Originally published March 19 2007
New U.N. alliance to address global e-waste problem
by David Gutierrez, staff writer
An alliance between three U.N. agencies, 16 businesses and several government agencies and universities has been formed to create global guidelines for the disposal of electronic waste. The project, called Solving the E-waste Problem (StEP), will be led by a Secretariat of the United Nations. Utilizing a skeleton staff of only three full-time employees, the StEP Secretariat will contract out most of the work.
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What you need to know - Conventional View
• Many electronic devices such as computers, phones, televisions, microwaves, batteries and hair dryers often contain poisonous chemicals, such as dioxins or PCBs, or heavy metals, such as mercury or lead. These toxins can leach into the soil or water, or be released into the air if incinerated.
• Other devices contain precious metals such as gold, platinum, indium or ruthenium, which rising prices may soon make profitable to extract from e-waste.
• According to StEP, electronic waste is one of the fastest-growing types of trash in the world, with levels rapidly approaching 40 million metric tons per year. StEP wants to create a series of international guidelines for disposal, as well as finding ways to encourage companies to make longer-lasting products with more upgradeable (rather than disposable) components.
• Quote: "Companies involved in StEP will benefit through globally standardized, safe and environmentally-proven processes for disposal, reduction or reuse and recycling of e-scrap." - Hans van Ginkel, head of U.N. University
Resources you need to know
• Solving the E-waste Problem website: http://www.step-initiative.org/
Bottom line
• The United Nations is leading an international effort to create standards for the disposal of electronic waste.
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