During the recently concluded 10th International Electronics Recycling Congress (IERC 2011) in Salzburg, Austria, a key discussion point was the European Union’s (EU’s) concern about ongoing illegal exports of electronic scrap to non-OECD countries. Of particular concern to the EU are such shipments to developing countries, where the material may not be treated in an environmentally safe manner. The EU is currently investigating how to resolve the issue.
According to Rosalinde van der Vlies of the European Environment Directorate General, roughly 52 percent of the electronic scrap in the EU is not accounted for and is likely exported. “Cost and opportunity combined are the drivers off illegal exports,” she said.
Speakers at the conference offered possible solutions, including the “export” of standards and recycling technologies. Other suggested approaches included the improvement of collection and reporting mechanisms and improved monitoring of compliance with legal obligations.
Eric Harris, director of governmental and international affairs for the Washington, D.C.-based Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries Inc. (ISRI), said his organization did not in principle object to electronic scrap exports to, for instance, African countries. “These exports generate jobs and income for the people in Africa,” he said. Harris agreed with Van der Vlies that efforts should be made to bring recycling of electronic scrap in developing countries to a higher and environmentally sound level.
While condemning illegal or scam recycling practices, Harris reinforced the need to not criminalize legal trade and to ensure a competitive, global marketplace. ISRI policy supported trading with legal facilities that could demonstrate environmental and health and safety standards, he added.
However, enacting legislation was one thing, enforcing it was another, said Klaus Willke of the urban development and environment agency for the city of Hamburg. He said it would be unjust to point to the port authorities in Europe as being responsible for illegal exports of electronic scrap. “We have a very small staff to carry out random checks of containers,” he said, adding that there was a large gray market for electronic scrap beside the official WEEE (waste electrical and electronic equipment) management system developed by the European Union.
IERC 2011, organized by Swiss company ICM AG, was Jan. 19-21, 2011, and attracted a record attendance of more than 450 delegates from 39 countries, the company notes.
The 11th International Electronics Recycling Congress IERC 2012 is scheduled for Jan. 18-20, 2012, in Salzburg, Austria. More information on the conference is available at www.icm.ch.
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