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Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa (BRICS) nations account for one-quarter of the world's land area, having more than 40% of the world's population, and only one-quarter of the world gross national income. Hence the study and review of waste electrical and electronic equipment management systems in BRICS nations is of relevance. It has been observed from the literature that there are studies available comparing two or three country's waste electrical and electronic equipment status, while the study encompassing the BRICS nations considering in a single framework is scant. The purpose of this study is to analyse the existing waste electrical and electronic equipment management systems and status of compliance to Basel convention in the BRICS nations, noting possible lessons from matured systems, such as those in the European Union EU) and USA. The study introduced a novel framework for a waste electrical and electronic equipment management system that may be adopted in BRICS nations and revealed that BRICS countries have many similar types of challenges. The study also identified some significant gaps with respect to the management systems and trans-boundary movement of waste electrical and electronic equipment, which may attract researchers for further research.

Abstract:The structural order of Cretaceous-Tertiary kaolins of the Douala Sub-Basin in Cameroon was determined in this study. This was achieved using Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) with attenuated total reflectance (ATR) on the Bomkoul, Dibamba, Ediki, Logbaba, Missole and Yatchika kaolins. Transmittance spectra of 20 samples were recorded in the mid-infrared regions (MIR). Results show that most of the kaolins had the four distinguishable bands in the hydroxyl (OH) stretching region, though the second transmittance band (3670 cm −1 ) had low intensities. The hydroxyl stretching of water bands (3457 and 3442 cm −1 for KGa-1b and KGa-2, respectively) were mainly observed in all Logbaba samples at 3443 cm −1 and 3445 cm −1 . The two bands reflecting OH deformation of inner-surface hydroxyl and inner hydroxyl groups (937 and 915 cm −1 ) were quite visible in the Bomkoul, Dibamba, Logbaba and Missole II samples; slightly visible in all Yatchika and two of the Ediki; and not visible in Missole I and one of the Ediki samples. Therefore, based on the empirical classification of the degree of order of kaolinite, 10 of the studied samples had ordered structures. Three displayed partially ordered structures; four had poorly ordered structures, and three exhibited disordered structures. This study revealed that kaolins from Dibamba, Logbaba and Missole II in the Douala SubBasin had the best crystallinity, which is one of the important characteristics needed for industrial applications.

Waste generated form healthcare facilities is a potential source of health risks to the public, if it is not properly handled from the point of generation to disposal. This study was conducted to assess the efficiency of healthcare risk waste (HCRW) management in Vhembe District of Limpopo Province, South Africa. Fifteen healthcare facilities were selected in Vhembe District for this study. Data were obtained through in-depth interviews, semi-structured questionnaires, observation and pictures. Qualitative data were thematically analyzed, while the quantitative data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences, version 25. In all the healthcare facilities; mismanagement of HCRW was noted at different points along the management chain. Poor segregation, overfilling of waste bins, inappropriate transportation and storage of waste in substandard storage rooms were observed in the facilities. All the waste from the district are transported to a private-owned treatment facility outside the district, where they are mainly incinerated. Enforcement of healthcare risk waste guidelines, provision of standardized equipment for temporary storage, empowerment of each healthcare facility to treat at least some of the waste, and employment of non-burn techniques for treatment of waste are recommended for more efficient management of healthcare risk waste in Vhembe District.

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