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Solomon Island (SI) and the pacific island countries (PICs) inherit problems with the disposal of e-waste. In the past two decades, the pollution as a result of e-waste aggravated and the prevention of pollution is necessary to preserve the ecological balance of the SI. In the past, the concentration of populations in SI was not high as compared to the current population density which is (people per square kilometer) about 21 during the year 2015. Previously, the waste products in the island were mostly biodegradable goods. According to estimate by Kawai and Tasaki, 2016, the per capita solid waste (Kg/day/person) generated by Solomon Islands is 4.30. The similar estimate for Fiji, Vanuatu, Tonga, Brunei Darussalam and Singapore are 2.10, 3.28, 1.40, and 0.90, respectively.
By definition, in PCs, the e-Waste includes all types of electrical and electronic devices or equipment or product or components that are discarded by the owner or user as a waste product and have no intention to recycle or use it further. The e-waste contains harmful product or material. At the end-of-life of such material, if not treated properly, may cause damage human health and the environment. It also comprises valuable complex materials, which need to be reclaimed with minimal environmental impact. Growing urban populations, increasing imports of non-biodegradable products, chemicals for manufacturing and agricultural activities and western lifestyles brought environmental problems. The country’s dependence on terrestrial and marine resources makes the SI vulnerable to contamination by solid and liquid waste, toxic and hazardous wastes and chemical substances. Solid waste management is a particular concern for SI where the urban centers, particularly the capital; Honiara lacks suitable land for waste disposal. In general, SI has no capacity to monitor the pollution. Recently, the awareness is increasing. There is a need to develop appropriate legislation, guidelines, protocols for the waste management facilities and regulatory framework. The ad hoc waste management practices are ineffective without stricter legislative controls. SI is facing a problem to promote environmental awareness with a coordinated approach between government, NGOs, public and community. It is necessary to inform senior government officials as well as the general public to lay the foundation for implementing appropriate waste management programs.
A growing demand from consumers and mass marketing has led to the increase consumptions of electronic and electrical products in the PICs. It has benefits as well as challenges (Grant, Goldizen, Brune, Neira, Berg, & Norman, 2013; Robinson, 2009; Zoeteman, Krikke, & Venselaar, 2010). The increasing demand for these products in PICs imposes challenges to properly dispose e-waste. In absences of proper management of e-waste, local communities are exposed to the hazardous components of the waste materials (Yang, & Liu, 2015; Omokaro, 2016). The e-waste is part of a larger problem of waste management and is now one of the fastest growing wastes in the islands. The impact of e-waste is worst for small developing Island States. Due to limited land area and water source, these Islands are highly vulnerable from continued pressure of e-waste and pollution. It is evident that e-waste pollution has already found its way into Pacific Island soils, waterways, ocean and air. Local communities face long-term health risk from exposure to e-waste hazardous substances that remain in the environment. For human health these substances can cause cancer, nerve and organ damage, infertility problems and damage to environment. For the environment, e-waste pollution reduces product yield of the soil and is a threat to local biodiversity. It causes unsafe water drinking and allows toxic substances to flow out to the ocean posing a threat to the marine life. PICs thus are vulnerable to challenges pose by e-waste because of limited knowledge and ignorance to the risks once exposed to these material wastes.
The purpose of this paper is to construct a project management framework for e-waste management awareness program in Honiara town to reduce e-waste with following initiatives: