1. SBC e-Waste Africa Project Secretariat of the Basel Convention
The Complexity of the E-waste Problem What is e-waste – and why is it an issue?
SBC e-Waste Africa Project
Secretariat of the Basel Convention

2. Empa
Since 20 years Empa assists e-waste management systems in Switzerland and abroad (e-Waste Team 8 / 800)
Auditing and R&D for the Swiss system operators SENS, SWICO
Representing Switzerland in the forum of the European e-waste take-back systems (European WEEE Forum)
Leading the task force “Recycling” of the UN initiative “Solving the E-waste Problem (StEP)”
Leading cooperation projects with partners in Africa, Asia and Latin America
Related research
© Empa/Switzerland, 20 July 2009

3. International cooperation in e-waste management
Dakar
Guiyu
Bangalore
Bogotá
Cape Town
© Empa/Switzerland, 20 July 2009

4. Sustainable Recycling Industries (new programme funded by Swiss SECO))
Policies & Standards for Responsible Recycling (global)
Capacity Building
India
Hazardous substances in (WEEE) plastics
South Africa
Recycling of cooling and freezing appliances
Ghana & Egypt
Sustainable management of e-waste
Life Cycle Inventories (Brazil, Egypt, India, South Africa)
© Empa/Switzerland, 20 July 2009

5. E-waste = WEEE = Waste Electric and Electronic Equipment
What is e-waste?
E-waste = WEEE = Waste Electric and Electronic Equipment
According to the EU WEEE Directive, e-waste can be:
© Empa/Switzerland, 20 July 2009

6. E-waste is the fastest groing waste stream
Key message 1
E-waste is the fastest groing waste stream
© Empa/Switzerland, 20 July 2009

7. E-waste is the fastest groing waste stream
2012 total:
~45 mln tonnes
Source: Huisman 2012
© Empa/Switzerland, 20 July 2009

8. Developing countries are becoming large e-waste producers as well
Estimated future computer waste generation for Tanzania
Source: Magashi and Schluep 2011
© Empa/Switzerland, 20 July 2009

9. Example e-waste generation in Nigeria / Ghana
Breakdown of imports
Breakdown of WEEE arising
new
Domestic
e-waste
Approx 650,000 tonnes
used - good quality
E-waste from used EEE of unclear quality
Approx 350,000 tonnes
used - bad quality
broken / repairable
directly imported e-waste
Approx 250,000 tonnes
(~5% of WEEE in EU15)
broken / not repairable
Source: SBC 2012
© Empa/Switzerland, 20 July 2009

10. Key message 2
E-waste can contain hazardous substances and its improper treatment leads to adverse effects for human health and the environment
© Empa/Switzerland, 20 July 2009

11. Hazardous substances in EEE
Occurence in EEE
Possible adverse effects
PBDEs, PBBs
Flame retardants in plastics
Hormonal effects, under thermal treatment possible formation of dioxines and furanes
Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB)
Condensers, transformers
Cancer, effects on the immune system, reproductive system, nervous system, endocrine system and other health effects
Chlorofluorocarbon (CFC)
Cooling units, insulation foam
deleterious effect on the ozone layer -> increased incidence of skin cancer / genetic damage
Americium (Am)
Smoke detectors
radioactive element
Antimony
carcinogenic potential
Arsenic
gallium arsenide inlight emitting diodes
skin diseases, decrease nerve conduction velocity, lung cancer
Barium
Getters in CRT
brain swelling, muscle weakness, damage to the heart, liver and spleen
Cadmium
NiCd-batteries, fluorescent layer (CRT screens), printer inks and toners
symptoms of poisoning (weakness, fever, headache, chills, sweating and muscular pain), lung cancer and kidney damage
Chromium VI
Data tapes, floppy-disks
irritating to eyes, skin and mucous membranes, DNA damage
Lead
CRT screens, batteries, printed wiring boards
vomiting, diarrhea, convulsions, coma or even death, appetite loss, abdominal pain, constipation, fatigue, sleeplessness, irritability and headache
Mercury
Fluorescent lamps, some alkaline batteries, switches
brain and liver damage
© Empa/Switzerland, 20 July 2009

12. Improper treatment of e-waste (e.g. India / China)

13. Issues related to improper treatment of e-waste
Ref: Sepúlveda, A, Schluep M, et al A review of the environmental fate and effects of hazardous substances released from electrical and electronic equipments during recycling: Examples from China and India. Environmental Impact Assessment Review. 30(1):28–41.
© Empa/Switzerland, 29 March 2011

14. Example dioxine emissions from cable burning
Dioxine emission from cable burning is one of the main issues in many developing countries
Observation Accra/Ghana
~200 kg cable are burnt per hour
10-20% from e-waste (rest mainly from cars)
Extrapolated to West Africa 3-7 % of total European Dioxine emissions to air
© Empa/Switzerland, 29 March 2011

15. Key message 3
E-waste contains valuable resources which offers opportunities for urban mining and job creation
© Empa/Switzerland, 20 July 2009

16. At least 57 elements are used in EEE
Nicht gleich Wert
(Source: Behrendt et al. 2007)
© Empa/Switzerland, 20 July 2009

17. Opportunities in e-waste
© Empa/Switzerland, 20 July 2009 17

18. Primary vs. secondary ore deposits
Primary Ore
[g/t]
Secondary Ore
Device
PWB
Gold 9
280
1’400
Palladium 5 73
370
Platinum 3 14
Gallium
100 23
118
Lithium
7’000-20’000
10’000-20’000 (Battery)
Source: Empa, Graedel
© Empa/Switzerland, 20 July 2009

19. Key message 1: E-waste is the fastest groing waste stream
Conclusion
Key message 1: E-waste is the fastest groing waste stream
Key message 2: E-waste can contain hazardous substances and its improper treatment leads to adverse effects for human health and the environment
Key message 3: E-waste contains valuable resources which offers opportunities for urban mining and job creation
© Empa/Switzerland, 20 July 2009 19

20. Thank you!
Dr. Mathias Schluep Empa Lerchenfeldstrasse St.Gallen
SWITZERLAND
Technology & Society Lab:
Swiss e-Waste Programme:
© Empa/Switzerland, 20 July 2009