1. Solving the E-Waste Problem (StEP) Initiative – Towards sustainable solutions Per Döfnäs Member of StEP Steering Committee

2. StEP – SOLVING THE E-WASTE PROBLEM
E-Waste Definition
What is e-waste?
…or Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE)…
Generic term to describe old, end-of-life or discarded appliances using electricity which have been disposed of by their original users
WEEE categories according to Directive 2002/96 EC:
1 Large household appliances
2 Small household appliances
3 IT and telecommunications equipment
4 Consumer equipment
5 Lighting equipment
6 Electrical and electronic tools
7 Toys, leisure and sports equipment
8 Medical devices
9 Monitoring and control instruments
10 Automatic dispensers
StEP – SOLVING THE E-WASTE PROBLEM

3. E-Waste - A Significant Challenge
Volumes:
Increasing sales of electronics, decreasing lifetimes
~50 million tonnes e-waste generated worldwide
EU-27 in 2006: ~8.5 million tonnes generated, only 2.5 million tonnes recycled
Exports:
As donations/2nd hand, often illegal
Mainly to Asia (China, India, Pakistan, Vietnam), Africa (Nigeria & neighboring Western Africa, Northern Africa), Eastern Europe
StEP – SOLVING THE E-WASTE PROBLEM

4. E-Waste - A Significant Challenge
Dangers:
Re-use/repair of some devices, but low state-of-art recycling probability at final end-of-life
Backyard recycling with high environmental & health impacts and low yields
/efficiency
Soil & water contamination
from chemical disposal
Toxic emissions from
burning of materials
EMPA Eta-Au project (see picture on the right):
-> Objective: Evaluate Au recovery efficiencies
informal / SME sector recyclers use 3 wet chemical processes:
Cyanide leaching
Amalgamation (Hg)
Au stripping (electrolytic)
efficiencies are very low:
>60% losses during mechanical pre-processing
>50% losses during chemical processes
Total Au-recovery efficiency only  25%, while environmental & health damage is dramatic
Total Au-recovery efficiency only  25%, while environmental & health damage is dramatic (Rochat, Keller, EMPA 2007)
©Empa, Switzerland
StEP – SOLVING THE E-WASTE PROBLEM

5. What is StEP?
StEP is an initiative developed by various United Nations organizations with the overall aim to solve the e-waste problem.
Together with members from industry, governments, international organizations, NGOs and academia actively participating, StEP initiates and facilitates approaches towards the sustainable handling of e-waste.
StEP is a network of actors who have joined to exchange ideas and experiences and work with each other toward the realization of common aims.

6. StEP – SOLVING THE E-WASTE PROBLEM
StEP Vision
“StEP envisions a future in which societies have reduced to a sustainable level the e-waste-related burden on the ecosystem that results from the design, production, use and disposal of electrical and electronic equipment.
These societies make prudent use of lifetime extension strategies in which products and components – and the resources contained in them – become raw materials for new products.”
StEP – SOLVING THE E-WASTE PROBLEM

7. StEP – SOLVING THE E-WASTE PROBLEM
StEP Objectives
Solving the E-waste Problem (StEP) Initiative was created to…
Initiate and facilitate environmentally, economically & socially sound approaches to reduce e-waste flows and handle them in a sustainable way around the globe
Functions as a network of actors who share experiences and best practices
Carries out research and development projects
Disseminates experiences, best practices and recommendations
Founded in 2004, offcially launched in 2007
Initiated by Hewlett Packard and United Nations University
StEP – SOLVING THE E-WASTE PROBLEM

8. StEP – SOLVING THE E-WASTE PROBLEM
StEP Core Principles
StEP's work is founded on scientific assessments including social, environmental and economic aspects
StEP conducts research on the entire life-cycle of electronic and electrical equipment
StEP's research and pilot projects are meant to contribute to the solution of e-waste problems
StEP condemns all illegal activities related to e-waste including illegal shipments
StEP seeks to foster safe and eco/energy-efficient reuse and recycling practices around the globe in a socially responsible manner
“StEP envisions a future in
which societies have reduced
to a sustainable level the
e-waste-related burden on the
ecosystem that results from
the design, production, use and
disposal of electrical and
electronic equipment. These
societies make prudent use of
lifetime extension strategies in
which products and components
– and the resources
contained in them – become
raw materials for new products.”
StEP – SOLVING THE E-WASTE PROBLEM

9. StEP invites pro-active:
Membership
StEP invites pro-active:
Companies
Governmental Organizations
Non-governmental Organizations (NGOs)
International Organizations
Academic Institutions
from around the world to become a member
Members have to agree with the StEP principles through signing a Memorandum of Understanding between all StEP members

10. Membership Overview (June 2011)
International Organizations
Basel Convention Coordinating Centre for Asia and the Pacific (BCRC China)
Basel Convention Coordinating Centre for the African Region (BCCC Africa)
Center for Environment and Development for the Arab Region and Europe (CEDARE)
Secretariat of the Basel Convention (SBC)
United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD)
United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)
United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO)
United Nations University (UNU)
Governmental & Development Cooperation, Non-profit Organizations
Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ)
Enda Europe*
Morocco Cleaner Production Centre
Renewable Recyclers
Swiss State Secretariat of Economics (SECO)
TechSoup Global
United States Environmental Protection Agency (US-EPA)
Academia & Research
Austrian Society for Systems Engineering and Automation (SAT)
BIO Intelligence Service
Chinese Acadamy of Sciences (CAS)
Delft University of Technology
GAIKER Foundation
Griffith University
Institute for Applied Ecology (Öko-Institut)
Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Testing and Research (EMPA)
Fraunhofer Institute for Reliability and Microintegration (IZM)
KERP Research Electronics & Environment
Korea Institute of Geoscience & Mineral Resources (KIGAM)
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
Rifer Environmental
The Sustainability Consortium
Sustainable Electronics Initiative
Technical University of Braunschweig
Telecom Business School
Thai Electrical and Electronic Institute (EEI)
University of Limerick
WEEE Forum*
3P Consortium for Sustainable Management
Industry
AER Worldwide
Cisco Systems Ltd.
Compliance & Risks
Dataserv Group
Datec Technologies Ltd.
Dell
Ericsson
Flection
GOAB mbH
Hewlett Packard (HP)
MicroPro
National Center for Electronics Recycling (NCER)
Nokia Corporation
Philips Consumer Lifestyle
PT Worldwide
Sims Recycling Solutions
Taizhou Chiho Tiande
Umicore Precious Metal Refining
Vertmonde cia. Ltda.*
Since 2004, more than 50 members have joined StEP
representing key stakeholders in the field of e-waste tp provide for an holistic approach
* Associate Member

11. StEP – SOLVING THE E-WASTE PROBLEM
StEP Organizational Chart
The StEP General Assembly is composed of all full members.
Monitored by an elected multistakeholder steering committee which oversees the progress of the intitiative
Coordinated by UNU which hosts the Secretariat
Each StEP member contributes to one or more TFs, where the project work takes place
TF 1: …analyzes the status of existing policy approaches on e-waste & elaborates policy recommendations for future developments…
TF 2:
… dedicated to product design aspects to reduce negative impacts of the entire life cycle of electronics, enhance DfR and close material loops…
TF 4:
… overall aim is to enhance global recycling infrastructures and technologies to realise a sustainable e-waste recycling globally…
TF5:
… aims at increasing public, scientific and business awareness and disseminating the results of TFs 1 - 4…
StEP – SOLVING THE E-WASTE PROBLEM

12. Task Force Policy
Analyzes the status of existing policy approaches on e-waste, and elaborates policy recommendations for future developments...
Project overview (samples):
√ White Paper Recast WEEE Directive
√ White Paper ‘Take-Back Systems and Design Guidelines’
√ Research Study ‘Best e-waste policies’
@ Project ‘EEE and Climate Change’
@ Green Paper on E-waste Indicators
@ White Paper on Transboundary Shipments (with Task Force ReUse)
White Paper Take-Back Systems and Design Guidelines:
This White Paper seeks to support stakeholders in the creation of North American electronics recycling systems by summarizing important lessons learned from implementation of the EU’s WEEE Directive and assessing the performance of in-place electronics recycling systems in North America.
White Paper Recast of WEEE Directive
Just published, paper providing recommendations supporting the review of the WEEE Directive
WEEE recycling & Climate Change:
This project intends to inform the COP of the UNFCCC on the effects on greenhouses gases through EEE and especially WEEE
Best E-waste Policies:
Overall aim of this StEP meta-project is to comparatively evaluate different national policies and legislation on e-waste and, from this, to come up with legal and policy recommendations for “best e-waste policies”
 working phase, $ acquisition phase, ? idea phase
StEP – SOLVING THE E-WASTE PROBLEM
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13.  completed, @ working phase, $ acquisition phase, ? idea phase
Task Force ReDesign
… dedicated to product design aspects to reduce negative impacts of the entire life cycle of electronics…
Project overview:
√ DfR Case Studies Library
√ Research study ‘Wearable Computers – End-of-Life Implications’
√ Closing the Loop
? Project ‘Certification Technology for Recycling Plastic’
DfR Case Studies Library:
This study gives an overview on current approaches and case studies in the field of Design for Recycling. On one page product specific best practice examples are explained. The current version of the library comprises 13 case studies.
Wearable Computers – End-of-Life Implications
This research study tries to identify major trends of wearable computers, i.e. textile based electronics and impacts on end-of-life treatments of e.g. used textiles, and to develop technology guidance to minimise end-of-life impacts of wearables.
Closing the Loop – see slides
ZeroWIN-
Research project within FP 7
Towards zerowaste in industrial networks - Development of waste-prevention methodologies and strategies in the IT-, photovoltaics, automotive and construction sector
 working phase, $ acquisition phase, ? idea phase
StEP – SOLVING THE E-WASTE PROBLEM
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14.  completed, @ working phase, $ acquisition phase, ? idea phase
Task Force ReUse
… defines globally consistent “re-use” practices, principles, and standards to enhance re-use opportunities, change consumer behaviour & reduce „sham re-use“…
Project overview (samples):
√ Conference ‘1st World ReUse Forum’
√ White Paper ‘One Global Understanding of Re-use – Common Definitions’
√ Case studies synthesis ‘Best practices in re-use’
@ White Paper on Transboundary Shipments (with Task Force Policy)
? Recommendations for re-use certification/guidelines
1st Global Reuse Forum:
In line with the Electronics Goes Green 2008 conference, a separate forum with thematic focus on professional Reuse, Refurbishment, Remarketing and Sustainable Consumption will be organised to take place on September
Common Definitions for Reuse:
This project intends to find StEP-agreed definitions of reuse, refurbishment, EEE products and other related topics and publish them in a White Paper.
Case studies synthesis:
Comparative evaluation of best practices in refurbishment and re-use based on StEP member experiences
This best-practices overview should then be the basis for the further development of a re-use guidance document
 working phase, $ acquisition phase, ? idea phase
StEP – SOLVING THE E-WASTE PROBLEM
StEP – SOLVING THE E-WASTE PROBLEM 14 14

15.  completed, @ working phase, $ acquisition phase, ? idea phase
Task Force ReCycle
… overall aim is to enhance global recycling infrastructures and technologies to realise a sustainable e-waste recycling…
Project overview (samples):
 Research study ‘ Recycling – From E-waste to Resources’
 Review ‘Environmental fate and effects of hazardous substances of informal e-waste recycling’
@ Project ‘Best of 2 Worlds’
@ Green Paper on End-of-Life Standards
Rrecycling – From E-waste to Ressources
UNU formed a consortium with the StEP members EMPA and Umicore following the request of UNEP to perform a study on innovative recycling technologies and market opportunities focusing on e-waste. The preparations of the publication of this study as UNEP Technical Report are just about to be completed. The formal launch of this study is planned for February 2010.
Environm. fate of hazardous substances released from WEEE recycling
Aim of this research study is to review the existing literature describing and explaining the environmental impacts of leaching and burning practices related with the recovery of gold from PWBs.
The Best of 2 Worlds:
See slides
StEP recycling guidance:
Scientific recommendations to recyling/EoL guidelines; White Paper on Standards for EoL Operations of e-waste currently under development
 working phase, $ acquisition phase, ? idea phase
StEP – SOLVING THE E-WASTE PROBLEM

16. Task Force Capacity Building
… aims at increasing public, scientific and business awareness and disseminating the results of TFs 1 - 4…
Project overview (samples):
@ Annual Reporting on the global E-waste Status (ADDRESS)
@ 2009 & 2010 NVMP-StEP E-waste Summer School Series
$ E-waste Academy for policymakers and small and medium size enterprises
? Online Recycling Trainer
IWWA:
European Commission funded networking-project on solid waste-management in Western Africa (2010 – 2012)
Objectives:
To strengthen the institutional framework for Solid Waste Management and coordination at all levels
Encouraging technology transfer, know-how and best practices
To promote African expertise in sustainable solid waste management
Strengthening links among local authorities
Promoting participation, public awareness and stakeholder involvement
 target countries: Ghana, Senegal, cote D’Ivoire, Nigeria, (South Africa and Egypt as Multipliers)
Summer School: see slides
E-waste 2009 Conference: see slides
 working phase, $ acquisition phase, ? idea phase
StEP – SOLVING THE E-WASTE PROBLEM

17. www.step-initiative.org/publications Common Definitions for Reuse:
This project intends to find StEP-agreed definitions of reuse, refurbishment, EEE products and other related topics and publish them in a White Paper.
1st Global Reuse Forum:
In line with the Electronics Goes Green 2008 conference, a separate forum with thematic focus on professional Reuse, Refurbishment, Remarketing and Sustainable Consumption will be organised to take place on September
Sustainable Consumption:
This research project investigates how to promote a sustainable reuse of electronic equipment, in particular with regard to changing consumption patterns and influencing consumer behaviour.
Reuse Market Model:
Objective of is to develop a model for assessing and estimating current and future reuse markets, based on data available for focus countries to be defined.
StEP – SOLVING THE E-WASTE PROBLEM
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18. StEP – SOLVING THE E-WASTE PROBLEM
Conclusions
Knowledge hub for e-waste related issues
International e-waste knowledge transfer
Multi-stakeholder approach
Holistic view
Based on scientific assessment
Pragmatic and problem-oriented
StEP – SOLVING THE E-WASTE PROBLEM

19. UNITED NATIONS UNIVERSITY
CONTACT
StEP Secretariat
UNITED NATIONS UNIVERSITY
Institute for Sustainability and Peace (UNU-ISP)
Operating Unit SCYCLE
53113 Bonn / Germany
/-0214
StEP – SOLVING THE E-WASTE PROBLEM