Abstract:
The post-conflict development state of Jaffna District has resulted
in increased e-waste generation and the problems associated with it. In
this phase of development, Jaffna peninsula faces several environmental
problems which need an urgent attention.
This baseline study was conducted to estimate the magnitude and
flow of e-waste generation and to understand the e-waste management
practices in Jaffna district. It was conducted in the Jaffna and Nallur
Divisional Secretariat Divisions in Jaffna District from February to
August 2013 targeting households and corporate as key consumers. Using
skip sampling method, random samples of two hundred households in
each GN divisions were selected and interviewed. Six offices were
selected to represent government, banks and telecom companies.
Results of the household survey were compared with the usage of
items reported in the 2004 – Consumer Finance and Socio-Economic
Survey conducted by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka. The survey revealed
that the usage of refrigerators has increased to 58% from 12.8% while the
usage of washing machines has increased to 34% from 0.8%. The usage
of televisions has increased to 98% from 43.9%.
The survey at the corporate reveled that out of their total electrical
and electronic equipments desktop computer shows high percentage
(28%) of usage. Significantly greater percentage (22%) of LED/LCD
screen monitors are used while the usage of CRT monitors is
comparatively less (6%). A large number of (9%) air conditioners are in
use.
80% of the households are keeping their e-waste at home and are
reluctant to throw them as waste. Similarly all public offices keep e-waste
until they are auctioned. Large enterprises send their e-waste to the head
offices which are located in Colombo. There are no e-waste collection centers in Jaffna. Even though a large number of people can distinguish
(70%) e-waste, 100% of households are not aware of what happens to the
equipment they have discarded as general waste. Similarly the corporates
are also unaware of it.
The study also tried to estimate the increase of equipment usage
through the electricity consumption. There is a high increase in electrical
and electronic equipment usage in Jaffna district which will increase the
e-waste dramatically. Also there is a severe lack of knowledge regarding
e-waste. Establishing an e-waste collection centre in Jaffna district is an
essential need. General public should be made aware of the negative
impacts of uncontrolled disposal of e-waste.
