E-waste policy to push up prices of electronics

Radios, television sets and computers are set to become more expensive as the environmental agency prepares to implement rules for managing electronic waste in Kenya.

The prices of the appliances and gadgets are expected to rise by five per cent once the guidelines are implemented, giving manufacturers, dealers, consumers and recyclers incentives for reducing e-waste.

The rules establish mechanisms for proper transportation, handling, storage and recycling of TVs, radios, computers and mobile phones.

“We are engaging all stakeholders and these guidelines should be finalised by November and form the basis for a new environmental policy that should be complete in the next 12 to 18 months. It will have a stronger focus on e-waste which has not been adequately addressed in previous legislation,” said Mr Malwa Langwen, the director Compliance and Enforcement at the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA). 

The guidelines provide for up-front fees in addition to regular import duties to be levied on electronic goods entering the country, with dealers saying the fees will be passed on to consumers.

“The fees have not yet been decided. We, however, project small charges of between two to five per cent on retail prices as volumes will be high. We want to be sure that every electronic item entering the country or manufactured locally will be properly handled at the end of its life,” Mr Langwen said.

Largest manufacturer

Nokia, the largest mobile manufacturer and Computer for Schools Kenya, a not-for profit organisation, are some of the few firms engaged in recycling electronic products.

Mr Langwen said investors have expressed interest in setting up facilities to recycle electronic goods but lack of legal backing to guarantee volumes has been a major barrier.

The new rules hope to create a monetary-based incentive structure to speed up recycling and proper e-waste disposal.

Manufacturers and large ICT goods consumers like the government and learning institutions will provide their e-waste to a new organisation that will pay them a price for disposal.

The collection agency, Producer Responsibility Organisation, will then sell the e-waste to recyclers who are expected to make money from the sale of recycled items or valuable components extracted from the goods.

Electronic goods manufacturers will however fund the cost of setting up the collection agency, a move that is set to raise operational costs in the near term. Nevertheless, major players are supporting the regulations.

“Our business is making mobile phones but we are very clear that we have a responsibility in the way we run our business to respect the environment and act ethically. We look across the whole lifecycle of the phone and aim to reduce environmental impacts in all phases,” Mr Kenneth Oyolla, the general manager at Nokia East and Southern Africa said.

A stronger e-waste policy is expected to formalize the recycling business that has remained in the hands of small players, having little expertise, capital and often working without protective gears, leaving them exposed to dangerous elements embedded in electronic items like lead and mercury.
Increased uptake
The increased uptake of technology, low initial cost, and constant replacement or upgrade of gadgets have been blamed for the fast generation of e-waste in Kenya.
According to the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP), the annual generation of e-waste in Kenya stands at 11,400 tonnes from refrigerators, 2,800 tonnes from TVs, 2,500 tonnes from personal computers, 500 tonnes from printers and 150 tonnes from mobile phones.
Disposal of e-waste will be done in specialised land fills identified by Nema and local authorities. 

The environmental body has ruled out incineration of e-waste, citing lack of proper facilities. 

By VICTOR JUMA