Ticking time bomb: implications of the COVID-19 lockdown on e-waste management in developing countries

The article describes about inadequacy of existing frameworks to manage e-waste in developing countries. However, no discussion has been included on why these frameworks are inadequate to address the management of e-waste. What are the challenges for the implementation of existing frameworks? This should be discussed in detail using examples for at least some countries. For example, challenges in Nigeria to implement e-waste management by NESREA.

Also, the article do not discuss about what type of other frameworks or different structures of frameworks should be developed for e-waste management in developing countries. Once the authors identify the challenges in the current frameworks (as mentioned in the above point), the authors could discuss about need of other frameworks in detail in a separate section (Research Implications).

I would recommend adding a summary table of the existing frameworks for e-waste management, which countr(ies) they have been implemented, results and/or shortcomings, and challenges, to summarize section 5.

This is an interesting article which raises important points about the environmental impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. I enjoyed reading it, and would like to encourage the authors to consider the comments below.

I have four key comments.

1. The title and introductory framing of the article do not seem to really match what the article offers. The article appears to focus mainly on e-waste management in Nigeria. There is no case made in the article for generalizing the findings from Nigeria to other ‘developing countries’. Perhaps the authors could consider the simple solution of revising the title of the article, the introduction, and the section on legal and institutional framework for addressing the ewaste challenge.
2. The description of the COVID-19 pandemic in Section 1 seems very general. It could either be cut if the authors are so inclined or the analysis could be strenghtened in line with the theme of the paper.
3. The article seems based on the assumption of increased reliance on ICT and in relation to this, the greater risk of an e-waste mamagement problem. Is there any evidence of increased importation and/or use of ICT and generation of more electronic waste during the pandemic, particularly in developing countries? It is important to consider the available evidence (for instance, any reports on the significant widening of the digital divide between and within developing and deloped countries during the COVID-19 pandemic AND loss of livelihoods, etc) and nuance the arguments made in the article accordingly.
4. The authors could consider addressing the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the regulation of e-waste and the enforcement of relevant laws. This could complement the current Section V.

More specific comments:

p.8

Please explain the meaning of “HCW” where it is used for the first time, and clarify the use of “region”.

p.10

“Nigeria’s fast-growing second (hand?) computer”

“Also, burning of waste which has a well-documented association with the incidence of respiratory health symptoms among adults and children alike.” Comment: Incomplete sentence?

“Landfills are a standard method for disposing of wastes in the developed and developing worlds, however, improperly built landfills can cause environmental and human health problems.” Comment: Please check punctuation.

p.13

Please explain the meaning of “LDCs” where it is used for the first time.

p.18

“The desire for technological advancement and alternative ICT based options as a viable The desire for technological advancement and alternative options created to address the effect of the COVID-19 lockdown is changing settings in the developing world.”

Comment:

Please check the structure of the sentence(s).

p.19

“Stronger commitment should be made toward enforcement of existing laws and national regulations… Stricter measures at regulating the movement of e-waste substances from the UK, the USA and the EU member states should be put in place with developing states being able to prohibit or object to shipments of waste in order to implement the principles of proximity and self-sufficiency.”

Comment:

Who should be responsible for establishing the stronger commitment and putting in place the stricter regulations? Also, could the Conclusion of the paper does not seem to directly address some of the challenges identified in Section V, especially the socio-legal dimensions of (poor) e-waste management that were identified by the authors in Section V?