Premier Farnell targets unregulated e-waste recycling in developing countries
Edited by Suzanne Deffree -- EDN, January 8, 2009
UK-based distributorPremier Farnell plc and its global sister companies, including Newark, have launched an e-waste (electronics-waste) campaign to raise the awareness and tackle the dangers resulting from unregulated recycling of electronics in developing countries.
Premier Farnell says that it is commonplace to heat e-waste over open fires and strip cables and PCBs (printed-circuit boards) in acid baths to extract valuable metals, such as gold, silver, copper, and aluminum. Such actions can release toxins directly into the atmosphere, significantly impacting both the health of the recyclers and the local environment, the company says.
“It is estimated that up to 50 million tons of e-waste is discarded every year, with around 70% reaching Africa, China, and India,” says Caroline Walker, Premier Farnell’s group head of corporate social responsibility and environmental affairs. “Of this [waste], as much as 90% ends up with recyclers that observe no environmental or health standards.”
As part of Premier Farnell’s campaign, the company will lobby governments for the introduction and enforcement of protective legislation, similar to the European Union’s ROHS (restriction-of-hazardous-substances) design-materials regulation and WEEE (waste-electrical-and-electronic-equipment) recycling regulation.
