Sustainable Solar E-Waste and Battery Technology Management: A Qualitative Study of Off-Grid Solar Markets Across Uganda and Senegal

The research sought to inform companies, donors, investors, and governments in developing efficient, effective corporate policies for sustainable solar e-waste and battery collection, recycling, and repair. Sub-Saharan Africa has an abundance of untapped renewable energy resources that could address the limited supply of modern, safe, and affordable energy sources available to rural communities in the region. The off-grid solar sector has expanded operations across SSA, with support from international donors and development financial institutions. However, the collection, repair, and recycling of products presents a significant logistical challenge due to the remote and hard-to-reach customer base. The study presented key insights from local solar companies with operations across Uganda and Senegal, as well as a household survey exploring consumer behavior around solar e-waste collection, recycling, and repair. The findings sought to inform companies, donors, investors, and governments in developing efficient, effective corporate policies for sustainable solar e-waste and battery collection, recycling, and repair. The research objectives included assessing the market potential, best practices, and challenges related to end-of-life management of SHS and battery technologies across SSA. The study explored the local market structure and broader ecosystem for SHS and battery end-of-life management in Uganda and Senegal, two sample economies representing the SSA region. The study identified several key challenges related to solar e-waste management, including the lack of stringent waste management policies at the company, municipal, or national levels. The research also highlighted the need to understand the availability and viability of low-cost, low-toxicity, high-performance battery solutions for home use. The study's methodology included stakeholder interviews with SHS distributors, e-waste recycling companies, and battery technology distributors, as well as a household survey exploring consumer behavior around solar e-waste collection, recycling, and repair. The research findings sought to inform companies, donors, investors, and governments in developing efficient, effective corporate policies for sustainable solar e-waste and battery collection, recycling, and repair. The study's results highlighted the importance of developing efficient, effective corporate policies for sustainable solar e-waste and battery collection, recycling, and repair. The research also emphasized the need to understand the availability and viability of low-cost, low-toxicity, high-performance battery solutions for home use. The study's findings sought to inform companies, donors, investors, and governments in developing strategies to address the challenges related to solar e-waste management and to ensure a positive environmental legacy. The study's recommendations included the development of efficient, effective corporate policies for sustainable solar e-waste and battery collection, recycling, and repair. The research also emphasized the need to establish stringent waste management policies at the company, municipal, or national levels. The study's findings sought to inform companies, donors, investors, and governments in developing strategies to address the challenges related to solar e-waste management and to ensure a positive environmental legacy.