E-waste management in Ecuador, current situation and perspectives

Abstract

E-Waste is a global concern because of its accelerated generation rate and increasing impact on the environment. Latin America generated 4.2 Mt of E-waste in 2016. In Ecuador, the amount of E-waste generated increased from 73 kt in 2014 to 90 kt in 2016. This chapter presents an overview of the current situation of E-waste management in Ecuador. The study starts by exploring common issues in Latin America. Then, the country’s situation is analyzed under the lens of the integrated and sustainable waste management framework. This analysis reveals that although the country faces several challenges, such as inefficient collection, improper disposal, limited financial resources, lack of a legal framework, and insufficient data on generation and composition, there are also opportunities for improvement. The Constitution of Ecuador considers nature as a subject of rights, which supports the development of environmental policies and legislation. This work presents a diagnostic for decision making performed in a National Workshop on E-waste management using the Systemic Design of Solutions, and sets a baseline for further research. © 2020 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.