Technical Research Paper | E-Waste Management in Aleppo

Electronic waste (e-waste), such as mobile phones, computers, televisions, batteries, and household electrical appliances that have reached the end of their useful life or are no longer in use, represents a growing environmental and public health threat worldwide. This risk stems from the presence of toxic heavy metals—such as lead, mercury, and cadmium—and harmful chemical compounds, which require special management to prevent negative impacts on human health and the environment.

Syria is among the countries increasingly affected by this challenge. Population growth, rapid technological change, the widespread availability of low-cost electronic devices, low levels of environmental awareness, and the absence of binding legislation and institutional frameworks have all contributed to the escalation of the problem. At the national level, Syria lacks specific laws or enforceable regulations governing e-waste management. Instead, the country is party to several international agreements addressing hazardous waste in general, including the Basel Convention, the Rotterdam Convention, the Stockholm Convention, and the Minamata Convention. In parallel, there is no organized infrastructure for the collection or treatment of electronic waste. The impacts of prolonged conflict and economic hardship have further compounded the issue, making safe and systematic management increasingly difficult.

This report sheds light on the issue of electronic waste in the city of Aleppo, Syria, with a focus on the current situation and its environmental and social impacts. It attempts to estimate e-waste quantities and examine existing collection and treatment practices. It should be noted that detailed, city-level data—particularly for Aleppo—are scarce or unavailable, although indicative estimates exist, such as an average of approximately 4.6 kg of electronic devices available per capita in the market.

The objective of this paper is to provide a technical and research-based analysis of the e-waste situation in Aleppo, identify practical intervention points, and develop implementable recommendations for collection, reuse, and recycling mechanisms suitable for a resource-constrained environment.

Read the English version here and Arabic version here.

This guidance paper is part of the project implemented by Field Ready in partnership with Response Innovation lab and supported by World Vision Syria Response.