Société Générale de Surveillance (SGS SA) was selected by the Ivorian State for the collection and processing of electronic waste in the country. In partnership with the African Recycling Company (SAR), SGS which specializes in the inspection, verification, certification and institutional mentoring has recommended the government a three-module management solution.

The first module concerns the identification and registration of new and used electronic products imported in Côte d’Ivoire. The second module concerns the collection, for the government, of eco-tax on imported new and used products, in line with the Polluter-Pays principle and the principle of extended producer responsibility (ERP). The monies collected with the eco-tax will be used to finance the implementation of the national recovery and recycling programme. The third module focuses on the establishment of an industry of waste collection and recycling.

SGS SA’s contract also includes the management of electric equipment waste and used tires. The Ivorian government estimated the total volume of these waste to 90,000 tons in the country.

With SGS’s waste management solution, named SGS Renovo, the government intends to provide populations with a healthier environment while creating about 5,000 green jobs.