Toward a More Sustainable Trajectory for E-Waste Policy: A Review of a Decade of E-Waste Research in Accra, Ghana

Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2017 Jan 29;14(2):135. doi: 10.3390/ijerph14020135.

Abstract

Global flows of e-waste from the Global North to the Global South continue to damage local environments and harm human health. Weak e-waste regulations and limited use of safety measures for e-waste workers in Accra, Ghana, foster an exploitative environment within the industry, and pose health risks for those working and living near e-waste processing sites. This paper presents an integrated review of over 40 e-waste studies specific to Accra, with particular emphasis on the well-studied e-waste processing site in Agbogbloshie, and synthesizes the existing research base across interdisciplinary themes of human health, environmental health, globalization, trade and informalization, and public policy. Despite significant international attention to Accra's e-waste problem, loopholes within international environmental regulations and treaties provide few incentives and resources for Ghana to strengthen protections for human and environmental health. After a decade of e-waste research in Accra, the crisis continues to intensify; we present a renewed vision for sustainable e-waste policy reform in Ghana and beyond.

Keywords: Ghana; e-waste; environmental health; governance; public policy; recycling.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Electronic Waste / adverse effects*
  • Electronic Waste / analysis
  • Environmental Monitoring*
  • Environmental Policy*
  • Environmental Restoration and Remediation / legislation & jurisprudence
  • Environmental Restoration and Remediation / methods*
  • Geologic Sediments
  • Ghana
  • Humans
  • Occupational Exposure / legislation & jurisprudence
  • Occupational Exposure / prevention & control*
  • Recycling / legislation & jurisprudence
  • Recycling / methods*
  • Waste Disposal Facilities / legislation & jurisprudence*
  • Waste Management
  • Water Pollutants, Chemical / adverse effects*
  • Water Pollutants, Chemical / analysis

Substances

  • Water Pollutants, Chemical