An Assessment of Flow Process of Second-Hand Desktop Computers from Import to E-Waste in Lahore

Abstract

An assessment of flow process of second-hand desktop computers in Lahore from import to E-waste management is presented. Lahore is a hub of import, reuse, recycling and export of dismantled second-hand desktop computers. There are twenty main importers of second-hand desktop computers in Lahore and three centers of storage, sale of second-hand computers, dismantling and repair namely Walton Road, Hall Road and Hafeez Center. A total of 50,000 second-hand desktop computers are imported in Lahore per month. The second-hand computer systems are sold for Rs. 10,000 each. The average life of a second-hand desktop computer is about six months. Then it may be used after repair for another couple of years. These computers are used by lower middle class individuals, NGOs, lower middle class educational institutions and private offices since they can’t afford to buy new computers. There is informal system of hawkers and junk shops for E-waste from households and institutions. The main business centers namely Hafeez Center and Hall Road generate substantial quantities of E-waste which is sold to recyclers. A large amount of this E-waste is recycled in small units close to Bund Road and Shahdarrah. Steel and plastic is recovered from the body of computers while precious metals i.e. gold and silver and heavy metals like lead (Pb) and copper (Cu) are recovered from the printed circuit boards. The recycling facilities are highly polluted and hazardous. Acid fumes, dioxins, lead and cadmium vapors and other heavy toxic metals like copper are released in effluents. The workers of these recycling units are exposed to dioxins, heavy metals and acid fumes. In addition they are exposed to heat stress and injuries while operating unguarded risky machines. Plastic granules manufactured in recycling units are exported to China. Mother boards, plastic and RAM are also exported to China for recycling. Dubai imports only mother boards for recycling.