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Electronic Waste

All discarded products that have an electrical cable or battery are classified as Wastes from Electronic or Electric Equipment (WEEE). Examples include toasters, computers, mobile phones, microwaves and radios. These items produce complicated multi-material wastes with different proportions of metals, plastics and glass. These can be polluting if they are not adequately treated before final disposal. Material recovery from this equipment is relatively complex but can prove worthwhile when they contain precious and rare metals e.g. gold.

waste from electronic or electrical equipment
material recovery and recycling from WEEE
computers and computer efficient software
literature related to material recovery and recycling from WEEE
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E-discussion on WEEE in preparation

WASTE is planning an E-discussion on WEEE (Waste Electrical Electronic Equipment) & Export in the period October - November 2006.

Points of discussion include:

Export of WEEE from high- to low-income countries and
Re-use, repair, recycling and safe end-of-life management of WEEE.

Aiming at knowledge sharing, WASTE welcomes stakeholders with various backgrounds to participate in discussion, from both South and North.

More information on this initiative is coming soon!
The E-discussion is still in preparatory stage, but if you are already interested keen to join, please send an email with your name, professional background or status, to Ivo Haenen at ihaenen(at)waste.nl and you will receive a reply as soon as possible. Please also keep an eye on this post for more information.

Current project on WEEE

A follow up from a project in 2003 : Design of an ISWM Strategy for the minimization and management of electronic waste components in Costa Rica and The Netherlands, on the basis of innovative Dutch experiences

In December 2004, WASTE together with its Costa Rican counterpart, ACEPESA, received funding to continue activities for two more years related to applying the ISWM methodology to the Waste Materials Stream Wastes from Electronic and Electric Equipment (WEEE) in Costa Rica and The Netherlands.

Funder: SDA funds

Responsible Export Forum

6 messages.

On this forum you can put your opinion on the advantages and disadvantages of the export of WEEE to Low-Income Countries. You are invited to join the discussion with WASTE.

Responsible Export of WEEE

The export of WEEE to low-income countries brings on a discussion whether this is a desirable situation. WASTE has started a study to get more insight on the pros and cons of the export. What conditions are needed to ensure safe disposal, how much income can the disassembly generate. How can you ensure so-called responsible export of WEEE. WASTE wants to find the answers to these questions via this project.

weee-recycle.com

Weee-recycle.com keeps you updated on all you need to know about the new legislation and suggests practical solutions your organisation can benefit from.

After 10 years of debate the EU directives EEE, WEEE and RoHS are becoming a reality. The impact on the way manufacturers design, produce and dispose of their products will be huge.

Http://www.weee-recycle.com/home.html

Computers for Development

Computers for Development want to share the technologies of rich western countries with people in the least developed countries. Its aim is to foster development through ICT, and create networks that help people help themselves.

As a refurbisher they are aware of EOL (End Of Life) issues, and are currently trying to establish a recycle plant in Kenya. Hopefully it is in place in 2006 and will be able to serve the east African region.