Solving the e-waste problem
Solving the E-waste Problem ( StEP ) is an international initiative. It includes a number of key players in the manufacturing, reuse, recycling of electrical and electronic equipment, as well as government and international organizations; three UN organizations offer themselves together as a platform for the StEP initiative. StEP endeavors to ensure that the stakeholders concerned work together in the field of electronic scrap , whereby great value is placed on holistic solutions.
history
After a three-year start-up phase, launched by the United Nations University , promotion team wetzlar and Hewlett-Packard , the StEP initiative was officially founded in March 2007. Its members are UN organizations, political institutions and representatives from business and research who deal with the multifaceted problems surrounding electrical and electronic waste.
Goals and means
"One of the most important goals of the StEP initiative is the definition of global guidelines for the processing of electronic scrap as well as the promotion of the sustainable recovery of raw materials."
The initiative consists of cooperating working groups (called task forces) with specific subject areas. One focus of the work is the cooperation with government bodies in order to convert the results of the research into practical solutions. The StEP initiative is coordinated by the United Nations research arm, the United Nations University (UNU).
The medium-term goal of StEP "is - based on scientific analyzes - a globally accepted standard for the processing and avoidance of electronic scrap waste, also in order to contain the risks to people and the environment resulting from inadequate backyard practices." (Rüdiger Kühr, Executive Secretary of the StEP Initiative) Um To achieve this goal, StEP endeavors to develop and implement specific projects from interdisciplinary dialogues. In this way, sustainable solutions are developed that reduce environmental risks, increase resource and energy efficiency and enable development.
The organization of the initiative
The highest body of the initiative is the General Assembly, which decides on the direction of the initiative. This General Assembly is based on a Memorandum of Understanding signed by all members, which sets out the principles of the initiative. A secretariat at the UNU in Bonn is entrusted with the daily tasks of the initiative. A “Steering Committee” made up of representatives from the most important interest groups oversees the progress of StEP.
The core of the initiative are the five Task Forces (TF): “Policy”, “ReDesign”, “ReUse”, “Recycling” and “Capacity Development”. These task forces deal with research and analysis on the topic and the implementation of projects.
TF 1- Policy: The aim of this task force is to determine the current situation and analyze current solutions and measures in relation to electrical and electronic scrap. Based on these analyzes, recommendations for future regulatory activities are to be made.
TF2 - ReDesign: This task force deals with the development of electrical and electronic devices. Particular emphasis is placed on reducing the negative effects of these devices over their entire life cycle. The situation in developing countries is also taken into account.
TF3 - ReUse: The focus of this task force is on the development of sustainable, transferable principles and standards for reuse.
TF4 - Recycling: The task of this task force is to improve infrastructures, systems and technologies for sustainable recycling.
TF5 - Capacity Building: The first goal of this task force is to make the public aware of the problem of electrical and electronic waste . This is to be achieved by making the knowledge obtained by the task forces, but also by other actors in this area, generally accessible. The task force develops and bases its work on networks, the Internet and online tools that enable collaborative work.
Guiding principles:
The guiding principles in the work of the StEP Initiative are as follows:
1. StEP bases its work on scientific knowledge and takes into account the social, ecological and economic aspects of the electronic waste problem.
2. StEP examines the entire life cycle of electrical and electronic devices. This includes their worldwide delivery, processing and global material flows.
3. StEP's investigations and pilot projects are intended to help develop solutions to the e-waste problem.
4. StEP condemns all unlawful acts, including unlawful cross-border shipments of electronic waste as well as reuse or recycling processes, which are harmful to the environment or human health.
5. StEP wants to promote safe, environmentally friendly and energy-efficient reuse and recycling processes worldwide, which also meet their social responsibility.