E WASTE IN PAKISTAN

The challenges linked to e-waste in Pakistan began to emerge after the initial phase of economic
liberalization, characterized by an average GDP growth rate of 6.8% during the 1960s (Hussain,
2012, 2004). At that time, Pakistan was regarded globally as a model of economic development
(Husain, 2005). The current surge in demand for electronic goods in Pakistan, particularly home
appliances (TVs, refrigerators, washing machines, ACs, ovens, etc.), telecommunication, IT, and
computers, is a consequence of the growing population and purchasing power. The entire
electronics and electrical appliances industry in Pakistan relies on imported or smuggled
components, with assembly taking place within the country (Bashar, 2000). This scenario
implies that the escalating sales and importation of electronics will inevitably lead to a rise in
future e-waste generation in Pakistan. The rapid increase in sales, coupled with domestic
technological advancements, has resulted in significant
e-waste generation from households, organizations,
industries, and public sectors. Managing solid waste,
already a colossal task in Pakistan (Altaf and Deshazo,
1996; Khan et al., 2012), has become even more
challenging due to the influx of domestically generated
and imported e-waste from developed countries.

Informal Recycling:

Most of the recycling process which is used in Pakistan

is informal recycling. It includes techniques such as
physical dismantling, open burning, acid baths, and the
use of blow torches. These practices are performed in open air and small workshops in recycling
areas. Workers, lacking personal protective equipment or specialized clothing, dismantle various
types of equipment. Computer components are separated and treated according to the scraper's
demand. Valuable metal recovery, such as copper, is a primary focus, while other parts of
monitors are openly burned or sold at a low price. Circuit board recycling is conducted in a
primitive and hazardous manner, involving heating with a blow torch to recover metal and melt
plastic. The metal part is then subjected to acid, separating different metals, with copper and gold
being of utmost importance. The burning and melting of e-waste pose risks to laborers exposed
to toxic emissions. Workers and residents near e-waste recycling areas are often unaware of the
hazards associated with informal recycling practices.

Despite being a signatory to the Basel Convention, Pakistan finds itself among the largest
recipients of electronic waste (E-waste). The country has become a major dumping ground for
substantial volumes of E-waste arriving from the United States, the European Union, Japan, the
United Kingdom, Australia, and Gulf countries. E-waste enters the country through charitable
donations or as second-hand items intended for resale and reuse. However, only 2% of the e-
waste is handled via formal recycling, while the remaining sent directly for dismantling and
informal recycling processes (BAN, 2002; Sthiannopkao and Wong, 2013).

 According to a UN report (Forti et al. 2020), Pakistan generated about 433 kilo-tons (kt)
of e-waste in 2019, up from 301 kilo-tons (kt) in 2016 and 266 kilo-tons in 2014.

 Pakistan is the 26th largest producer of e-waste in terms of quantity (Baldé et al. 2017

The rapid urbanization and population growth in the country are significant factors driving the
consumption of Electrical and Electronic Equipment (EEE), as people are attracted to newer
technologies. The local gray market for second-hand items also contributes, making it
challenging to quantify E-waste generation in the country. The large lower-middle-income
population is a significant consumer of this gray market, leading to higher volumes of domestic
E-waste.

Considering GDP as a standard parameter for a country's economic development, Pakistan's

economic growth is closely tied to the standard of living of its population. As individuals
experience economic growth, their lifestyles change, and their inclination towards spending on
advanced electrical and electronic equipment (EEE) increases. Consequently, economic
development leads to a surge in demand for EEE, resulting in increased E-waste generation. In
the era of globalization, rising purchasing power parity prompts individuals to invest more in
electronic items, driven by the desire to become well informed by the use of modern technology.
Therefore, there is a strong correlation between E-waste generation per capita and GDP per
capita. While GDP serves as a useful parameter for economic analysis and material flow of E-
waste, the cost of managing E-waste within a country poses significant risks
E WASTE AREAS

Lahore and Karachi serve as the primary hubs for E-waste dumping in Pakistan. The quantities
of E-waste directed to major cities, referred to as UEEE, are detailed in Table 1 (Imran et al.,
2017). Karachi, being the largest economic center and situated on the Arabian Sea coast, is a
focal point for E-waste, arriving from developed and OECD
countries under the guise of UEEE. Lyari, along with Sher Shah,
stands as the primary recycling site in Karachi, where informal
practices pose severe risks to human and environmental health.
While neighboring countries are also significant destinations for
such E-waste, legislative developments there have redirected the
more hazardous materials to the Karachi port.

Typically, the older the E-waste, the higher the concentration of

hazardous elements. Informal recycling practices, particularly in
Lyari and other areas, result in pollutants in solid, liquid, and
gaseous forms. Much of this waste ends up in landfills or is
discarded into the Lyari River, adversely affecting the marine
ecosystem in the Arabian Sea. Lahore, the second-largest city,
faces similar challenges with E-waste trading in areas such as
Beadon Road, Hall Road, Hafeez Center, Misri Shah, and the GT
Road area near Mayo Hospital and Pakistan Mint. Workers in these areas operate in confined
spaces without proper ventilation, posing potential health risks.

Although smaller in size, Rawalpindi and Faisalabad also serve as hubs for E-waste recycling.
Rawalpindi's E-waste recycling and dismantling, though smaller than Lahore and Karachi, occur
in areas like College Road near Raja Bazaar. Reports indicate health issues among workers,
including asthma and the employment of small children in hazardous tasks such as cleaning,
dismantling, and burning of circuit boards and other items.

City Name Imported quantity (tons) Imported Quantity (%)

Karachi 85291 89.4

Lahore 5807 6.1

Rawalpindi 1403 1.5

Peshawar 1090 1.3

Faisalabad 985 1.0

Table: 1 E waste import in major cities (Imran et al., 2017).

Global Initiatives of e-waste management

International regulations on electronic waste (e-waste) are primarily governed by the Basel
Convention on the Control of Trans boundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their
Disposal, along with regional directives and agreements. Here is a more detailed look at
international e-waste regulations:

Basel Convention:
Objective: The Basel Convention, adopted in 1989 and entering into force in 1992, aims to
control the transboundary movements of hazardous waste and prevent the transfer of such waste
from developed to developing countries.

Provisions Relevant to E-Waste:

Parties to the convention are required to manage hazardous waste, including e-waste, in an
environmentally sound manner.

The Ban Amendment prohibits the export of hazardous waste, including e-waste, for final
disposal or recycling from developed to developing countries.

Implementation Challenges: Despite the convention, illegal trade in e-waste persists, and the
Ban Amendment has not been universally ratified, leading to challenges in its enforcement.

Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Directive (European Union):

Objective: The WEEE Directive was introduced by the European Union to establish guidelines
for the management of e-waste within EU member states.

Key Provisions:

Producer responsibility: Manufacturers are responsible for the collection, recycling, and proper
disposal of their products at the end of their life.

Collection targets: EU member states are required to meet specific collection targets for e-
waste.

Challenges: Implementation varies among member states, and there are concerns about illegal e-
waste shipments to non-EU countries for disposal.

OECD Guidelines on Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for E-Waste:

Objective: The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) provides
guidelines for the implementation of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for e-waste.

Key Components:
  EPR places the responsibility on producers for the entire lifecycle of their products,
including their end-of-life management.
 Encourages the design of products with recycling and environmental impact in mind.

Challenges: Implementation may vary across countries, and some regions lack comprehensive
EPR frameworks.

International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Initiatives:

Objective: The ITU engages in various initiatives related to e-waste, including capacity-
building, awareness-raising, and policy development.

Key Components:

 Assisting countries in establishing effective e-waste management systems.

 Promoting sustainable practices in the ICT sector.

Challenges: Implementation relies on the commitment of member countries, and resource

constraints may hinder comprehensive adoption.

E-Waste Regulations in Pakistan:

The Pakistan Environmental Protection Act (PEPA)

Pakistan environmental protection act (PEPA) came into force in December, 1997. Section 11 of
this act prohibits discharge or emission of any hazardous chemical in the environment. Section
13 strictly prohibits the importation of any hazardous substance in the territory of Pakistan
(PEPA, 1997).

Import Policy Order 2020 restricts the import of materials listed in the Basel Convention,
explicitly prohibiting the import of used or second-hand air conditioners, refrigerators, and other
home appliances (IPO, 2020).

Trade Policy 2016 Trade policy 2016 addresses the same as import policy emphasizing on
restriction of import of hazardous waste as described in the Basel Convention
The National Hazardous Waste Management Policy 2022 to control the transboundary
movements of hazardous waste

References

Basel Action Network (BAN), 2002. Exporting harm the high tech trashing of Asia. ,http://
www.ban.org/E-waste/technotrashfinalcomp.pdf.. Retrieved on August 31, 2018
Sthiannopkao, S., & Wong, M. H. (2013). Handling e-waste in developed and developing countries:
Initiatives, practices, and consequences. Science of the Total Environment, 463, 1147-1153.

Ahmed, I., Usman, A., Nazir, M. S., & Shaukat, M. Z. (2018). Safety practices in informal industrial
segment of Pakistan. Safety Science, 110, 83-91.

International, B. M, 2015. Pakistan Consumer Electronics Report, February 26, 2015, p. 64. IPO, 2007. In:
Import Policy Order, Ministry of Commerce, Government of Pakistan (Ed.), Islamabad, Pakistan

IPO, 2016. In: Import Policy Order, Ministry of Commerce, Government of Pakistan (Ed.), Islamabad,
Pakistan.

PEPA, 1997. In: Pakistan Environmental Protection Act, Government of Pakistan (Ed.), p. 29. Pakistan.

Saeed, A., JUL 30, 2013a. Dangerous labour: the little known e-waste phenomenon. Dawn
2013. http://www.dawn.com/news/1032967.

Saeed, A., OCT 06, 2013b. Garbage into gold. Dawn 2013. http://www.dawn.com/
news/1047744.

Forti, V., Baldé, C.P., Kuehr, R., Bel, G., 2020. The Global E-waste Monitor 2020 120.

Altaf, M.A., Deshazo, J., 1996. Household demand for improved solid waste man- agement: a
case study of Gujranwala, Pakistan. World Dev. 24 (5), 857e868

Husain, I. In Economy of Pakistan: An overview, Key Note Address at the Expo 2005
Conference held at Karachi on February, 2005; p 2005

Hussain, A., 2012. A Perspective on Pakistan's Economic History: Growth, Economic Structure
and Governance.