Workshop on E-waste Recycling and Refurbishing: Environmentally Sound Management Practices

1. Michael VanderPol Environment Canada Michael VanderPol Environment Canada Guadalajara, MexicoFebruary 15–16 Guadalajara, MexicoFebruary 15–16 Workshop on E-waste Recycling and Refurbishing: Environmentally Sound Management Practices Guidance Supporting Environmentally Sound Management (ESM) of Used & Waste Electrical & Electronic Equipment under the OECD & UN Basel Convention

2. Objectives • Define ESM • Identify guidance (OECD & UNEP Basel Convention) • Introduce ESM considerations

3. ESM is an important consideration for facilities • ESM may be described as: • Taking all practicable steps to ensure that used and/or end-of-life products or wastes are managed in a manner which will protect human health & the environment • Benefits of ESM to facilities: • Reduced risk to environment & public health • Economic benefits of increased plant efficiency • Trade benefits • Due diligence or duty of care • Improved safety • Improved relationships with regulators & public • Improved business relationships • Protection of stockholder & stakeholder interests

4. Relevant OECD guidance is available… • Organization for Economic Cooperation & Development: • Forum to promote policies that will improve the economic & social well-being of people around the world • 34 member countries (including Mexico, USA & Canada) • 3 ESM workshops: Mexico (1999), Austria (2000) & USA (2002) • Guidance targets recycling & waste (but concepts are transferable to reuse) Guidance • Recommendation of the Council on ESM of Waste (9 Jun 2004 / rev. 16 Oct 2007) • Guidance Manual on ESM of Waste (2007) • Technical Guidance for ESM of Used and Scrap Personal Computers (18 Feb 2003)

5. …& UN Basel guidance is emerging • United Nations Basel Convention: • Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal • 175 Parties (including Mexico & Canada; USA is a Signatory) • Open-ended Working Group (OEWG) & Partnership on Action for Computing Equipment (PACE) Draft guidance * • ESM Criteria Recommendations • Guideline on Environmentally Sound Testing, Refurbishment & Repair of Used Computing Equipment • Guideline on Environmentally Sound Material Recovery / Recycling of End-of-Life Computing Equipment • Technical Guidelines on Transboundary Movement of E-waste, In Particular Regarding the Distinction Between Waste and Non-Waste * Guidance will be proposed for Party approval at COP10 (Oct 2011)

6. ESM guidance share key “generic” concepts… OECD Core Performance Elements for Facilities UN Basel PACE ESM Criteria for Facilities • Top Management Commitment to a Systematic Approach • Risk Assessment • Risk Prevention & Minimization • Legal Requirements • Awareness, Competency & Training • Record-keeping & Performance Measurement • Corrective Action • Transparency & Verification • Environmental Management System • Safeguard Occupational & Environmental Health & Safety • Monitor, Recording & Reporting Programmes • Training Programme • Emergency Plan • Plan for Closure & After-care (with Financial Guarantees)

7. …& identify operational-specific “best practices” • Implement pollution control & abatement measures • Ensure safe storage & transport • Package equipment properly • Assure ESM for residual wastes • Understand & comply with relevant laws (including other country import restrictions) • Do not undertake informal sector activities • Some examples include: • Specify products accepted at the facility • Evaluate suitability of feedstock for reuse / recycling • Ensure safe storage & transport • Assure data security & destruction • Use proper personal protection equipment • Handle hazardous components with special care • Test & document functionality of refurbished products

8. * ESM is evolutionary (& requires careful planning) • Process should stimulate improvement (vs. judgement) * OECD Workshop on ESM of Wastes Destined for Recovery Operations (Austria, 2000)

9. “Killer phrases” & closing thoughts • Have you heard the following? • “Regulatory compliance is enough” • “ESM is the same thing as ISO 9001 / ISO 14001” • “ESM is too expensive for small & medium-sized enterprises” • “ESM causes marketplace distortions” • “Everybody is going to say they have an ESM in place” • What do you think? • Use this workshop to shed additional light on these issues • Ask our industry experts!

10. Questions? Michael VanderPol Environment Canada michael.vanderpol@ec.gc.ca (819) 994-7266

11. Useful Guidance • OECD Recommendation of the Council on ESM of Waste (v. 16 Oct 2007) (http://acts.oecd.org/Instruments/ShowInstrumentView.aspx?InstrumentID=51&InstrumentPID=48&Lang=en&Book=False) • OECD Guidance Manual on ESM of Waste (v. 2007) (http://www.oecd.org/dataoecd/23/31/39559085.pdf) • OECD Technical Guidance for ESM of Used and Scrap Personal Computers (v. 18 Feb 2003) (http://www.oecd.org/officialdocuments/displaydocumentpdf/?cote=ENV/EPOC/WGWPR(2001)3/FINAL&doclanguage=en) • Approved Draft UN Basel PACE ESM Criteria Recommendations (v. 9 Mar 2010) (http://www.basel.int/industry/compartnership/docs/FinalApprovedReportESM-22March2010.pdf) • Draft UN Basel PACE Guideline on Environmentally Sound Testing, Refurbishment & Repair of Used Computing Equipment (coming soon: http://www.basel.int/industry/compartnership/docs/) • Draft UN Basel PACE Guideline on Environmentally Sound Material Recovery / Recycling of End-of-Life Computing Equipment (coming soon: http://www.basel.int/industry/compartnership/docs/) • Draft UN Basel Technical Guidelines on Transboundary Movement of E-waste, In Particular Regarding the Distinction Between Waste and Non-Waste (v. 22 Sep 2010) (http://www.basel.int/techmatters/index.html)