waste components.

1. B Yose, NDip.
eWaste Recycling Technician
Department of Agriculture and Environmental
Affairs
KwaZulu-Natal,
South Africa
ELECTRONIC WASTE
RECYCLING:
A viable business

2. Scope
Introduction
Volumes of e-waste
E-waste recycling as a formal business
Recycling Standards
Relevant Legislation
Proposed Industry Plans
Benefits of formalizing e-waste recycling
Conclusion

3. Introduction
What is e-waste?
Broken/discarded electrical or electronic appliances
Electrical appliances: Fridges, Stoves, etc
Electronic appliances: Computers, Cellphones, etc
Why the concern with e-waste management?
Volume of e-waste
Health concerns
A viable business:
Is there a need for it?
Is there a potential market for it?
Can it yield a profit?

4. E-waste volume
Globally:
100 million computers in a population of 5.3 billion in
1990.
1 computer per 53 people.
1 billion computers in a population of 6.5 billion in
2005.
1 computer per 7 people
100 million computers were e-waste in 2004

5. E-waste volume
South Africa:
4.5 million computers in a population of 46.9 million in
2005.
1 computer per 10 people.
5.3 million computers in a population of 47.4 million in
2006.
1 computer per 9 people
500 000 computers were e-waste in 2004
5.3 million computers can be assumed to be e-waste
in 2012
20 % of computers imported in 2003 were e-waste
from developed countries

6. South African e-waste
Umsunduzi MunicipalityDept of Education (PMB)
Museum (PMB) KZN Wildlife

7. E-waste recycling as a formal
business
Glass recycling
business
5 workers
Salaries = R8 000
Petrol = R1 800
Collected = 60 000kg
Glass = R0.38/kg
Income =0.38*60000
= R22 800
Profit = R13 000/month
E-waste recycling business
5 (2) workers
Salaries = R8 000(R3 600)
Petrol = R1 800
Dismantled = 900 (180)
computers
Recyclables = 10 800 (4 320) kg
per month
Recyclables = R4.25/kg
Income =4.25*10800(4320)
= R45 900(R18 360)
CRT disposal = R6 480 (R2 592)
Profit = R29 620(R12 568)/month

8. E-waste recycling standards:
Similarities:
EHSMS
Data destruction
Transport
Record keeping
Differences:
E-waste exportation
Toxic e-waste disposal
Toxic chemicals
identification
Responsible recycling (R2) practises
vs
e-Stewards standard

9. E-waste recycling standards
eWASA technical guidelines
Data destruction
Transport
Record keeping
Disassembling processes

10. eWaste Recycling Manual
Developed by KZN DAEA in 2012
Manual based on work done at Cedara eWaste recovery
Facility from 2009
Lists PPE and Tools to use
Disassembling main components
Tower
Monitor
Keyboard
Safety precautions
Lists recyclables and hazardous components
Contact details for district offices

11. Navigating the legislative
environment
Waste management license (WML) and / or Environmental
Impact Assessment (EIA)
Construction of facilities
Storage of hazardous components of e- waste
Atmospheric Emission license (AEL)
Burning
Effluent Trade Permit (Municipality)
Production of liquid waste
Second hand goods act (SAPS)
Operating with second hand goods

12. Proposed industry waste
management plans
eWASA proposed industry
waste management plan
ITA proposed industry waste
management plan
NB: Dual income for recyclers from central bodies and
dealers in both plans

13. E-waste recycling business
benefits
Saving landfill space
Avoiding burying money
Avoiding toxic contamination of our environment
Protecting the informal e-waste recyclers from:
Diseases such as cancer
Glass implosion
Electric shock

14. Conclusion
Almost 6 million computers as e-waste
An estimated profit of R29 620 per month
Low numbers of landfill sites
Toxic contamination
Informal recycling

15. Thank you for your attention.
Any questions?
B Yose, NDip.
eWaste Recycling Technician
Department of Agriculture and Environmental Affairs
KwaZulu-Natal,
South Africa
Tel: 033-343 8284
Email: babalwa.yose@kzndae.gov.za