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Pitch

e-waste is much hazardous than general waste so recycling of e-waste is more important, especially in developing countries like Pakistan.


Description

Summary

Electronic waste (e-waste) is being generated in huge quantities all over the world so e-waste management has become a global issue. Pakistan is importing huge quantities of both used and new electronic products but there is no legislation and procedure to treat e-waste, so it ends up in either burning or landfill. There is also no public awareness about treatment of e-waste. As e-waste is very hazardous, so improper treatment is resulting in many diseases and environmental issues. ePure company will be established in Pakistan which will initially work in educational institutes and all the e-waste will be collected which will be re-cycled at specific places by trained staff. All the e-waste will be re-cycled and re-used to make new stuff. This will not only generate revenue, provide employment but will also be very helpful for environment. 


Category of the action

Reducing emissions from waste management


What actions do you propose?

In Pakistan, we have a plan to launch a company entitled “ePure” which will have number of roles regarding e-waste management. From January 2017 we will start working on its website which will be completed in 3 months time. It will arrange some awareness sessions in academic institutes/universities as well as industries. Through NAYS Pakistan, we are already providing training on various issues of Bioasfety in clinical and research institutes. We will provide a proper disposal container for e-waste to each and every industry/institute so that they can discard all the electronic equipment in that container (Initially it will be started in Lahore which is 2nd largest city of Pakistan). At the end of every month, we will collect all the discarded material containing old PC, keyboards, printers, cellular phones, recorders, circuit boards, wires etc. It will be transported to a dedicated place where trained personnel will deal with them (dismantling, re-cycling). Various metallic components will be separated out while plastic and glass ware will be segregated and processed for re-cycling. Usable spare parts would be sold out in a proper manner separately to the electronic markets. Our mission is to have zero dumping of e-waste in Pakistan and we will accomplish this mission till 2025. So far there is no proper training of workers to handle e-waste but in our case, we will provide proper training and personal protective equipment's (PPEs) to all the workers. During the segregation process, the workers will use simple masks and puncture resistant gloves to avoid any cut from sharp boards and other metallic parts. During the chemical treatment process of e-waste, the workers will use special mask (fume masks), chemical resistant gloves, safety googles, special suit and if they will be working indoor, they will work in specific fume hood to protect their health and also to protect environment.   

In addition to public awareness ePure will also help the government to make proper polices to manage e-waste in Pakistan. 


Who will take these actions?

We will make a company with the name ePure and company will work to manage e-waste in Pakistan. Initially the work will be started in educational institutes which will be later translated all over the country. After the initial investment, the company will work on self-sustain model by utilizing the re-cycling the e-products and manufacturing of new products. The revenue will be generated by selling the processed e-waste. 


Where will these actions be taken?

Initially the company will be established in Lahore Pakistan. Lahore is 2nd largest city of Pakistan. After successful launch in Lahore, the company will be expanded to other cities of Pakistan and ultimately will cover the whole country till 2030. In addition, we will also work with other companies which are working in similar areas and will provide them educational and technical support. 


What are other key benefits?

eWaste is major health concern in the country as it contains heavy toxic metals (arsenic, barium, beryllium, cadmium, chromium, lead, lithium, nickle etc.) and other toxic compounds (chlorofluorocarbons, polyvinyl chrloride etc). Burning of e-waste also cause severe health problems. So, if the e-waste will be managed in proper way. it will help to reduce the e-waste in the country. It will greatly help environment and population and handlers of e-wate will also be protected from harmful effects of e-waste. 


How much will emissions be reduced or sequestered vs. business as usual levels?

E-waste is major concern in Pakistan, so far less than 10% e-waste is re-cycled in Pakistan and where it is re-cycled, it is not treated in proper way. By the establishment of ePure, we will be able to re-cycle e-waste up to 50% by 2020 which will have great impact on the environment and health of local population. After the success of this model, this can be translated in many other developing countries. 


What are the proposal’s costs?

The initial cost will be to establish the company and start of services. The company will be established by two person who will look after all the matters, we need a website, containers to put in the educational institutes and a workshop for re-cycling of electronic materials. Initially the company will need around 100,000 USD for 3 years to start the project. After this the company will work on self-sustain basis by utilizing the e-waste to generate money. 


Time line

Initially we have a 3 years plan in Lahore to start website, containers for e-waste collection as well as a workshop/re-cycling station where the waste will be re-cycled. Later, we will expand to all the major cities of Punjab in 5 years (2025) and by 2030 we will be able to cover the whole country. 


Related proposals


References

http://www.dawn.com/news/1032967

http://tribune.com.pk/story/511915/pakistan-needs-to-regulate-hazardous-e-waste

http://tribune.com.pk/story/517199/report-exposes-pakistans-e-waste-recycling-workers-plight

http://www.hindawi.com/journals/ecri/2011/474230