Baku:Deputy Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Bernice Swarts, has urged households, businesses, and institutions to engage in responsible e-waste management by taking unwanted electronic equipment to recognized collection and recycling facilities.

According to South African Government News Agency, Swarts emphasized the collective impact of small discarded electronic items, which contribute significantly to the growing waste stream. She highlighted the message of this year's International E-Waste Day, "Don’t bin it, bring it," to encourage the return of electronic products to appropriate recycling channels rather than disposing of them with ordinary waste.

Observed annually on October 14, International E-Waste Day aims to raise awareness about the challenges of electrical and electronic waste. This year's theme, "Fast Tech | Don’t bin it, bring it!", focuses on small electronic products like earphones and mini fans, which are often improperly discarded.

In South Africa, the environmental challenge of electronic waste is escalating, with over 360,000 tonnes generated annually, and only about 10% reported as properly recycled. Improper disposal can lead to soil and water contamination from hazardous substances like lead and mercury, posing risks to health and the environment.

The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment has implemented the Extended Producer Responsibility Regulations, working with producers and Producer Responsibility Organisations to develop an e-waste collection and recycling program across all nine provinces, emphasizing rural and peri-urban areas. This initiative includes collaboration with municipalities and waste reclaimers to establish accessible collection points and enhance recycling efforts.

The program also aims to create sustainable economic opportunities, particularly supporting youth, women, and persons with disabilities in the waste economy. Since August 2021, the disposal of e-waste to landfills has been prohibited, promoting recycling and recovery operations.

The Department continues to collaborate with various partners to improve e-waste collection infrastructure, public awareness, and links to licensed recycling facilities, contributing to South Africa's transition towards a circular economy and increased local enterprise participation.