The Application of Stewardship to the Disposal

of End-of-Life Electronics

A presentation by Brian Grosskleg and

Eric Mamczasz

Electronic Waste or E-Waste

The increasing demand for consumer electronics has caused a rise in electronic waste

Concern over exporting of E-waste Environmental damage due to

unregulated recycling Established recycling programs

Rise in E-Waste New consumer electronics are

becoming obsolete faster than ever It is estimated that only 15-20% of

this waste is recycled 70% of heavy metal in U.S. landfills

are from E-waste

Exporting of E-Waste Large amounts of electronic waste is

exported to countries such as China, India and Africa

Canada signed the Basel Convention which bans the export of e-waste to developing nations

Companies in the U.S. export used electronics rather than deal with proper disposal on U.S. soil

Basel Convention Signed by Canada in 1992 Does not allow for export of waste

electronics to developing countries The countries in red have not ratified

the Basel Convention

Environmental Damage Toxic heavy metals accumulating in

landfills Water contamination from water run-off Developing countries suffer as they

import large amounts of E-waste

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pr1zQrXM_7s&feature=g-vrec&context=G21657eeRVAAAAAAAAAA

E-Waste in Developing Countries

Damage from Unregulated Recycling

Countries with low health and safety regulations can profit from unsafe recycling processes

Cause large environmental damage by using low-cost recycling processes

Have short-term benefits but leave lasting environmental impact

Responsible Recycling SWEEP: Saskatchewan Waste Electronic

Equipment Program

STAR: Samsung Take-back And Recycle program

http://www.sweepit.ca/consumer-information/recycling-process

Thank You

Questions?

References http://thejunkers.ca/wp-content/uplo

ads/2011/09/e-waste.jpg http://www.ec.gc.ca/gdd-mw/default.

asp?lang=En&n=4379B169-1 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basel_Co

nvention#Basel_Ban_Amendment http://earth911.com/wp-content/uplo

ads/2010/05/ewaste-ownership-graph.gif

http://www.canada.com/topics/technology/story.html?id=e8def77a-3a8f-420b-ad29-a9e08d03fca0

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Basel_Convention_signatories.PNG

http://www.reciclemos.net/docs/pdf%20ingles/Facts%20and%20figures.pdf

http://www41.statcan.ca/2006/1762/ceb1762_003-eng.htm