The Zambian Government has called for coordinated action to strengthen electronic waste management systems as the country seeks to protect public health, safeguard the environment and create employment opportunities for young people. The call highlights the growing need for effective collection, recycling and safe disposal of discarded electronic equipment as the use of mobile phones, computers, routers and other electronic devices continues to expand. Electronic waste, commonly known as e-waste, presents environmental and public health challenges when people dispose of old or damaged equipment improperly. However, with the right systems, skills and partnerships, discarded electronics can also become a valuable resource for economic development. The Government believes that sustainable e-waste management can help address environmental concerns while supporting youth empowerment, entrepreneurship and the development of green jobs.
Speaking during the commemoration of World E-Waste Day in Lusaka, Minister of Green Economy and Environment Hon. Gilbert Siame stressed the importance of developing effective systems for managing electronic waste. His speech was delivered on his behalf by Forestry Director Freddie Siangulube, who highlighted the need for practical solutions to the increasing volume of discarded electronic devices. The minister’s message focused on the importance of bringing together Government institutions, private sector companies and cooperating partners to improve the collection, repair, reuse and recycling of electronic equipment. This coordinated approach is intended to ensure that e-waste is handled safely while creating opportunities for young people to participate in the growing green economy. It also reflects the need to treat electronic waste management as both an environmental priority and a potential source of sustainable employment.
Electronic waste includes discarded electrical and electronic equipment such as mobile phones, computers, routers and other electronic devices that people no longer need or use. As technology advances, consumers and businesses regularly replace older equipment with newer models, increasing the need for responsible disposal and recycling systems. When electronic waste is dumped in unsuitable locations, burned in the open or dismantled without proper safety measures, it can expose people and the environment to hazardous substances found in some electronic components. Improper disposal can also contaminate soil and water, particularly where waste is handled without appropriate safeguards. Strengthening e-waste management systems can reduce these risks by encouraging proper collection, safe handling, responsible recycling and the recovery of reusable materials.
Beyond environmental protection, the Government has identified electronic waste management as an opportunity to create green jobs and improve young people’s access to income-generating activities. Young people can earn a living by collecting discarded electronic equipment, repairing devices that can still function, preparing reusable components and recycling materials through appropriate processes. These activities can create opportunities for individuals who want to enter the workforce or establish small businesses. Repair and reuse are particularly important because they can extend the useful life of electronic products and reduce the volume of equipment requiring disposal. With suitable training and access to markets, young people can develop practical businesses that respond to growing demand for affordable electronic devices, repair services and responsible waste management.
The Government is working with the International Labour Organisation under the Sustainable E-Waste Management for Youth Employment Project to equip young people with practical skills for employment and entrepreneurship. The initiative seeks to connect sustainable electronic waste management with opportunities for young people to develop technical abilities and establish livelihoods. Through practical training, participants can learn how to handle discarded equipment, identify devices suitable for repair and understand the processes involved in responsible reuse and recycling. Such skills can help prepare young people for work in existing businesses or support those who want to establish their own enterprises. The project also demonstrates how environmental programmes can contribute to wider economic and social development when they include clear pathways to employment.
However, practical training alone may not be enough to ensure that young people establish successful and sustainable businesses. Hon. Siame emphasised that skills development must be supported by access to employers, work-based learning opportunities, appropriate equipment, financing and markets. These forms of support can help young people move from classroom learning to practical experience and income-generating work. Access to suitable tools and equipment is particularly important in electronic waste management because the safe handling, repair and recycling of electronic products require appropriate methods and working conditions. Financing can help aspiring entrepreneurs acquire essential resources, while connections to customers and markets can enable them to generate revenue from their services. Combining technical training with these forms of support can improve the prospects of long-term employment and sustainable business growth.
Business management and financial literacy also form an important part of the programme’s approach to youth empowerment. Young people who understand how to manage business expenses, calculate costs, set prices and keep financial records are better equipped to make informed decisions about their enterprises. Financial literacy can also help entrepreneurs plan their spending, manage income and assess whether their businesses are operating sustainably. Business management skills are equally valuable for those who want to expand from individual repair services into larger collection, refurbishment or recycling operations. By combining technical knowledge with financial and entrepreneurial skills, the initiative aims to help young people build enterprises that can generate income while contributing to responsible electronic waste management.
The participation of the private sector is another important element of the initiative. Airtel Zambia has contributed to the programme by donating electronic waste to support practical skills development among young people. This contribution provides an opportunity to connect electronic waste generated by businesses with training activities designed to prepare young people for employment and entrepreneurship. Private sector participation can help strengthen the relationship between waste management needs and the practical experience required by future workers. Companies can also contribute to improved e-waste practices by supporting responsible collection, encouraging the reuse of equipment where appropriate and ensuring that discarded electronics reach suitable handling and recycling channels. Cooperation between businesses, Government institutions and training partners can therefore help build a more effective system for managing electronic waste.
A coordinated national approach will be important as Zambia works to improve electronic waste collection and disposal practices. Government institutions can help establish supportive policies, strengthen public awareness and encourage responsible handling of discarded equipment. Businesses can contribute through their own waste management practices and partnerships with organisations that collect, repair or recycle electronics. Training institutions and cooperating partners can help develop the technical and business skills needed to support a capable workforce. Communities and individual consumers also have a role to play by avoiding careless disposal and seeking appropriate ways to hand over unwanted electronic devices. When these groups work together, they can help reduce environmental risks while increasing opportunities to recover useful materials and support economic activity.
Public awareness is essential to making these efforts effective. Many people may keep unused phones, computers and other electronic devices at home or in offices because they do not know where to take them for safe disposal. Others may discard damaged equipment with ordinary household rubbish, even when specialised handling or recycling would be more appropriate. Clear information about collection options, repair services and responsible disposal can help consumers make better decisions. Encouraging people to repair functional devices, reuse suitable equipment and separate electronic waste from general rubbish can also support more responsible consumption. Stronger public awareness, combined with accessible collection systems, can help ensure that e-waste reaches appropriate facilities instead of becoming a source of pollution.
The development of green jobs through electronic waste management also offers an opportunity to connect environmental responsibility with inclusive economic growth. Young people who gain relevant skills may find opportunities in electronics repair, equipment refurbishment, waste collection, recycling and related services. These activities can support self-employment while helping communities manage discarded equipment more responsibly. However, the success of such opportunities will depend on whether businesses can access customers, obtain suitable tools and operate safely within a viable market. Continued cooperation among Government, employers, financial institutions and development partners can help address these challenges. A strong support system can make it easier for young people to turn their training into sustainable livelihoods while contributing to environmental protection.
The Government’s call during the World E-Waste Day commemoration in Lusaka highlights the importance of viewing electronic waste as both a challenge and an opportunity. Growing reliance on digital technology makes effective collection, repair, reuse, recycling and safe disposal increasingly important for protecting public health and the environment. At the same time, initiatives such as the Sustainable E-Waste Management for Youth Employment Project can help young people develop practical skills, build businesses and access opportunities in the green economy. The contribution from Airtel Zambia further illustrates how private sector participation can support practical training and responsible waste management. Sustained collaboration, adequate resources, access to markets and continued skills development will be essential to turning these efforts into lasting results for Zambia’s environment, young people and economy.