A nationwide e-waste recycling initiative has been launched in Rwanda.

The government campaign aims to educate citizens about how and where to recycle used electrical and electronic equipment, as well as to keep them informed about the status of e-waste collection and management in the country. According to the Rwandan Information Society Authority, the overall goal is to increase the collection rate of e-waste, which will be managed at dedicated collection points operated by local e-waste processing company Enviroserve Rwanda.

The campaign will launch in the capital, Kigali, and Musanze District, the location of the country’s first-ever e-waste collection point. It will run until the end of June this year.

Paula Ingabire, Minister of ICT and Innovation, says the increasing use of electronic devices poses both a challenge and opportunity to reduce carbon emissions. ‘This campaign seeks to sensitise citizens about the various e-waste management strategies that can be deployed to minimise negative impact on the environment while creating economic opportunities. Rwanda seeks to create a sustainable industry that generates less waste and creates new, decent jobs.’

The programme is being run by the Ministry of ICT and Innovation, the Ministry of Environment, and the Rwanda Utilities Regulatory Authority, and is backed by the UN Environment Programme and the International Telecommunication Union.

31 May 2022
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