LECTURE 5 – ELECTRONIC WASTES

TRAINING WORKSHOP ON ENVIRONMENTALLY REGULATED SUBSTANCES

OVERVIEW

Smuggling Routes What is E-waste? E-waste under the Basel Convention Secondhand Goods or Waste? Examples Challenges Impacts

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QUANTITIES

49 million tons of e-waste generated globally in 2012

Projected to 33% to 65.4 million tons by 2017

Illegal WEEE exports from Europe to non-OECD countries estimated to be at least

300,000-500,000 tons

250,000 tons of e-waste per year illegally enter ports in W. Africa

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GENERAL DEFINITION OF E-WASTE

Waste electrical and electronic equipment that is dependent on electric currents or electromagnetic fields in order to function (including all components, subassemblies and consumables which are part of the original equipment at the time of discarding). [USEPA]

Any appliance using an electric power supply that has reached its end-of-life [OECD]

Examples: fridges, air conditioners, washing machines,

microwave ovens, fluorescent light bulbs; computers and accessories, mobile phones, television sets and stereo equipment… 5

E-WASTE UNDER THE BASEL CONVENTION Waste electrical equipment generally falls under

Basel Convention definition of hazardous waste

E-waste is included in the Convention

Under Annex VIII A1180 - Waste electrical and electronic assemblies or scrap

Under Annex IX B1110 - Electrical and electronic assemblies

Regional and national requirements E.g., export of E-waste for any purpose to non-OECD

countries is forbidden in EU Waste Shipment Regulation 6

USABLE ELECTRONICS OR E-WASTE?

Packaging and stacking Is there appropriate protection against damage

during transportation?

Invoice of sale Statement that indicates that equipment had been

tested and is fully functional

Evidence of Evaluation or Testing Certificate of testing, proof of functional capability

Intent of shipper Declaration indicating that none of equipment or

materials within consignment is waste

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USABLE ELECTRONICS OR E-WASTE?

equipment is not complete or essential parts are missing

it shows a defect that materially affects its functionality

it shows physical damage that impairs its functionality or safety

It has among its constituent part(s) hazardous components that are prohibited under national legislation.

Equipment and used equipment should normally be considered waste if:

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WASTE OR NOT WASTE (CON’T)The protection against damage during

transport, loading and unloading operations is inappropriate, e.g. the packaging or stacking of the load is insufficient

The appearance is particularly worn or damaged, thus reducing the marketability of the item(s)

The item has among its constituent part(s) hazardous components that are required to be discarded or are prohibited to be exported or used in such equipment under national legislation; 9

WASTE OR NOT WASTE (CON’T)The equipment is destined for disposal or

recycling instead of reuse or its fate is uncertain;

There is no regular market for the equipment It is destined for cannibalization (to gain

spare parts); or

The price paid for the items is significantly lower than would be expected from fully functional equipment intended for reuse.

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CAREFULLY PACKAGED MONITORS AND TVS?

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CAREFULLY PACKAGED MONITORS AND TVS?

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SMUGGLING METHODS FOR E-WASTE False declaration of shipping content

Secondhand goods, used electronic goods, personal effects, plastic scrap, mixed metal scrap

Concealment, e.g. behind legitimate commodities

Indicating fake destination and/or treatment

Shipment without prior informed consent

Falsified documents/declarations/certificates

Mixing hazardous and non-hazardous waste

Frequent ports of export US, Japan, Europe, Hong Kong

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CHALLENGE: DEFINING E-WASTE

Does the shipment contain electronics that are useable second-hand goods or wastes?

Lack of clear criteria to distinguish second-hand electronics from waste SBC drafting definitions between waste and non-

waste 2012 European Union WEEE Directive provides

guidance

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CHALLENGE: HAZARDOUS OR NON-HAZARDOUS

Electronic wastes likely contain hazardous substances

Testing difficult due to costs and complexity of applying sampling, screening and analytical techniques

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CHALLENGE: TARGETING

Exporters may not declare goods as waste, even though they should be considered waste, for example when: Equipment is non-functional Equipment is not properly packaged Equipment is intended for disposal

Officials must develop decision-making process and relevant indicators for targeting e-waste shipments

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CHALLENGE: COOPERATION Customs officers cannot combat illegal traffic

alone. Cooperate with relevant national environment

agencies for legal and technical information, equipment and facilities.

National environment agencies rely on customs agencies.

Cooperation between environment agencies, customs, port authorities, and police is crucial, along with agencies responsible for health, occupational safety issues, and national security

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IMPACT OF E-WASTE

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IMPACT OF E-WASTE

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