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E-waste Recycling & Refurbishing Workshop: Environmentally Sound Management Practices

Join us for a workshop on E-waste recycling and refurbishing, where we will discuss voluntary ESM approaches for managing used and waste electronics. Learn about the industry-led ESM in Canada and the benefits and challenges of this approach.

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E-waste Recycling & Refurbishing Workshop: Environmentally Sound Management Practices

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  1. Workshop on E-waste Recycling and Refurbishing: Environmentally Sound Management Practices Voluntary ESM approaches for refurbishing and recycling used and waste electronics Industry-Led ESM in Canada Sean De Vries eStewardship.ca Guadalajara, MexicoFebruary 15–16

  2. Object of the presentation • Who we are • The Setting and Evolution of Our Standard • How Recyclers Get Involved • Benefits and Challenges of our Approach • Lessons Learned

  3. Background • eStewardship.ca is an organization established by the province-wide end-of-life electronics (EOLE) programs in Canada to focus on harmonized initiatives • 5 EOLE Programs in Canada – covering 6 provinces • All but one are industry-led programs, although all programs operate under a similar framework • Stewards (obligated brand owners) remit fee to the stewardship program on the supply of obligated products in the province, the program uses the fees to collect and recycle EOLE in responsible manner

  4. Setting the Standard • As governments began to look at regulating EOLE, industry realized there was no standard for handling this material in a responsible manner • Setting the standard was critical to ensure effective risk management • A variety of approaches were considered but it was determined that a detailed approach specific to the electronics recycling industry was required • Resulted in establishing the Electronics Recycling Standard (ERS)

  5. Basis of the ERS • Sound environmental, health, safety & social controls • Prohibit land filling of EOLE • Prohibit the use of prison labour in processing EOLE • Prohibit the shipping of material to developing/non-OECD countries • Enforce downstream accountability of all materials * One Standard: All recyclers must meet the same standard, regardless of operations, jurisdiction, material or point in the material recovery stream, etc.

  6. Evolution to the RQP • Beyond the ERS, it was recognized that further detailed information was required • Led to the development of a comprehensive Recycler Qualification Program (RQP) in 2010: • ELECTRONICS RECYCLING STANDARD • IMPLEMENTATION GUIDE • RECYCLER ASSESSMENT AND APPROVAL PROCESS • ONGOING SURVEILLANCE AND RE-VERIFICATION • AUDIT PROTOCOLS • APPROVED RECYCLER RECOGNITION • TERMS AND DEFINITIONS • FORMS

  7. Versions of the ERS Version #1 2004 Modified version in use by ARMA Version #2.1 2006 In use by ACES, ESABC and SWEEP Version #3 2009 In use by OES Version #4 2010 National approach

  8. Assessments to the ERS Different than other standards  Program initiated approvals • Recyclers apply to the program • Program initiates an audit • Auditor reviews documented evidence and then conducts an on-site audit to provide an assessment of conformance to the ERS • All recyclers are audited until the material reaches the point of final disposition

  9. Benefits of this Overall Approach • Primary recycler is responsible for the downstream accountability of the material • Requires Recyclers to assess their operations, not simply comply with elements of a Standard • Provides a structured framework under which recyclers can develop EHS programs and operational controls • Helps educate recyclers on the products they receive and any substances of concern they contain • Provides an objective, third-party assessment of the recycler’s operations • Helps to differentiate recyclers by providing recognition as a program approved recycler

  10. Challenges with this Approach • The requirements are in addition to and do not replace regulatory requirements • Is not a substitute for regulatory enforcement • The Standard needs to be clear and concise, and open enough to allow for all suitable process/ operations – can’t prevent development of new processes/technologies • The Standard only the beginning – education and consistency in assessments and approvals is critical

  11. Lessons Learned for Recyclers • Significant learning curve - Being involved at the beginning of the process is an advantage • The ‘Standard’ will evolve – Recyclers should evolve with it • Work closely with the Standard body to ensure that processes/technologies/developments are understood

  12. Industry-Led ESM in Canada Sean De Vries Director of Technical Harmonization 92 Caplan Avenue, Suite 102 Barrie ON Canada L4N 0Z7 office: 705-719-3929e-mail: sean@eStewardship.ca

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