Country Status
In 2022, Botswana generated 23 million kilograms of e-waste, which represents 8,7 kilograms of e-waste generated per capita. The 2024 National E-waste Monitor for Botswana intends to strengthen Botswana's national capacity around e-waste data collection and statistics and documents fast rising trends in the generation of e-waste. Botswana is currently making efforts to improve its regulatory framework regarding e-waste. There is no specific regulatory instrument overseeing e-waste management in the country. However, the Department for Waste Management and Pollution (DWMPC) has developed an Integrated Waste Management Policy (2021). The policy instrument is expected to facilitate the sound management of all types of waste streams in the country, including e-waste and to cover the principle of extended producer responsibility (EPR) to place a legal obligation on retailers and distributers of electrical and electronic equipment (EEE) to introduce take-back schemes for end of use and obsolete equipment. An Integrated Waste Management Bill is currently being drafted, to be presented as a legislative package with the Integrated Waste Management Policy for consideration and approval by the Parliament. The Government of Botswana also finalized the National Strategy on the Management of Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment in Botswana, led by the DWMPC and the Botswana Communication Regulatory Authority (BOCRA). The objectives of the strategy are to strengthen the regulatory framework and maximize the collection efficiency, as well as develop an environmentally sound management infrastructure and network for e-waste. Botswana has some companies actively dealing with e-waste, but the available infrastructure is insufficient to handle e-waste and the licensed companies are not specialized in this sector.
- E-Waste Generated (million kg): 23
- E-Waste Generated (kg per capita): 8,7
- E-Waste Documented as Formally Collected and Recycled: N/A
- E-Waste Policy, Legislation or Regulation: No
- EPR on E-Waste: No
- Collection Target in Place: No
- Recycling Target in Place: No
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ITU and E-waste in Botswana
ITU has been providing assistance to the Botswana Communication Regulatory Authority (BOCRA), the Department of Waste Management and Pollution Control (DWMPC) and to Statistics Botswana on strengthening the national capacity on e-waste data and policy. This resulted in the publication of the National E-waste Monitor for Botswana and the draft National Strategy on the Management of Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment in Botswana.
- ITU – UNITAR-SCYCLE (2021 – 2024)
The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and the United Nations Institute for Training and Research SCYCLE Programme (UNITAR-SCYCLE) worked with BOCRA and Statistics Botswana to build national capacity on e-waste data and statistics in Botswana. The project followed a three-phased approach consisting of data preparation, statistical workshop, and national model assessment. A first phase consisted of gathering data from all relevant sources and stakeholders in Botswana. The second phase consisted in a 3-day workshop from 26 to 28 May 2021, which was attended by stakeholder groups from BOCRA, Statistics Botswana, Botswana Unified Revenue Service, Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources Conservation and Tourism and Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development. The workshop was delivered in cooperation with the Ugandan Statistics Office, allowing for experience-sharing on national e-waste quantitative assessment. Participants were involved in practical activities to test the SCYCLE E-waste Toolkit for e-waste put on the market and e-waste generated, using Botswana's data. During the workshop, participants produced a national roadmap to compile e-waste statistics. With continued support of the GESP following the workshop, Botswana conducted a quantitative national model assessment, the National E-waste Monitor 2024 to provide a basis for Botswana to implement policies, recycling infrastructure, and regulatory instruments more efficiently. In addition, data will help Botswana set its own national targets for e-waste collection and recycling.
- ITU – EU Africa RISE, Switch2Green, SADC Business Council (2023)
Acknowledging the urgent need to address the e-waste issue, ITU co-organized the Transform through the Circular Economy and EPR Platform event, which saw the launch of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Circular Economy and EPR Platform. The initiative, which started in October 2020, is a partnership between SADC Business Council and two EU funded initiatives, EU Africa RISE, and Switch to Green Facility. The platform will become a facilitation mechanism for members of the public and private sector to share best practices, exchange ideas, design, pilot or scale up circularity models, and develop collective approaches to the circular economy and EPR market. The official launch of the Platform took place during a joint event from 12th to 14th July 2023 which also convened partners from Botswana institutions and neighboring countries to exchange information and knowledge about their national approaches to tackling e-waste and used the Botswana national e-waste strategy as a basis to explore the opportunities for regional harmonization of e-waste management.
ITU – UNEP (2021 – 2022)With support from ITU and UNEP, the Government of Botswana has finalized the National Strategy on the Management of Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment in Botswana led by the DWMPC and BOCRA. Following input from several nationwide consultations, a validated version of the strategy was submitted for approval by DWMPC.
