Prediction of e-waste generation based on grey model (1,1) and management in Botswana

Abstract

© 2018, Gheorghe Asachi Technical University of Iasi, Romania. All rights reserved. This paper seeks to evaluate the quantities of e-waste in Botswana from 2000-2019, with a view towards formulating an effective and sound e-waste management system. Due to a lack of complete historical records on e-waste quantity and quality, this was achieved by the Grey Model GM(1,1) forecasting method. Our estimations indicate that an average weight of about 293.18 tons of e-waste will be generated in 2019 in the country. Considering an economic lifespan of between 3 and 10 years, more e-waste is expected to be produced annually in the country. This paper also highlights key societal factors influencing successful implementation of a sound e-waste management system. These include the introduction of legislation dealing specifically with e-waste, establishment of formal take-back systems, integration of the informal recycling sector into the formal recycling sector, innovative technologies and investment on e-waste management activities. An effective management system of waste from this sector should involve consideration of the toxicity and value of some of the components and materials of electrical and electronic equipment (EEE) and the prevailing inappropriate disposal practices for such potentially “toxic” materials.