Abstract:
The electrical/electronic industry is one of the fastest growing sectors in the world today. The increasing
demand for newer electrical/electronic equipment and the shorter lifespan of these products leads to
the generation of large volumes of e-wastes (electrical and electronic wastes) in the environment. Unlike
the developed nations, there is lack of public awareness and proper legislation to effectively manage
these wastes in most developing nations, including Ghana. In this study, a survey was carried out on 800
respondents to determine their knowledge of e-waste management practices and the effects on humans and
the environment. The results generally revealed a low level of awareness, with most participants showing
little or no interest in their environment. The majority of respondents identified reselling and recycling of
used electrical and electronic equipment (UEEE) as the most appropriate and safe disposal methods. There
was a correlation between level of education and knowledge of: (i) toxic chemicals in e-waste, (ii) human
health and environmental impact and (iii) disposal methods for e-waste using a Chi-square test, a fact
emphasized by Principal Component Analysis (PCA). Thus, there is the need for programmes to educate
and create general awareness for this class of wastes as a potential source of pollutants.
