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