The International E-Waste Day was developed in 2018 by the WEEE Forum with the support of its members. The day is used to raise the global profile of e-waste and encourage consumers in businesses and households to recycle their e-waste with the resulting increase in e-waste recycling rates on the day itself and into the future.

E-waste Producer Responsibility Organization of Nigeria, (EPRON) initiated the first commemoration of International E waste Day in Nigeria. Partnering with Stakeholders including United Nations Information Centre, (UNIC), Nigeria, United Nations Industrial Development Organization, UNIDO, International Labour Organisation, (ILO), the Federal Government of Nigeria, National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency, (NESREA), Lagos State Government: Ministry of Environment and Water Resources, Lagos State Environment Protection Agency, (LASEPA) and Allied Associations to organize a symposium at the Adeyemi Bero Hall, Alausa, Ikeja, in Lagos, on October 14, 2019 to mark the Day.

The event themed; E-Waste Management and the Achievement of the SDG’s in Nigeria provided an avenue for Presenters to discuss about issues relating to e-waste. At the end of the day Participants were able to leave the venue better informed about e-waste and its associated hazard; existing National regulations that are targeted at ensuring that e-waste is managed in an environmentally sound manner at its end of life, regional and local efforts by the United Nations to develop effective e-waste management strategies across Africa and in Nigeria. One thing resonated amongst all the Presenters; that e-waste should be seen as a resource with a large potential for creating decent jobs and fuelling a new generation of sustainable enterprises.

L-R, Director Inspection & Enforcement NESREA (Mrs. Miranda Amarachee), The Director, UNIC (Mr. Ronald Kayanja), Environmentalist (Prof. Oladele Osinbanjo), Director General/CEO NESREA (Professor. Aliyu Jauro), The General Manager LASEPA (Dr. Adedolapo Ayokunle Fasawe), (Mrs. Chinyere Emeka-Anuna) of ILO, (Mr. Oluyomi Banjo) of UNIDO, Member of IPAN, (Mrs. Bolanle Olumekor) of UNIC, an Environmentalist , Managing Director Hinckley Associates Nigeria (Mr. Adrien Clews), Executive Secretary EPRON (Mrs. Ibukun Faluyi).

Based on the foregoing, there is an urgent need to create more awareness so that Nigerian will connect with messages on proper E-waste management. Proper e-waste management will contribute to the achievement of Sustainable development goals, specifically Goal 3, Good health, 6, clean water and sanitation 8, Decent work and economic growth 11, sustainable cities and communities, 12, responsible consumption and production and 14 life below water.

The vision of EPRON is for a circular economy where end of life Electrical and Electronic Equipment (EEE) is managed as a resource and is returned into the economy as equipment for reuse or as a raw material for production of new products. A closed loop with market actors cooperating along the value chain, an appropriate and enforced legal framework, better collection processes, implementation of mandatory treatment standards based on Best Available Technologies – BAT, eradication of illegal practices and product design integrated in a life-cycle approach is what EPRON envisages. 

Together we can achieve this!!!