The government of Tanzania is in the process of reviewing the National Information, Communications and Technology policy of 2003 to allow recycling of e-waste products in a bid to reduce pollution. Africa is often seen as a ‘dumping ground’ for so-called second-hand electronic and electric products. While in many cases this may be true, there is also a high element of dumping these products on the continent and many of the countries simply do not know how to deal with them.

The Deputy Minister for Communication, Science and Technology, Mr January Makamba, said that the move would also go hand in hand with measures to prevent increase in e-waste by encouraging modern technologies. He also said that the government will as a result be able to benefit economically by selling products emanating from the recycling of waste electronic and electric equipment (WEEE).

The main goal is to protect the citizens of the country from the varied health risks posed by e-waste as well as safeguarding the environment from the disposal of these products untreated which leads to persistent pollution.

The government’s processes were started in May of this year. It is hoped that jobs will be created and entrepreneurship be increased but for this to take place, policies need to be formulated and information disseminated effectively. Said Makamba, “I would like to take this opportunity to call upon members of parliament to contribute effectively to the formation of the policy and to collaborate during its implementation.”

He admitted that the current situation where such wastes are haphazardly thrown away was posing a health challenge as there are dangerous contents in those wastes.

“These wastes are harmful given the fact that electronic equipment contains chemicals such as lead, zinc and mercury among others of which are poisonous and dangerous for environment and people,” he said.

He also called upon district councils where members of the parliament are members to put in place strategies that help in ensuring proper ways of destroying such wastes.

“It is my hope that when the policy that we are working on is ready, the ICT sector will help in contributing to the efforts being made by the environmental sector in the management of e-waste,” he said.