managing e-waste in developing countries: empa’s experience and vision
DESCRIPTION
Managing e-waste in developing countries: Empa’s experience and vision. David Rochat, e-waste project coordinator EMPA – Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology www.empa.ch St-Gallen / Switzerland. E-waste recycling manual steering committee meeting – 19.09.08. - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
Managing e-waste in developing countries: Empa’s experience and
vision
David Rochat, e-waste project coordinator
EMPA – Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology
www.empa.ch
St-Gallen / Switzerland
E-waste recycling manual steering committee meeting – 19.09.08
About us…
■ EMPA: Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Testing & Research
■ independent, neutral institution for multidisciplinary research into sustainable materials and systems engineering.
■ competence center for e-waste hosted by the technology and society laboratory
■ technical monitoring & control centre for e-waste on behalf of the Swiss PRO
■ Experienced in e-waste since the mid-90’s!■ Managing the Swiss global e-waste programme “knowledge
partnerships in e-waste management”. Projects in India, China, South Africa, Colombia, Peru
■ Managing and/or expert in several other projects: Morocco, Senegal, Uganda, Kenya, Chile, Costa Rica
About us…
In the field of e-waste in developing countries, EMPA has worked on:
■ Policy and Legislation
■ Awareness and Education
■ Baselines and Assessments (standard methodology)
■ Technology and Skills (pilot projects, alternate business models, …)
■ Industry Involvement and EPR
Our Vision: Globally
■ Not all e-waste is valuable
■ ALL e-waste needs to be treated correctly■ Maximize the recovery of valuable materials
■ Dispose/treat safely hazardous fractions
■ “Clean e-waste Channels” rely on 3 pillars:■ Technology & skills
■ Business & finance
■ Policy & legislation
■ Promote the 3Rs principle:■ Reuse (2nd hand)
■ Recover materials (recycling)
■ Recover energy (incineration)
Our Vision: for the Developing World
■ The developing world needs IT equipment for its economic, social and cultural development
■ We can’t afford to refuse the import of 2nd hand equipment in these countries
■ All equipments, new and 2nd hand, need to enter a “Clean e-Waste Channel” when obsolete
■ The producers (= manufacturers & importers!) are to be made responsible
■ All developing countries have performing, but critical e-waste management channels!
The problem is more organizational then technical!!!
Our Objectives
■ Minimize the damage to the people and the environment resulting from improper e-waste handling
■ Allow for the maximum but safe participation of the existing informal sectors
■ Fair share of the profit all along the recycling chain
■ Secure financing for the safe treatment of critical / hazardous fractions
■ Establish global standards and keep developing knowledge
Looking forward to this promising initiative!
http://ewasteguide.info