Background and objective
The diffusion of small-scale, off-grid solar devices, such as solar lanterns and solar home systems, has increased rapidly and significantly across countries in Sub-Saharan Africa. The solar electronic waste being generated and disposed of is increasing at a similar pace, which has raised concerns about the overall sustainability of the off-grid solar sector. The solar devices contain various hazardous materials, such as lead and cadmium, the disposal of which may cause serious adverse effects to human health and the environment. At the same time, the collection and processing of solar e-waste in local recycling economies may involve substantial opportunities for generating employment and income.
This project will conduct research in Kenya as a regional ’hot spot’ for solar e-waste with the aim to identify appropriate private and public schemes for the collection and recycling of electronic waste from small-scale, off-grid solar devices in a manner that create economic value for local communities. The project comprises of three interlinked work packages focusing on analyzing: (1) the role of leading solar system suppliers in governing and managing e-waste from their devices; (2) the disposal practices of end-users and the processing of solar e-waste in local recycling economies; and (3) scenarios for future regulation and planning of solar e-waste in Kenya.
Outputs and achievements of the project
The project managed to produce six peer-reviewed journal papers and two policy briefs (see below). Project researchers have given presentation at several academic conferences during the project. The findings from the project has been integrated into the political process in Kenya through close engagement with key government agencies and stakeholders in a number of dissemination workshops and stakeholder advisory committee meetings held in Kenya throughout the project. The project has furthermore contributed to advance the literature on global value chains specifically on waste and post-consumption processes, which allow for analyses of end-user product disposal practices, processing of waste in local recycling economies, and waste planning and regulation. Finally, the project has contributed to advance the capacity of younger-level research involved in the project.
Budget and time plan
The project was funded by the Ministry of Foreign of Affairs of Denmark and was administered by the Danish Fellowship Centre (DFC). The overall budget was around 5 mio. DKK. The project starting date was 1st of April 2021 and the project terminated on 1st of October 2023.
Project partners
In the project, the following project partners are involved: DTU Environment (Dept. of Environmental Engineering), University of Nairobi (Institute for Development Studies), Keynatta University (Dept. of Environmental Planning and Management), Stena Recycling, Recykla International, Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA), KOBRA Advice, and H-D Global Development Advisors.
Project publications
Policy brief WP3 Scenarios for circular solar e-waste mngt EPR regulation and beyond
Towards a repair research agenda for off-grid solar e-waste in the Global South
The dark side of the sun: solar e-waste and environmental upgrading in the off-grid solar PV value chain
Managing e-waste from off-grid solar systems in Kenya: Do investors have a role to play?
E-waste policy brief
Towards development of effective policies and regulations for sustainable off-grid solar electronic waste management systems in Kenya