The e-Waste Association of South Africa (eWASA) has been be formally established as a Section 21 company. eWASA will be responsible to set-up an environmentally sound waste management system for all types of e-waste generated in the country. It is an initiative supported by the Information Technology Association (ITA) which has been working closely with the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) and the Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Testing and Research (EMPA) to study the situation of e-waste recycling in developing and transition countries (of which South Africa is one of the partner countries). EMPA’s international “Knowledge Partnership in e-Waste” programme has had successes in many countries towards finding local, economically viable solutions for the responsible management of e-waste.

• Responsibility. Manufacturers/importers need to commit to the recycling of their products and ensure that the recycling solution operates smoothly.
• Simplicity. Consumers, traders, manufacturers and recyclers, must easily understand and implement e-Waste recycling.
• Reliability. Crucial steps in the recycling chain require independent, trustworthy control.
• Liquidity. If the market value of the recycled material can’t pay for the process, additional funds have to be introduced, such as the visible Advanced Recycling Fee (ARF) on new equipment that allows for their return of all goods free of charge.

1. Formal establishment