WEEE treatment in Ethiopia: Best of Two Worlds strategies to environmental impact minimization

This research work focuses on the study of end-of-life electric and electronic products, especially ICT equipment, and on determining the optimal treatment methods to assure minimal environmental impact taking into account the economic boundary conditions and available infrastructure in Ethiopia. As is the case in many developing countries, presently Ethiopia is seen as an ‘open’ market for passing on old, almost obsolete electronic equipment. Due to unsafe disposal and non-recycling of such equipment in a well-managed way, this practice results in severe environmental burden. The absence of e-waste regulation that manages the disposal and recycling of this electronic equipment is part of this problem. This research project will provide a systematic and explanatory analysis of optimized WEEE treatment by implementing Best of Two Worlds strategies to create economic value while reducing the environmental burden of WEEE in the region.