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Managing e-waste in developing countries: Empa’s experience and vision

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.

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Managing e-waste in developing countries: Empa’s experience and vision

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  1. Managing e-waste in developing countries: Empa’s experience and vision David Rochat, e-waste project coordinatorEMPA – Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technologywww.empa.chSt-Gallen / Switzerland E-waste recycling manual steering committee meeting – 19.09.08

  2. 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

  3. 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

  4. 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)

  5. 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!!!

  6. 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

  7. Looking forward to this promising initiative! http://ewasteguide.info

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