Sustainable E-waste Management : Using the FSSD in a Case study at NUR

Abstract: This thesis explores how to apply an approach of strategic sustainable development to e-waste management through a case study at the National University of Rwanda (NUR). Interviews and surveys were conducted, and workshops and presentations were hosted during a site visit to NUR. No e-waste management system is in place in Rwanda, while the country is working to increase ICT capacity. At NUR, awareness of e-waste challenges is low, and management currently consists of storage and limited low-tech pre-processing. Suggested actions were prioritized and delivered to NUR in an action plan under three project categories: project core, e-waste management, and e-waste education and research with the aim of establishing a pilot project of e-waste management to make NUR an e-waste leader. A Framework for Strategic Sustainable Development was used to ensure e-waste is managed in a strategic way that leads to an e-waste management approach that could exist in a sustainable society. This research concludes that strategic sustainable e-waste management is possible at NUR and presents six theme areas to guide the development of an e-waste project with a systems perspective.