Setting up public e-waste collection points at the municipal level: successes and challenges of Pikitup’s e-waste pilot programme (2007)
| Title | Setting up public e-waste collection points at the municipal level: successes and challenges of Pikitup’s e-waste pilot programme (2007) |
| Publication Type | Proceedings Article |
| Year of Conference | 2008 |
| Authors | Finlay A |
| Conference Name | Waste Management Conference (WasteCon2008) |
| Conference Start Date | 06.10.2008 |
| Conference Location | Durban, South Africa |
| Keywords | e-waste, Electronic waste, Hazardous waste, metro, municipal, Pikitup, recycling, waste collection |
| Abstract |
This paper presents the results of an evaluation of a pilot e-waste collection programme launched by the City of Johannesburg's waste management service provider, Pikitup. The evaluation was conducted on behalf of the e-Waste Association of South Africa (eWASA), which supported the launch of Pikitup's programme in October 2006. The programme was ambitious, with 25 Garden Sites being earmarked for e-waste collection. This was to complement other waste streams being collected by what the company called ‘entrepreneurs' at the Garden Sites, including plastics, paper, cans, oil and scrap metal. The evaluation included interviews with Pikitup management, site visits, and the participation of a recycler who recorded e-waste volumes collected at four Garden Sites over a two-month period. The paper shows that while Pikitup's initiative is to be commended for its vision, and while it has helped to create awareness around e-waste, the programme has faced several crucial challenges, including the management of the Garden Sites, training of staff, security, and institutional buy-in. Nevertheless, the paper suggests that the Pikitup pilot offers a useful way for metros across the country to understand some of the challenges they can expect to face when launching an e-waste collection programme, and in this respect is an invaluable learning opportunity. It also suggests several recommendations for Pikitup to improve and refine its e-waste programme.
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