+ 04.03.2010 + Urgent Need to Prepare Developing Countries for Surge in E-Wastes.

Sales of electronic products in countries like China and India and across continents such as Africa and Latin America are set to rise sharply in the next 10 years.

And, unless action is stepped up to properly collect and recycle materials, many developing countries face the spectre of hazardous e-waste mountains with serious consequences for the environment and public health, according to UN experts in a landmark report released today by UNEP.

Issued at a meeting of world chemical authorities prior to UNEP’s Governing Council meeting in Bali, Indonesia, the report, Recycling — from E-Waste to Resources, used data from 11 developing countries to estimate current and future e-waste generation (such as old and dilapidated desk and laptop computers, printers, mobile phones, pagers, digital photo and music devices, refrigerators, toys and televisions).

The report is being launched by UNEP Executive Director Achim Steiner at a meeting of chemical experts prior to UNEP’s Governing Council in Bali, Indonesia. “This report gives new urgency to establishing ambitious, formal and regulated processes for collecting and managing e-waste via the setting up of large, efficient facilities in China,” he said.

Konrad Osterwalder, UNU Rector, said, “One person’s waste can be another’s raw material. The challenge of dealing with e-waste represents an important step in the transition to a green economy. This report outlines smart new technologies and mechanisms which, combined with national and international policies, can transform waste into assets, creating new businesses with decent green jobs. In the process, countries can help cut pollution linked with mining and manufacturing, and with the disposal of old devices.”

United Nations University Centre 2010