267474 End-of-Life Impacts of Electronics

Tuesday, October 30, 2012

Sarah Westervelt, Masters Degree in Organizational Systems Renewal , Basel Action Network, Seattle, WA
In addition to impacts caused by the production of electronic equipment, there are profound and long-lasting occupational and environmental impacts resulting from managing the end-of-life phase of electronics. This presentation will provide an overview of the impacts associated with recycling, disposing, and exporting e-waste, with a particular focus on the effects of international e-waste trade (for recycling and for reuse), and near end-of-life equipment. Policy recommendations will be offered regarding short term and long term solutions for protecting human health and the environment from the risks associated with the end-of-life phase of electronics. In addition, the presentation will discuss the United Nation's response to the toxic crisis created by this relatively new waste stream (e.g. the Basel Convention's Ban Amendment and the PACE guidelines), as well as emerging market and legislative solutions.

Learning Areas:
Advocacy for health and health education
Ethics, professional and legal requirements
Implementation of health education strategies, interventions and programs
Occupational health and safety
Public health or related public policy
Systems thinking models (conceptual and theoretical models), applications related to public health

Learning Objectives:
1. The volume of global electronic waste (e-waste) generated globally, the extent of the hazards contained in e-waste, the pattern of environmental and occupational health impacts from improper dismantling of e-waste 2. U.S. and Global initiatives to stop the export of hazardous e-waste and to protect the workers who are exposed to the hazards in the primitive e-waste processing zones

Keywords: Advocacy, Environmental Justice

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am the e-Waste Project Coordinator at the Basel Action Network (BAN), and the Reuse/Recycling Chairperson for the Electronics TakeBack Coalition.I administer the Electronic Recycler’s Pledge of True Stewardship, and have developed the e-Steward’s certification program. Through programs, policy, and education, the e-Waste Project provides guidance to go beyond inadequate regulations and practices, and better understand existing international laws that pertain to trade in toxic wastes.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

Back to: 4057.0: Hazardous Chemicals in Electronics: Occupational Health Issues and Policy Recommendations