E-waste: One of the fastest growing solid waste streams in the world
Electronic waste, also known as e-waste, is one of the fastest growing solid waste streams in the world. This is due to the rapid pace of technological advancement and the increasing dependence of people on electronic devices. According to the World Economic Forum, approximately 50 million tons of e-waste are generated annually worldwide. E-waste includes various types of electronic equipment such as computers, televisions, mobile phones, printers, cameras, toasters, refrigerators, etc. These devices contain valuable materials and hazardous substances that can have harmful effects on the environment and human health if not managed properly.
Valuable materials found in e-waste include gold, silver, copper, platinum, palladium and rare earth elements. These materials can be recovered and reused through recycling, which can significantly reduce the demand for new raw materials and reduce the environmental impact of mining. However, extracting these materials from e-waste requires specialized techniques and equipment that are often lacking in developing countries.
Hazardous substances found in e-waste include lead, mercury, cadmium, chromium, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and various organic compounds. These substances can contaminate soil, water and air when e-waste is disposed of incorrectly or handled under inappropriate conditions. Exposure to these toxic substances can lead to a variety of health problems, including cancer, neurological damage and reproductive disorders.
To tackle the problem of e-waste, it is extremely important to encourage the responsible use, recycling and disposal of electronic equipment. As e-waste is a global problem, international cooperation is essential to develop coherent waste management policies and practices.
Here comes the essential role of the eWAsTER project, funded by the Interreg Euro-MED Program, which aims to promote local and regional policies for better e-waste management, reduce environmental damage from e-waste in the selected project areas, while promotes new innovative eco-business models based on the transformation of the current linear electrical and electronic (E&E) sector into a sustainable circular model.
Within the framework of the project, Local Action Plans for the prevention and management of e-waste will be developed in the regions of the partner organizations. For this purpose, UBBSLA, as a national partner for Bulgaria, conducted a survey among local authorities (municipalities), public administrations and state institutions, representatives of the private sector (manufacturers, importers, waste management companies, recycling organizations, reuse organizations) about accumulated e-waste at the local level, legislative framework and the main problems related to e-waste management in our country.
eWAsTER: RESULTS OF THE SURVEY CONDUCTED IN BULGARIA
The main problems facing national stakeholders (local and regional authorities, public institutions and private business) are due to a combination of factors, including lack of proper e-waste management, insufficient recycling and illegal dumping.
In Bulgaria, local authorities face a number of challenges in e-waste management. For example, many municipalities do not have sufficient facilities for the collection, storage and treatment of e-waste. This often leads to illegal e-waste disposal. In addition, in some remote areas of the country, access to e-waste collection and recycling facilities is severely limited, making it difficult to properly manage them. Municipalities often have limited budgets, which makes it difficult to invest in the necessary infrastructure and technologies for effective e-waste management. Another serious problem is the low level of public awareness – many citizens do not know how to properly dispose of their e-waste or why it is important to do so. This leads to high levels of illegal dumping and pollution in municipalities.
Companies in Bulgaria also face a number of challenges in e-waste management. These are usually related to the fact that collecting, transporting and recycling e-waste is expensive. This includes the cost of suitable collection containers, transport, permits and disposal fees. Many businesses also do not fully understand their obligations regarding e-waste management. They don’t know what to do with their old electronic equipment or where to dispose of it. In general, there are many companies in Bulgaria that offer e-waste recycling services. However, finding a solution that meets a company’s specific needs (such as the ability to recycle certain types of electronic equipment) can be challenging. Companies are increasingly focusing on waste reduction as part of their sustainability strategies. This may include switching to more sustainable products, extending the life of equipment or reusing components. However, managing the e-waste that is still generated remains an important challenge.
Specialized companies (licensed collectors) that legally collect e-waste face the following challenges: despite legal requirements, many companies do not hand over their e-waste to licensed collectors. Illegal operators often undercut the prices of licensed collectors, making them an attractive alternative for business. This creates unfair competition and reduces incentives for businesses to use legitimate collection services. Licensed collectors must cover the costs of equipment, personnel, permits and disposal fees. Although they are allowed to charge a fee for the service, finding customers willing to pay this fee is often a challenge.
According to the national stakeholders interviewed, the main reason for e-waste in the seas as a whole (for our country – the Black Sea) is a combination of factors, including lack of proper waste management, insufficient recycling and illegal dumping. Many municipalities (mostly small ones) bordering the Black Sea do not have adequate infrastructure for electronic waste management. These include an insufficient number of recycling facilities, insufficient capacity of existing facilities, and a lack of public recycling programs. Without these basic systems, e-waste often ends up in landfills or improperly disposed of. Even when recycling facilities exist, they may not be efficient enough or operate at full capacity. This may be due to insufficient funding, lack of technology or insufficient staff. As a result, many e-wastes are not properly recycled, leading to environmental pollution and health problems. Illegal dumping of e-waste is a serious problem in both the Black Sea and Mediterranean regions. This could be due to a variety of factors, including low fines for offenders, lack of enforcement and lack of public awareness of the harm it causes. E-waste is often dumped in open dumps, rivers or other natural areas, causing soil, water and air pollution. Consumers in the Black Sea and Mediterranean region, like many parts of the world, are looking for cheap goods, often without considering the environmental impact of their production and disposal. This search for cheap products contributes to overproduction and overconsumption, which leads to the generation of more e-waste.
