The Basel Convention Coordinating Centre for the African Region organized a one-day workshop on the management of Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) in E-waste Recycling. The event took place on the 5th of February 2025 at De Rembrandt Hotel & Suites, Ikeja, Lagos, bringing together key stakeholders in the e-waste management sector.

This workshop was organized as part of a pilot initiative, which was executed as a follow-up to the regional workshop on the Management of POPs in Articles, held in Abuja in October 2023. The regional workshop, which saw participation from about 13 African countries, focused on understanding the presence of POPs in various materials and identifying best practices for their environmentally sound management. Building on the outcomes of that engagement, this pilot study specifically examined the management of e-waste plastics within the recycling processes of two formal e-waste recycling companies in Lagos, Nigeria. It aimed to assess how materials that may contain POPs are identified, handled, and processed, with a particular focus on compliance with the Basel Convention’s guidelines.

The primary objectives of the workshop were to:

1. Present findings from the pilot study on POPs management in e-waste recycling.
2. Foster discussions on the feasibility and appropriateness of Basel Convention-approved technologies for managing POPs in e-waste plastics in Nigeria.
3. Engage key stakeholders—including government agencies, recyclers, academia, and environmental organizations—to assess policy and regulatory frameworks for POPs management.
4. Enhance knowledge sharing on best practices and emerging technologies for the safe disposal and recycling of e-waste materials containing POPs.
5. Identify capacity-building needs and areas for technical assistance to strengthen Nigeria’s ability to manage POPs effectively.

Participants at the workshop included representatives from government agencies, recyclers, NGOs, researchers, and other key stakeholders in e-waste management. The event featured presentations, discussions, and interactive Q&A sessions on ensuring safe and sustainable e-waste recycling.

Breakout group discussions focused on key areas such as policy, technology, capacity building, and public awareness. These sessions allowed participants to share insights and propose practical solutions, with key recommendations presented in a plenary session to support effective POPs management in e-waste.

Click here to see pictures of the Workshop