Introduction 

Greenpeace Africa seeks the services of two consultants- one consultant per country, to carry out a detailed socioeconomic study on e-waste dumping in Ghana and Kenya. We are looking for individual consultants who are skilled and have previous experience in the subject matter. The study will be executed over a 3-month period from March – May 2025.

Background 

Waste colonialism is a story of exploitation, driven by social injustices, power imbalances and the continuation of historic colonialism. The vast amount of waste coming from Europe, the US, Australia and New Zealand is exported without any consideration of what happens to it when it leaves their shores. There are two main ways to deal with waste pollution: domestic management and export. Due to the environmental risks and economic benefits, global waste trade flows from high-income countries to low-income countries to save on cost and transfer the risks to communities in developing countries. This is also enabled by local governments and officials who benefit from proceeds of these imports at the cost of their country’s environment and health of communities in terms of proceeds from these imports.

After China stopped the world from importing plastics waste to their country in 2017, Africa experienced a surge in plastic, textile and electronic waste dumping, often under the umbrella of “recycling”, “technological transfer” or “donated clothing”. However, a significant proportion of these goods end up being improperly managed and eventually contribute to the pollution of land and water bodies. It becomes detrimental to the health of waste pickers and communities directly working with this waste. ILO and WHO estimate that millions of women and child labourers working in the informal recycling sector globally may be at risk of hazardous e-waste exposures.

Africa is a growing destination for discarded electronics from developed countries. Much of this e-waste is improperly disposed of, leading to environmental contamination and health hazards. A case in point is Agbogbloshie, the world’s largest electronic waste dump site in Ghana which receives hundreds of thousands of tons of e-waste, primarily from Western Europe and the United States. This waste is mostly untested rejects and dead electronics that are exported in the disguise of “technological transfer”. This toxic waste is often shipped under the disguise of “bridging the electronic divide between the global north and south.” The e-waste ends up in the hands of the “burner boys” who dismantle and burn the waste to extract essential metals such as silver, copper and aluminium – exposing them to dangerous cancerous fumes that reduce their lifespan and increasing toxic pollution in Ghana’s capital city of Accra. These Poverty-stricken Ghanaian communities, including children as young as 6 years old, engage in hazardous e-waste sorting and burning leading to severe health risks, including respiratory illnesses and cancer, whilst the waste further contributes to the degradation of nature and destruction of the climate.

In Kenya, electronic waste is the fastest growing waste component, with an estimated 51,300 tons of electronic waste being generated annually. Owing to e-waste management challenges, e-waste is often mixed with other municipal waste and disposed of at open dumpsites where it is treated through open burning. Such open burning is a significant source of toxins such as furans, cadmium, beryllium and lead release to the environment. It can lead to severe human health and environmental hazards.

International agreements 

The Basel Convention controls the transboundary movement of hazardous waste and its disposal. It is a comprehensive environmental agreement that aims to tackle issues surrounding hazardous wastes, including e-waste and its management. In 2019, the Ban Amendment to the Basel Convention entered into force. It prohibits the movement of hazardous wastes, including e-waste, from countries of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), the European Union countries and Liechtenstein to other states that are party to the Convention. The Basel Convention runs programmes and workshops to develop and deliver guidance on environmentally sound e-waste management. It also provides states with guidelines to distinguish between waste and non-waste and the transboundary movement of e-waste. Regional conventions also exist to address waste management. For instance, the Bamako Convention and the Waigani Convention arose in response to the Basel Convention and aimed to further restrict the movement of hazardous waste in African and South Pacific countries, respectively.

Scope of work 

The study will assess the reality of e-waste dumping in selected study sites in Ghana and Kenya, the contamination from hazardous chemicals in this waste stream and its impacts, contrasting this with the creative solutions of ordinary people. The study will generate specific recommendations that will be used to inform Greenpeace Africa campaigning strategies against e-waste dumping. It will also provide governments and local municipalities in the focal countries with potential solutions for addressing and ultimately stopping e-waste dumping in the Global South.

Goal of the study 

The goal of the study is to find solutions for preventing or minimising e-waste dumping in African countries as well as mitigating current impacts.

Specific objectives 

(i) To assess and document the reality of e-waste dumping in Ghana and Kenya, including contamination from hazardous chemicals in the waste stream and the impacts on people and communities interacting with the e-waste.

(ii) To document and promote creative solutions of ordinary people that address e-waste management, including major challenges in this landscape.

(iii) To generate and disseminate evidence and knowledge that aids in raising awareness about the health impacts of e-waste.

(iv) To come up with recommendations for challenging the current developmental model that is based on a colonial mindset which continues to disadvantage Africa by destroying the environment and worsening inequalities through dumping of e- waste in African countries.

Preliminary research questions 

Among others, the researchers are advised to consider the following research questions when designing and implementing the study. However, the key questions are not necessarily limited to this list. (i) How much e-waste is being dumped in Ghana and Kenya and who is responsible for the dumping? (ii) What is the comparison between imported versus locally generated e-waste and who are the biggest producers of locally generated e-waste?

(iii) What are the different policies and institutions that regulate e-waste dumping in these countries and protect communities? What regulations exist to manage e-waste and limit exposure to harmful substances?

(iv) What are the strengths and weaknesses of current policies and institutions for regulating e-waste dumping and protecting people and the environment?

(v) What is the role of the private sector (manufacturers) and policymakers in creating a sustainable e-waste disposal system?

(vi) What are the impacts of e-waste dumping in the focal countries? For example, how does e-waste dumping impact the environment and economies of these countries?

(vii)Which are the different approaches communities have embraced in the management of the e-waste problem? What are some of the creative solutions by ordinary people that address e-waste management?

(viii) How does improper disposal of e-waste affect the health of communities near e-waste dumping sites and recycling facilities? What are the long-term health effects for workers in e-waste recycling and dismantling industries?

(ix) What specific health concerns arise for low-income populations living near e-waste processing sites?

(x) What are the actions governments and local municipalities in the focal countries could take to address and ultimately stop e-waste dumping in the Global South?

(xi) Who are local partners that Greenpeace can work with to tackle e-waste dumping, e.g., NGOs, activists, etc?

(xii) Which are the top electronic brands appearing at the dump sites and what is the nature of their sustainability policies?

Methodology 

This study will be implemented using participatory research methods. Consultations will be held with the Greenpeace project team and other key stakeholders such as affected communities and municipalities in the focal countries. The research team will identify and document the impacts of e-waste on specific communities and stakeholders. The process to be followed by the researcher(s) is summarised below:

(a) A desktop review that culminates in the submission of a comprehensive research report to GPAF. This exercise shall primarily focus on data from 2019 to the present, focusing on Kenya and Ghana (research data should not be older than 7 years old).

(b) Primary data collection: While the bulk of the secondary data collection shall rely on desk research, there will also be a need for the consultant to engage different players in the e-waste value chain through key informant interviews to obtain their insights. The sample size for the key informant interviews will be determined in collaboration with the Greenpeace project management team.

(c) Data analysis and reporting writing: The Researcher(s) will analyse the data gathered using appropriate data analysis techniques, and come up with a draft report that will be presented to the Greenpeace team. After presentation of the draft report, comments will be consolidated in order to come up with a final draft that can be disseminated to other stakeholders.

(d) Presentation of study findings and recommendations: Presentation of the study key findings and recommendations to Greenpeace in terms of project implementation processes and campaigning against e-waste dumping in Africa.

Timelines: March – May 2025

Deliverables 

(i) A project Inception Report that clearly outlines the study methodology to be deployed, sample size, and proposed work-plan, among other things.

(ii) A detailed Draft Report of the findings with recommendations for GPAF to take the work on e-waste dumping forward. We envisage a report of approximately 20-25 pages, on the basis of which Greenpeace Africa intends to influence policy makers, drive conversations with local partners and influence media discourse.

(iii) Final Report that consolidates comments made on the Draft Report.

(iv) Power-Point presentation to Greenpeace Africa on an agreed date.

Applications 

Interested researchers should send to us their Cover Letter, detailed CV, and a brief technical and financial proposal (maximum 5 pages) that outlines the proposed methodology, workplan, and budget. Proposals should be submitted by email to: cchikhoz@greenpeace.org and dlugada@greenpeace.org Deadline for applications: 7 March 2025.

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