Assessment Of Policy And Regulation As An Intervention For E-Waste Management On The Environment.

Abstract

E-waste consists of obsolete and discard of electronic appliances such as mobile phones, like TVs, computers or household usage like microwaves, fridges, water dispensers and electric iron boxes among others. The helpfulness of these electronics and electrical equipment have led to their irresistible demand either for telecommunications or other mechanical usage. Prevalent consumption has given rise to huge amounts of waste of electrical and electronic equipment spawned from old or obsolete electronics. Management of e-waste in transitional countries, Kenya included, is one of the least considered topics on environmental field. The main goal of the study was to assess policy and regulation as an intervention for e-waste management in Maasai Mara University and on the neighbouring environment through systematic examination of the present generation, disposal and management methods to curb electronic waste threat in the environment. The research objectives were: to identify various types of e-waste generated, to assess effectiveness of e-waste management policies and practices employed, to establish the impacts of e-waste in the university and the neighbouring community and to find out the underlying barriers to effective e-waste management. The research design utilized were both descriptive and exploratory to obtain qualitative and quantitative data. The study area was in Maasai Mara University and the targeted population were students, ICT and other departmental offices who are the services users. The study used both the primary and secondary data. The secondary data was obtained from the literature review in journals, publications, conference reports and maps. The primary data for this study were collected using interviews, observations, photographs and questionnaires from the heads of departments and officers in academic schools in the university. The acquired data from the questionnaires administered was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Scientists (SPSS) version 16.0 and Microsoft (MS) Excel and discussed where necessary to reach conclusions. The analysed data discovered that the university is also a contributing producer of e-waste ranging from electronic accessories, phones, heater, coil, computers, woofer, printers and photocopiers. There was clear indication that the level of enforcement of the policy and regulations on e-waste was very low hence most of these waste are carelessly and uncontrollably thrown away. The awareness level on the hazardous components (substances and chemicals) of obsolete electronic equipment was also very low as most of the respondents could not know the associated impacting diseases of the uncontrolled disposal of such products either to the environment or human health. On the measure that would enhance management of e-waste, the recommendations proposed by the study were: enforcement of regulations and policies on e-waste, place garbage bins in strategic points, create more awareness on e-waste, reduced collection efforts by university workers and improved concern by the administration or responsible departments on their role in management of e-waste products.