Where does the waste and e-waste come from?

Much of the waste comes from all around Accra. Many (Western) countries and companies bring electronic waste to Agbogbloshie, using a facade of charitable contributions to mask true intentions.Scrap dealers buy the e-waste from these outlets in the shipyard. Although e-waste recycling is relatively profitable, it is not as profitable as it could be, because the scraps must be bought first, including the 'donations' from other countries.

    Although many residents rely on e-waste recycling as a source of income, much of the 'donations' are useless, and are burned or compile in the area. E-waste workers, including children, do not wear protective clothing white recyling the waste, and are exposed to toxins, and toxic fumes when the waste is burned. The exposure causes health issues, particularly problems in lungs and eyes. Traces of toxins, such as polychlorinated biphenyl (PCBs), have been found in mother's milk of women who live in Agbogbloshie. Studies by groups such as Greenpeace show that the concentration of metals in some of this area is as much as 100 times higher than normal. Governmental negligence on addressing the environmental, social, and political issues here means that locals' economic dependency on e-waste  has not been alleviated, as well as that international e-waste dumping in Agbogbloshie still progresses. It is a flagrant act of environmental racism.