Zambia plans halting imports of old computers, television sets, radio cassettes and DVD players to reduce e-waste levels in the country.

The Zambia Environmental Management Authority (ZEMA) has deployed officers at all border checkpoints in a bid to prevent the imports.

ZIMA principal information and communications officer, Irene Chipili, said Zambia has no capacity to dispose of hazardous waste resulting from old electronic products being imported into the country by individuals and organisations.

She said e-waste can contain hazardous and deadly substances, including heavy metals such as mercury and lead.

Last week, ZEMA and the Zambia Bureau of Standards seized hundreds of electrical appliances including television sets, radio cassettes and DVD players from a warehouse in the capital Lusaka considered to be below accepted standards while their voltage was not compatible with household provisions.

The agency has also intercepted a container filled with older electronic products at Chirundu border.

“We have no capacity to dispose of hazardous electronic products. We have to export electronic wastes to appropriate countries like Finland for disposal,” Chipili said.