BURNING DREAMS | GHANA
According to the Global E-waste monitor 2024, Despite the Basel Convention, issued in 1992 to reduce and prevent the trade of hazardous waste from developed to less developed countries, in 2022 the world generated 62 billion kg of e-waste (7.8 kg per person), of which only 22.3% (13.8 billion kg) was formally and properly recycled. The rest is collected and recycled unofficially, with an estimated 18 billion kg managed in low- and middle-income countries without waste management infrastructure.
Cross-border collaboration and stronger enforcement have helped reduce illegal shipments of e-waste from high- and middle-income countries with developed e-waste management systems to low- and middle-income countries without waste management infrastructure. However, controlling and regulating e-waste trade remains a major challenge, especially given the large quantities, rapid pace of consumption and the needs of the countries involved.
Started in 2018, "Burning Dreams" is an ongoing project that focuses on e-waste and its informal disposal in Agbogbloshie, Accra (Ghana), one of the largest unregulated e-waste dumpsites globally.
Over the decades, an intricate system has emerged driven by self-regulation and multilateral interests. This organisation relies on thousands of informal workers who entirely depend on the sector. Many of them migrate from impoverished rural areas in northern Ghana to places like Agbogbloshie and other districts in Accra. They play a critical role in collecting, reselling, dismantling, repairing, and reusing electronic devices to extend their lifespan.
However, a controversial aspect of their work is the final disposal stage: the burning of unusable components. By burning non-repairable parts that would otherwise accumulate in landfills, these workers face huge health risks due to their unprotected exposure to hazardous substances such as lead, mercury, BFRs, PCBs, and cadmium, which are released during the combustion. The impact of these activities on both workers and the environment is immense.
Medical assessments and statistics are inconsistent, as workers typically only seek medical care in emergencies and rarely seek checkups. Common ailments include respiratory problems, headaches, burns, infections, and reproductive issues.
To date, no viable alternatives or opportunities have been developed to help workers transition to safer and more sustainable livelihoods. The flow of electronic devices continues, and finding a balance between environmental protection, worker well-being, and regulation of the e-waste industry still seems a distant goal.
