As on 2020, Kenyans will no longer be able to import second hand electronic gadgets after the government placed a ban on them.
Ayub Macharia, Director of Environmental Education, “The move to ban import of old electronic gadgets will be contained in the Extended Producer Responsibility Regulations. We are putting strict regulations to deter import of obsolete electronics. By March, these regulations will be operational.”
He added that Kenya’s e-waste problem is getting out of hand, with most coming from developed countries.
He made this announcement speaking at the International E-Waste Day at the WEEE (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment) Centre in Utawala which offers recycling services to the public.
WEEE General Manager, Boniface Mbithi, says that Kenya generates north of 44,000 tonnes of e-waste yearly.
He explains that this could also be higher due to the lack of a framework to capture the exact metrics accurately.
The WEEE collects 25 tonnes of e-waste monthly. It however has the capacity to collect 100 tonnes.
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Once the ban kicks in, low income Kenyans will be worst hit, as the cost of buying new devices will be higher.
Mr. Macharia said, “Those who sell the non-biodegradable equipment will have to adhere to deposit return scheme.”
This means that buyers will pay a fee on top of the initial price of the device, and will only get it back when they return the product or purchase a new one.
The new regulations are expected to officially take effect in March of 2020.
