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Paper short abstract:

BRIMs Heritage Resource Centre has turned electronic devices with hazardous material that pose environmental and health risks into a museum display. The outcomes of a mobile museum on Vintage wheels that created community sensitisation of improper disposal of electronic waste materials.

Paper long abstract:

The global challenge of electronic waste (e-waste) is particularly pronounced in developing nations like Uganda, encompassing a diverse array of end-of-life electronic devices with hazardous materials that pose environmental and health risks (Schluep et al., 2007; Sansa-Otim et al., 2013). The urgency to find solutions is underscored by the threats e-waste poses to the respiratory, reproductive, circulatory, and nervous systems (Li et al., 2007; Huang et al., 2014; Chen et al., 2015a; Chen et al., 2015b; Lambert et al., 2015). As technology advances, the disposal of electronic devices has become a global concern, and Uganda, like many developing nations, faces the challenge of managing the escalating tide of e-waste, necessitating sustainable solutions.

Despite these challenges, the Government of Uganda has demonstrated commitment to sustainable e-waste management through legislative provisions and policies.

BRIMS Heritage Resource Centre (BRIMS) has creatively designed interventions to address the e-waste predicament. This paper explores BRIMS Heritage Resource Centre's commendable initiatives, focusing on the collection, conservation, preservation, restoration, and showcasing of vintage e-waste items. Notably, these efforts significantly contribute to sustainable development and play a pivotal role in promoting tourism in the country.

Over the years, BRIMS has innovatively embarked on an e-waste collection program in collaboration with local communities, scrap businesses, and government bodies. The team frequently visits areas to collect or buy from the communities that are selling these unique items for dismantling alongside social media campaigns asking the public to donate or sell the unwanted electronic items. Recent statistics indicate that e-waste in Uganda was estimated at 17,000 tons/year in 2018 and is projected to rise by 4,500 tons per annum.

Recognizing the historical and cultural significance of electronic devices, BRIMS maintains a distinctive collection of unique vintage and historically significant analog electronic items. BRIMS Heritage Resource Centre actively engages in showcasing sustainable practices through its innovative exhibition displays and mobile museum. This not only educates the public on responsible e-waste management but also contributes to tourism in Uganda. Recent data suggest that tourism in Uganda is an increasingly important contributor to its economy. The 1.5 million international arrivals, combined with a growing number of domestic tourists, generated 7.75% of GDP and 6.7% of total national employment in 2018 (CBI, 2020), signifying the positive impact of BRIMS' initiatives.

BRIMS Heritage Resource Centre's holistic approach to e-waste management sets a remarkable example for the entire nation. By integrating the preservation of electronic heritage with sustainable practices, BRIMS addresses the immediate challenges posed by e-waste and contributes to the broader goals of environmental conservation, electronic heritage preservation, and community education