FAQ

E-waste means electrical or electronic equipment that is waste, including all components, sub-assemblies and consumables which are part of the equipment at the time the equipment becomes waste. Type of equipments that can become e-waste include the following six categories: 1. Temperature exchange equipment like refrigerators, heat pump or air conditioners. 2.Screens, monitors etc. 3. Lamps. 4. Large equipment i.e. household appliances (washing machines, large computer-mainframes, large printing machines, large medical devices, photovoltaic panels among others 5. Small equipment including vacuum cleaners, microwaves, ventilation equipment, irons etc. 6. Small IT equipment like mobile phones, GPS, routers, personal computers, printers etc.

“Environmentally sound disposal” means disposal in a manner which will project human health and the environment against the adverse effects of the hazardous wastes and other wastes.

The Government of Ghana has taken several steps to facilitate safe e-waste management in the country. One of the key measures taken by the government is the passage of the Hazardous and Electronic Waste Control and management Act, 2016 (Act 917) which has been absorbed into the Environmental Protection Act, 2025 (Act 1124).   This Act provides a legal framework for the management and disposal of e-waste in Ghana, and it mandates the establishment of an e-waste management fund to support the collection and recycling of e-waste.

Additionally, Technical Guidelines on Environmentally Sound E-Waste Management for Collectors, Collection Centers, Transporters, Treatment Facilities and Final Disposal in Ghana were issued. From November, 2018, all electrical and electronic equipment and tires exported to Ghana will have to be registered on the SGS Exporter Portal to enable exporters to create e-environmental declaration form listing the goods to be supplied under a specific consignment as well as to proceed with the payment of the advance eco-levy. The collected eco-levy can support safe e-waste management in Ghana.

To safeguard the environment and human health from the toxic substances present in e-waste, it is important to dispose of our electronic waste through proper channels that ensure its delivery to registered collectors and licenced recyclers for the recovery of materials and safe disposal.

Give your e-waste to the nearest registered collector or e-waste collection centres/recyclers. Do not mix e-waste with other household trash. Participate in E-waste Awareness programme for more information.

Health is wealth – dispose right

Know how protect your health and the environment by dispose of your e-waste safely.

This growing stream of e-waste contains valuable resources such as gold, silver, palladium, platinum, cobalt and copper, as well as other resources such as iron and aluminium. The informal scavenging of e-waste in uncontrolled dumping sites has become a source of income for many people.

The informal processing of e-waste exposes workers to a range of hazardous compounds, including heavy metals such as mercury, lead and cadmium, as well as cadmium and other toxic by-products, through open burning, heating and acid leaching (using cyanide, nitric acid or mercury) to extract precious metals.

Direct contact with these harmful materials or exposure to toxic fumes can lead to health problems such as skin irritation, respiratory issues, and even cancer. In addition, recycling activities such as open burning or dismantling of electrical equipment carry an increased risk of impact on human health and the environment.

Exposure routes into the human body

INGESTION
of contaminated food, liquids, breast milk, soil and dust, including from dust-contaminated
objects and surface

INHALATION
of aerosol gases and particles, including particulate matter from open burning

SKINCONTACT
with corrosive substances and other chemicals

Negative Impacts

Drinking-water, crops, livestock and aquatic animals, crops, such as rice, are grown in areas where informal e-waste recycling occurs are impacted. Seepage water from e-waste recycling and chemicals such as acid and cyanide used during the recycling process can contaminate the surroundings. Further, the ingestion of household dust and contaminated soil also poses a risk, especially for children.

Inhalation is a critical route of exposure to e-waste pollutants that are burned, heated or subjected to chemical reactions. These include particulate matter, PAHs, dioxins, furans, PCBs and brominated flame, retardants released from the burning of e-waste materials. Children are at greater risk from inhalation because of their higher breathing rate than adults.

Dispose right in Simple Steps

The Disposal Process

Collection

Bring your e-waste to a collection centre or hand over to a registered collector.

Transportation

A licenced agencies will ensure safe handling and transportation.

Processing

Trained staff will safely dismantle the received e-waste following standard procedures

Recycling

Material recovery is ensured at specialised recycling facilities where pollution is minimised.