E-Waste Management Strategies in Abidjan Metropolitan Area: Comparative Analysis of Recycling Programmes and Waste Disposal Techniques in Morocco 2002

The Abidjan Metropolitan Area (AMA) and Morocco are grappling with significant electronic waste (e-waste) management challenges. Both regions face high e-waste generation, but their approaches to recycling programmes and waste disposal techniques vary. A mixed-methods approach was employed, combining qualitative interviews with quantitative data analysis of government reports from both countries. The comparative framework considered socio-economic factors and legal frameworks governing e-waste management. In AMA, the primary waste disposal technique is open-air burning despite environmental concerns, while in Morocco, a closed-loop recycling system involving public-private partnerships is predominant, with 70% of e-waste being recycled annually. The study reveals that while both regions have made efforts to manage e-waste, AMA lacks comprehensive waste management policies and relies heavily on informal sector practices. In contrast, Morocco’s closed-loop system offers a more sustainable approach. AMA should consider adopting Morocco's model of public-private partnerships for recycling, complemented by stricter enforcement of existing regulations to ensure compliance and reduce e-waste impacts on the environment and human health. Model estimation used $\hat{\theta}=argmin_{\theta}\sum_i\ell(y_i,f_\theta(x_i))+\lambda\lVert\theta\rVert_2^2$, with performance evaluated using out-of-sample error.