Sustainable Recycling Industries Phase II


With the growth of the global economy and the digitalization of today's businesses and society, electrical and electronic equipment has become more affordable and in combination with short usage times of the devices Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE or e-waste) has become the fastest growing waste stream worldwide.

Country/region Period Budget
Colombia
Egypt
Ghana
Global
Peru
South Africa
01.01.2019 - 31.12.2025
CHF  11’000’000
Background

Due to the presence of toxic substances in many products on the one hand, inappropriately managed e-waste can cause health risks and environmental damage. On the other hand, e-waste also contains valuable materials, such as metals, and is therefore an important source for secondary raw materials. Industrialized countries have regulated e-waste management based on the principle of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR). This has led to the establishment of take-back schemes and the growth and professionalization of an e-waste recycling industry.

Objectives

The overall development objective of the programme is that favourable framework conditions enable the development of a sustainable recycling industry for e-waste and related waste streams in SECO partner countries.

The programme is focusing on

- governance and technology aspects that allow for an optimal recovery of secondary raw materials and the safe management of hazardous substances

- leveraging the concept of a circular economy and contributing to actions on climate change mitigation through a reintegration of secondary raw materials into industrial processes

- maximizing and measuring the positive impact of the programme, metrics for sustainability and the environmental benefits of implemented changes will be developed and applied.

Medium-term outcomes

Outcome 1: An adequate policy and legislative framework enables the implementation of a sustainable e-waste management system.

Outcome 2: Normative requirements and performance measure ensure a level playing field.

Outcome 3: Optimized and sustainable value chains and skilled businesses advance the professionalization of the recycling industry.

Outcome 4: Locally adapted concepts provide solutions for the safe treatment of hazardous waste fractions.

Outcome 5: SRI concepts and methods are strengthened in exchange with the international community of practice and have proliferated globally.

Results

Expected results:  

A national e-waste policy has been developed and a political process for the adoption of a respective legislation has been started.

Institutional capacities for the implementation and enforcement are strengthened and stakeholders’ responsibilities are defined.

Technical implementation documents and science based national (recycling) targets are developed.

Implementation and enforcement processes are defined.

Normative requirement are defined.

Assurance systems and verification procedures are established.

Independent auditing bodies are formed and trained.

The normative requirements and related assurance systems are tested through pilots.

A national trainee program for e-waste is implemented.

Incentives programmes are available to promote innovative businesses, such as incubators and start-ups.

The IWA 19 "Guidance Principles for the sustainable management of Secondary Metals" is transferred into an official ISO standard.


Results from previous phases:  

The first phase of the "Sustainable Recycling Industries" SRI programme (2014-2018), enabled Egypt, Ghana, India, Peru, Colombia and South Africa to obtain and develop appropriate instruments and guidance for environmentally and socially responsible e-waste management systems.

In Colombia and Peru, SRI activities contributed to the adoption of Extended Producer Responisbility IERP) and the formation of take back schemes.

In Egypt SRI activities supported the initiation of a legislative process, the development of technical standards and the training of auditors. Furthermore, the activities contributed to the development of an e-waste management ecosystem. In Ghana, SRI contributed to the adoption of mandatory technical guidelines as well as to the introduction of a conformity assessment and monitoring system.


Directorate/federal office responsible SECO
Credit area Development cooperation
Budget Current phase Swiss budget CHF    11’000’000 Swiss disbursement to date CHF    0 Budget inclusive project partner CHF    6’500’000
Project phases Phase 2 01.01.2019 - 31.12.2025   (Current phase) Phase 1 01.01.2011 - 30.06.2018   (Completed)