Growing big – making responsible e-waste management the norm in Ghana

This policy brief summarizes a series of key recommendations based on lessons learnt during the implementation of the Sustainable Recycling Industries (SRI) programme in Ghana from 2015 to June 2025.

The first phase of the project focused on building a comprehensive knowledge base of the country’s e-waste landscape. This included tying networks to entrepreneurs, policymakers and informal operators, conducting trainings on recycling methods, policy approaches and financing mechanisms, and conducting applied research on selected waste streams such as e-waste plastics. The second phase, starting in 2019, focused on sound management options for relevant substreams, in particular used tyres, used lead-acid batteries (ULABs) and photovoltaic panels.

Based on the achievements and learnings obtained, these nine recommendations also intend to set direction towards the continuation of the initiated efforts. The main target audience for this brief are policymakers in Ghana and other stakeholders who can influence related decisions and policy directions.