Strategies for implementing an efficient e-waste management system - David Rochat

Strategies for an efficient and controled management of e-waste Skopje, 23 rd November 2011 David Rochat, SOFIES [email_address]

Contents
Why is e-waste a problem and why do / should we care?
Where to start and how to go forward

Why is e-waste a problem and why do/should we care?

Why is e-waste an issue?

The problems related to e-waste
E-waste management poses problems of two kinds:
Because of its toxic content, dumping e-waste into the environment will contaminate to soil and groundwater
 indirect contamination of communities
Because of improper recycling practices, can affect the workers, their communities and the environment

Wild dumping of e-waste

The problems related to e-waste
E-waste management poses problems of two kinds:
Because of its toxic content, dumping e-waste into the environment will contaminate to soil and groundwater
 indirect contamination of communities
Because of improper recycling practices, can affect the workers, their communities and the environment

Improper recycling practices

Keller, 2005 Low efficiency (data from the informal sector in India)

Low efficiency : not any better in the formal sector!

How can a maximal value be recovered?

Electronics industry: a big consumer of resources

The (lost?) opportunities related to e-waste
E-waste management can present fabulous opportunities:
Because of its valuable content, e-waste recycling can create added value to the recycling sector
The recovery of metals and other valuable materials gives privileged access to expensive resources
Some materials contained in e-waste are very rare  controlling such materials provides strategic advantages to national economies (e.g. Indium, predicted first natural element we will run out of)
 Improper recycling practices lead to a loss of value!

So, where do we start ?

Conduct a nation-wide e-waste assessment: know what’s going on
the description and assessment of e-waste management practices in the formal and the informal sector
assessment of mass flows
potential impact to human health and the environment
an assessment of needs to ensure environmentally sound management, and a detailed description of the legal and regulatory infrastructures in place
Recommendations for the development of an environmentally sound management policies for e-waste management
The results of the country assessments are shared with all stakeholders

Result of national assessment (Example) 1 2 3 End-of-life equipment from corporate consumer: - Often declared as „donation“ for cheap disposal
Material recovery in the informal sector:
Manual dismantling of hazardous component
Wires and cable burning
precious metal recovery in a hazardous manner (e.g. gold leaching)
Informal dumping and burning:
Emissions from dumped residues
Emissions from informal burning sites
Consume Collect Recover Dispose F unction M aterial E nergy Private Consumer Informal Sector System Boundary Informal Dumping & Burning 1 2 3 Importers Manufacturers Retailer Informal Collector Imports (Donations) Corporate Consumer Scrap Dealers Middlemen (Auctions) Landfill Repair & Refurbish

Develop a Framework for a National Strategy (Example) Consume Collect Recover Dispose F unction M aterial E nergy Private Consumer System Boundary Middlemen (Auctions) Informal Dumping & Burning Policy & Legislation Business & Finance Technology & Skills Intervention Mechanisms:
Licensing
Legislation
Technical control and fixed contracts
New business models
Knowledge and technology transfer
Formalizing the informal sector
Trainings
Marketing & Awareness
Information Campaigns on all levels
Monitoring & Control
Standards
Audits
Monitoring Massflows
Importers Manufacturers Retailer Informal Collector Large Recyclers Imports (Donations) Corporate Consumer Authorized Dealers Landfill Repair & Refurbish Smelter Refinery Small recyclers

Conclusion
e-waste presents a threat, as much as it presents an opportunity
there is no simple answer  tackle the problem from its different aspects (education, legal, technical, economic, etc.)
A proper management strategy can significantly reduce threats and increase opportunities
 Many nations have started to react
 Join the global network!

THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION!
www.ewasteguide.info
[email_address]

Strategies for implementing an efficient e-waste management system - David Rochat

by Metamorphosis on Nov 23, 2011

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Strategies for implementing an efficient e-waste management system - David Rochat — Presentation Transcript

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