Evaluation of the Current Situation of Cell Phone Waste in Egypt: Review Article
In the last decade, the total number of cellular phone (CP) subscribers in Egypt increased from only 654000 subscribers in October 1999 to 55.352 million in December 2009. Latest available data in February 2012 recorded 112.74 CP subscribers per 100 inhabitants. CPs are composed of a variety of m...
| Main Authors: | , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Alexandria University
2012-12-01
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| Series: | Journal of High Institute of Public Health |
| Subjects: |
| Summary: | In the last decade, the total number of cellular phone (CP) subscribers in Egypt increased from only
654000 subscribers in October 1999 to 55.352 million in December 2009. Latest available data in
February 2012 recorded 112.74 CP subscribers per 100 inhabitants. CPs are composed of a variety
of materials containing toxic substances that have bad impacts on both health and environment
when disposed of an incorrect manner. On the other hand, environmentally friendly cellular phone
waste management system has many benefits. More than 70% of the CP can be recycled, one ton of
this recycled waste can generate up to 230 grams of gold. This paper aims to assess the current
situation of CP waste in Egypt. Published data were collected from concerned institutions of cellular
phones in Egypt as: Ministry of Communication and Information Technology (MCIT), Ministry State of
Environmental Affairs (MSEA), as well as regional and international ones as: Basal convention
Regional office in Cairo (BCRC),The Center of Environment and Development for the Arab Region
and Europe (CEDARE), world Bank (WB) and International Telecommunication Union (ITU).The
study revealed that CP waste in Egypt is not well assessed. Few efforts were done to collect specific
CP batteries, while efforts to manage other CP waste components were not satisfactory due to
absence of facilities and expertise for proper dismantling, recycling and disposal of this precious yet
hazardous waste. To conclude, there is a need for assessment of different types of electronic waste
(e-waste) in general in Egypt. Establishing governmental and private partnership and a legal
framework for e-waste trade in Egypt is recommended. Organizing awareness campaigns about ewaste is also needed. |
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| ISSN: | 2357-0601 2357-061X |