Management of e-waste in the South African construction industry : a literature review

Abstract

In complacence with the ever-growing industrialization of different sectors, more specifically the construction sector, electrical and electronic waste management is becoming a global challenge in the construction industry posing significant environmental and health challenges. E-waste, if managed effectively, will release significant economic, resource and ecological benefits. Most of the construction companies have no information about electronic waste management, electronic devices that come from the seller while damaged are sent back to the supplier for exchange. Electronics that could not be repaired are sold to scrap yards and some are sent directly into the dumpsite, however, there were some electronic wastes stored inside the premises and others stored at the back of the premises directly into the ground, which decomposes and possibly affect the environment. The construction companies feel that it is the government's responsibility to provide money for electronic waste management otherwise there is no way they could manage e-waste in their business because it will not be profitable or else the users must take care of their electronic waste. The secondary data was collected through a detailed review of extant literature. In contrast, the primary data was collected using a qualitative method through interviewing the construction professionals. Twelve industry professionals were invited to participate in an interview but ten were present and able to participate, representing an 83% response rate. This paper seeks to assess how electrical and electronic waste are managed in the South African construction industry.