AN EVALUATION OF THE LEVEL OF AWARENESS AND KNOWLEDGE OF STUDENTS OF UNIVERSITY OF CAPE COAST ON E-WASTE

Abstract

Electronic waste (e-waste) has become the main contributor of toxic chemicals such as lead (Pb) to landfills in the U.S. (EPA 2000). According to UNEP and UNU report in 2008, e-waste is a major problem in countries such as China and India, where there are mountains of e-waste to be dealt with. This important subject is not regularly discussed in both the print and electronic media in Ghana, as it ought to. Therefore this paper seeks to find out the level of e-waste awareness and knowledge of students of the University of Cape Coast, Ghana. The main finding is that majority of the respondents have not heard of e-waste and for that matter they are unaware of its effect on their health and the environment. Annual “e-waste awareness week” and a liberal online course on e-waste were recommended as means to reverse this unfortunately situation, which will go a long way to minimise its impact on the Ghanaian populace