Drivers of and barriers to E-waste management in the Philippines

This study looks into the existing policy gap in the management of E-waste in the Philippines, by identifying the different barriers to – and drivers for – the adoption of E-waste management measures, through the perceptions of the different stakeholders involved in E-waste issues. Existing waste management policies in the country lack a specific framework for dealing with E-waste. This research examines socio-economic, political and cultural dimensions in identifying the drivers and barriers that hinder the adoption of E-waste management measures. Based on the perceptions of the different stakeholders, the following drivers are seen to promote the adoption of E-waste management measures: importing countries’ regulations, internal and external pressures in the electronics industry, local E-waste initiatives and market conditions, geographical conditions, urban mining and prices of metals, abundant cheap labor supply and the demand for the electronics industry to improve competitiveness. On the other hand, the different barriers that hinder the adoption of E-waste management measures are: the absence of E-waste laws, non-adoption of the Basel Ban amendment, existing multilateral and bilateral agreements adopted by key trading countries, low environmental consciousness, perceived lack of enforcement of environmental laws, inadequate supply of domestic E-waste, and the competition between the formal and informal sector in the electronics market. The fundamental characteristic of the Philippine electronics industry, as being dominated by the semiconductor sector, is seen both as a driver and as a barrier to the adoption of E-waste management policies. The suggested policy direction is to develop the policy framework for E-waste management and weaken the different barriers identified. EPR has serious potential to be adopted in the country, especially in the context of a take-back scheme. The study suggests that existing socio-economic conditions – especially the existing structural set-up – be taken into account in designing an EPR scheme.