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 St-Gallen / Switzerland E-waste recycling manual steering committee meeting –

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 (2 nd 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 2 nd hand equipment in these countries ■ All equipments, new and 2 nd 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!