Premier Farnell targets dangers of unregulated e-waste recycling in developing countries

The electronics supply chain company will lead investment and lobbying initiatives to reduce the health and environmental impact of electronic-waste recycling.

By Suzanne Deffree, Managing Editor, News -- Electronic News, 11/21/2008

UK-based distributor Premier Farnell plc has launched an electronics waste (e-waste) campaign to raise the awareness and tackle the dangers resulting from unregulated recycling of electronics in developing countries.

Premier Farnell explained that in order to extract valuable metals such as gold, silver, copper, and aluminum, e-waste is heated over open fires and the stripping of cables and PCBs in acid baths is commonplace. Such actions can release arsenic, chromium, lead, mercury, and other toxins directly into the atmosphere, with significant impact on both the health of those recycling the e-waste and the local environment, the company said.

“It is estimated that up to 50 million tons of e-waste is discarded every year, with around 70% reaching Africa, China, and India," Caroline Walker (pictured), Premier Farnell’s group head of CSR and environmental affairs, said in a statement. "Of this, as much as 90% ends up with recyclers that observe no environmental or health standards. In India alone we believe that up to five million people – many of them children and the majority with little or no protection – are involved in this harmful trade. Millions more are affected in Africa and China.”

Premier Farnell's campaign aims to reduce the impact of electronic product recycling on both human health and the environment. To do so, the company will make direct investment in programs to educate children in India regarding the health risks associated with unregulated e-waste recycling; lobby governments for the introduction and enforcement of protective legislation, similar to the European Union's ROHS materials regulation and WEEE recycling regulation; and create a trust that can invest funds into relevant projects.

The electronics supply chain company is doing so through its global businesses: Farnell in the UK, India, Europe, Australia, and New Zealand; Newark in the US, Canada, and Mexico; Premier Electronics in China; and Farnell Newark in Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong, and Brazil.

“As an industry we have a responsibility to do something to address the problems associated with this unregulated recycling of waste in developing countries," Harriett Green, Premier Farnell’s CEO, said in the statement. "Through the establishment of a dedicated charity and working closely with colleagues and experts in India we want to demonstrate our commitment to helping our industry address this serious issue.”

Premier Farnell is also encouraging all members of the electronics supply chain to sign a pledge promising to use their influence to address unregulated e-waste recycling in developing countries.