Kenyan unlicensed e-waste “garages” dispose of products carelessly, claims director.
The National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) has spoken out against unlicensed refurbishers of e-waste in Kenya, All Africa has reported.
NEMA Director General Ayub Macharia stated that unlicensed garages do not possess the capabilities to recycle e-waste appropriately and may dispose of it carelessly, which can lead to health hazards through exposure to toxic materials.
“Kenya is currently faced with a big problem in handling e-waste. Unlicensed refurbishers often collect electronic devices from consumers and they dispose them carelessly and thereby releasing toxic substances into the environment.”
Macharia stated that there were only two genuine refurbishers in Kenya: Computers for Schools Kenya and HP.