EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Background
Zambia is experiencing an increase in the volume of waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE). This is referred to as e-waste, the term that is used to cover all types WEEE. E-waste, exacerbated by the high-level demand for electronic gadgets and subsequent influx of second-hand equipment from developed countries, many of which are old, near or at end of life.
With the lack of the needed investment, recycling technologies and facilities to adequately handle e-waste in an environmentally sound manner, e-waste is currently either landfilled, dumped illegally or burnt in Zambia. E-waste contains large amounts of heavy metals and other toxic chemicals such as lead, mercury, cadmium and brominated flame retardants, which when released into the environment due to inappropriate disposal, pose significant adverse environmental health risks to the local communities.