Agbogbloshie in Accra, Ghana, was once known as the world’s largest electronic waste (e-waste) dump site. The site was officially demolished by the local government in 2021. However, informal e-waste recycling still occurs in scattered pockets near the old commercial district in the Korle Lagoon, close to the centre of Ghana’s capital.
Component Sense CEO and founder, Kenny McGee, was moved by a documentary he viewed a decade ago highlighting how e-waste —discarded electronics from the West— was evading regulation and being dumped in the West African nation. The footage showed confronting scenes of cables and scrapped devices being dangerously sorted by hand and then burnt in large bonfires to recover small amounts of valuable metals.
Burning e-waste releases harmful toxins into the air, including mercury, lead, and polybrominated flame retardants. This unregulated smelting exposes workers to health risks and pollutes the environment. Witnessing the impact of discarded electronics in Accra solidified Component Sense’s original mission to lead electronic manufacturers towards zero waste. It also ultimately inspired a recent visit to the area in September 2024.
Kenny partnered with award-winning photographer Carolina Rapezzi for the journey, who had previously visited and reported on Agbogbloshie in 2018. During her earlier visit, she gathered information and images for her renowned Burning Dreams project. Carolina was eager to return to the region to assess the progress made over six years and collaborate with Kenny.
During their time in Accra, the same dangerous recycling of e-waste from the West was still prevalent. However, it is now carried out away from plain sight and even closer to residential homes.
It also quickly became evident that the local communities rely heavily on e-waste recycling for income. Furthermore, it was clear to Kenny just how coordinated (yet still dangerous) the processing of these discarded electronics is from the time it arrives at port to reaching second-hand shops and burn sites. E-waste recycling has the potential to lift people out of poverty.
A circular supply chain is important for minimising e-waste and preventing unnecessary further resource extraction. Component Sense was founded to promote a common-sense approach to electronic manufacturing and inventory management. It does not make sense to discard untouched and brand-new electronic components just because they are surplus to one company’s requirements.
Redistributing stock helps prevent parts from ending up in places like Accra. However, better inventory management is only one part of the solution. Participants in the electronics industry need to work together and collaborate to make a meaningful difference.
Over 14 days in Accra, Kenny documented his experience for a short documentary, filmed and created by Carolina. Find out other information about e-waste and sustainable practices on the Component Sense website and Youtube channel.