The Dandora landfill receives most of the waste from the Kenyan capital Nairobi. But what is garbage for one is a godsend for the other. Recyclables collectors work here every day. Many people collect plastic, and Steve Okot collects discarded electronic devices and their parts.
The work is not without risk – the landfill is toxic. It is especially difficult if something is on fire.
Steve rents recyclables to a local e-waste recycling company. The company is trying to rid nature of harmful effects and at the same time give a second life to discarded products.
According to a new UN report, 62 million tons of electronic waste were generated in the world in 2022. They can fill one and a half million trucks. If they are placed one after the other, they will be able to encircle the entire planet along the equator. According to UN estimates, in six years the annual volume of electronic waste will increase to 82 million tons.
By the way, only 1% of discarded electronics are recycled in Africa. The Kenyan company intends to change this. She has opened businesses all over the country. Old and broken products can be delivered to the factory. What is possible is to repair, or use spare parts to repair other devices.
There are rare earth metals in electronic waste that are needed by technology companies. So billions of US dollars are literally buried in garbage in landfills around the world.
