AMMAN — The ‘Reduction and elimination of persistent organic pollutants
(POPs)’ project launched by the Ministry of Environment with the support of the
UNDP aims to address the question of electrical and electronic waste management
in the
Kingdom.
اضافة اعلان
Representatives from both agencies discussed the project during a launch
event on Monday. They explored the role of the governmental sectors and the
private sector in this environmental venture, in addition to the ‘2021
electrical and electronic waste management instructions’ published earlier this
year.
“With the rise in use of electric and electrical devices, the issue of
e-waste has grown,” said UNDP Deputy Resident Representative Majeda Al Assaf
during the event. “There is a lack of awareness on its negative and dangerous
impacts, whether to the health or the environment.”
According to the Global E-waste Monitor, in 2019, approximately 53.6
million tons of e-waste was generated globally, equivalent to 7.3 kg per
capita.
While there are no recent studies on the topic in Jordan, experts made
estimations based on global reports. “Generally, e-waste makes up one to two
percent of waste,” said acting Secretary General of the Ministry of Environment
Mohammad Khashashneh during the event. This means that if Jordan generates an
estimated 3 million tons in solid waste a year, then about 30 thousand tons
would be electronic and electrical waste, he added.
“The exact percentages vary by country but in Jordan we probably are in
the middle of this range because our market is saturated with electric and
electronic devices.”
Yet, the impact of electronic waste on the public health and environment
is not limited to Jordan, he explained. In addition to being persistent, among
the properties of POPs is their ability to transfer across distances. This is
why global action through agreements and financial policies are required.
“We do not want to underestimate their impact on public health and the
environment,” said Khashashneh. He explained that improper e-waste management
is a serious issue that must be prioritized. “For example, in the burning of
the circuits in phones or computers to extract precious metals, which also
contain heavy metals such as lead and mercury, leads to the formation of metal
oxides that are toxic to inhale.”
These figures emphasized to the organizations the importance of having
policies regarding managing this waste. The first step was developing and
publishing the e-waste management instructions.
“The entities prepared instructions dedicated to electrical and electronic
waste management in an effort to limit the release of POPs that result from the
random and improper handling,” explained Director of Hazardous Substances and
waste management directorate Hajar Majar at the event.
“They are also to develop safe ways to manage and treat the waste
through implementing effective policies and a sustainable financial model,
collecting e-waste and raising awareness.”
The entities looked into the entire life cycle of electric and
electronic devices – from when they are imported and until they become waste
material– to create a system with penalties and incentives, according to Majar.
The experts agreed that the government, organizations and the private
sector all play a part in raising awareness and ensure that the policies are
being implemented. This not only creates a safer and more sustainable future,
but also creates green job opportunities and builds local capacity.
“We are not just talking about protecting public health and the
environment, we are also talking about new investment opportunities, and we are
talking about a circular economy,” said Khashashneh.
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