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  Senegal Digital and sustainable management of e-waste
Senegal Digital and sustainable management of e-waste
In short: 

The management of electronic and electrical waste (3EW) constitutes a major challenge for the Senegalese government, which is committed to optimizing this issue via Senegal Numerique SA Thanks to relevant and strategic partnerships, Senegal Numerique is moving up a gear in addressing this essential issue with multiple challenges: circular economy, sustainable management, environmental impact, etc. It is with this in mind that several actions have recently been carried out by the company with various partners. The Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) and the Embassy of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg have handed over a large batch of e-waste processing equipment.

 

The management of electronic and electrical waste (3EW) constitutes a major challenge for the Senegalese government, which is committed to optimizing this issue via Senegal Numerique SA Thanks to relevant and strategic partnerships, Senegal Numerique is moving up a gear in addressing this essential issue with multiple challenges: circular economy, sustainable management, environmental impact, etc. It is with this in mind that several actions have recently been carried out by the company with various partners. The Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) and the Embassy of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg have handed over a large batch of e-waste processing equipment.

The rapid development of information and communication technologies has led to a proliferation of electronic and electrical equipment in Senegal. When this equipment reaches the end of its useful life, it becomes environmentally hazardous waste. Computers, televisions, refrigerators, batteries and telephones, to name a few, require proper treatment when they are no longer functional.

A large WEEE processing center in Sandiara

Senegal Numerique plays a key role in the management of e-waste in Senegal. The company's general director, Cheikh Bakhoum, expresses Senegal's desire to optimize the management of this waste. The company recently signed a memorandum of understanding with the municipality of Sandiara in order, among other things, to have a 3-hectare plot of land where the national e-waste processing center will be built. It is therefore this town located in the department of Mbour, 100 km from Dakar, which will house one of the largest centers for the treatment and recovery of waste from electronic and electrical equipment in West Africa. This infrastructure will play an essential role in the sustainable management of e-waste and represents an important step in the fight against environmental pollution.

Sandiara will house the eWaste processing center (Watch the video)

Increase in e-waste processing capacity

A week earlier, Mr. Bakhoum received on behalf of Senegal Numerique SA a large batch of equipment intended for the treatment and recovery of e-waste, a donation from the GGGI, with financial support from Luxembourg. This device, comprising a van, a press for compacting plastics, pallet trucks, power tools and other equipment, will strengthen the company's capabilities in the collection and processing of e-waste throughout the country. The ceremony took place in the premises of the Directorate in charge of the D3E component which was created following the transformation of the State IT Agency into a national company. This entity includes within it the CHAT. 

Receipt ceremony for a batch of e-waste processing equipment (Watch the video)

The Center for Disabled People at Work: the pioneers of recycling

The Center for Disabled People at Work (CHAT) is dedicated to recycling electronic and electrical waste sent to Senegal Numerique SA by various structures. It is a center for reconditioning computers and other equipment, created thanks to the initiative of the President of the Republic. The computers are checked, cleaned and repaired before being reused in media rooms in schools across the country. The dismantling process involves recovery, diagnosis, actual dismantling and sorting of components. 10 tonnes of waste electrical and electronic equipment are processed each year by Senegal Numerique SA.

CHAT mainly employs people with disabilities and thus contributes to combating the social exclusion of this category of the population by offering them employment opportunities and leveraging their skills in the processing of e-waste.   

Certification delivered by Senegal Numerique

To encourage good practices in e-waste management, Senegal Numerique issues a certificate to companies that use its services. This certificate attests to the company's commitment to sustainable e-waste management and its contribution to the circular economy which aims to reduce waste by transforming waste into valuable resources. In the context of e-waste, this means recovering valuable components and materials from used electronic and electrical equipment for reuse or recycling. This allows companies to promote their efforts and strengthen their image of social and environmental responsibility.

The added value of sustainable e-waste management

Sustainable e-waste management has many advantages. In addition to reducing environmental impact, it allows valuable raw materials, such as rare metals, to be recovered for future reuse. In addition, it promotes job creation in the recycling sector and contributes to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. Senegal Numerique plays a key role in facilitating this transition to a circular and sustainable economy.

The management of e-waste constitutes a major challenge for Senegal, but thanks to the efforts of Senegal Numerique and these partners, significant progress is being made. Initiatives aimed at collecting, processing and recycling e-waste contribute to protecting the environment and promoting sustainable development. Collaboration between various partners, national and international, including the ministry in charge of the environment, sustainable development and ecological transition, strengthens Senegal's capacity to meet this growing challenge. Senegal Numerique SA positions itself, in fact, as a key player by working with public and private companies to implement sustainable management and a circular economy around e-waste. 

By contacting the Department of Waste Management of Electronic and Electrical Equipment (DGD3E), everyone can also contribute to this important cause by donating their unused computer or electronic equipment. Together, we can work towards a greener future and sustainable management of e-waste in Senegal.

E-waste management in question (see the video)

AS/PCRSE

12 Jul 2023

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