The National University of Science and Technology (NUST) and the Environmental Management Agency have embarked on an 18–month study to determine the impact of waste generated by internet use and how this could be mitigated for a sustainable future of the country. Principal investigator and NUST senior lecturer, Mr Smart Ncube told The Herald at the launch of the study recently, that there were none or a few high-level studies that had been done on carbon emissions of the Internet as a whole and the toxins and waste generated by Internet use. The joint study titled: “Towards a Green Internet Ecosystems Framework for Zimbabwe,” aims to develop a comprehensive framework for a sustainable internet ecosystem in Zimbabwe. “The major aim of this study is to develop a green internet ecosystems framework for Zimbabwe that mitigates the negative environmental impacts of internet-related activities while promoting sustainability and economic growth,” he said. “This project places Zimbabwe on the global map and helps the country to amplify its voice on the global arena in terms of our presence in solving environmental problems. As a country we have always been on the receiving end in terms of the dumping of e-waste. “This study can inform our policy makers to come up with robust measures to curb e-waste dumping. We can place a limit in terms of the electronic products that can be allowed into the country if they are second hand.
We can also pile pressure on the producers by telling them that we can only buy products that meet the requirements in terms of environmental compliance. “If they don’t meet, then we are not going to accept them. Africa has been the dumping ground and this should not be allowed to continue.” Ncube said the study will also assess existing green-friendly policies, evaluate compliance with green practices and examine green knowledge and attitudes. In addition, researchers will identify challenges and opportunities, develop a comprehensive green internet framework and promote stakeholder engagement and awareness. The research is funded by the Internet Society Foundation. “No one has the facility or infrastructure to recycle e-waste in Zimbabwe,” said NUST director of ICTS, Prof Vusumuzi Maphosa. “Only Econet is shipping e-waste to Dubai, where a Zimbabwean–owned firm is recycling the waste.” He said e-waste had a lot of negative consequences on Africa’s environment and human health. “Africa is only recycling 0,1 percent of e-waste. About 80 percent of global e-waste is shipped to the global south. The north industrialised countries are shifting the burden to the poor countries in the south,” Prof Maphosa said. “The impact can be dire and e-waste has a lot of negative consequences on human health. A cell phone battery can contaminate 600 000 litres of water. We need to enact e-waste policies quickly to protect our environment and human health.” Environmental Management Agency (EMA) official, Mr Maxwell Maturure said: “The research project we are gathered here to discuss on has been necessitated by the need for the country to formulate a sustainable framework that covers all facets of internet ecosystems with a clear guide to strategic decision making.