Analysis of Egyptian Ministry of Defense E-Waste Processes and Management

Abstract

This thesis presents an in-depth analysis of the E-waste management process used by the Egyptian Ministry of Defense (MOD), highlighting opportunities to improve efficiency and economic outcomes. Currently, E-waste is stored in centralized warehouses and sold every three months to private-sector buyers, a process that neglects the substantial potential value within discarded electronics. By adopting urban mining—extracting valuable metals such as gold, silver, copper, and palladium from electronic waste—MOD could recover resources internally and enhance sustainability. Many private-sector buyers lack a proper recycling infrastructure, often leading to environmentally harmful disposal practices and the loss of critical materials. Establishing internal recycling facilities would allow MOD to control the full process, increase revenue, and minimize environmental risks associated with improper E-waste handling. Recovered materials could directly support Egypt’s defense industrial base, reducing reliance on imported resources and strengthening national supply chain resilience. This study includes a comparative cost-effectiveness analysis as well as detailed process mapping of both the current and proposed E-waste management systems. The findings show that, although internal recycling requires a higher initial investment, it ultimately delivers greater financial returns, stronger regulatory compliance, improved material flow, and better alignment with national sustainability.