Reuse - STEP


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		Our Taskforce: ReUse In this Task Force we focus on the development of replicable and sustainable re-use/refurbishment/spare parts development systems in order to minimize environmental, health and safety impacts – especially in industrializing countries. The Goal The goal of Task Force (TF) Reuse is to: Define globally consistent “re-use” practices, principles, and standards for EEE products from B2B and B2C users that are economically, socially, and environmentally appropriate for: a) Changing consumer behaviour to get acceptance for re-use and early product take back (avoiding long storage at consumer site); b) Extending the usage of EEE products and components; c) Reducing the flow of irresponsible re-use between donor and development countries (“sham-re-use”).

Objectives, topics and tasks

Develop a globally consistent definition of "re-use" practices, principles and standards for electrical and electronic equipment (EEE) products from business-to-business (B2B) and business-to-consumer (B2C) users that are economically, socially and environmentally appropriate
Determine how equipment enters the "re-use" category including but not limited to software minimum acceptable specifications, upgradeability, market demand and technology
Assemble a "current-use" practices study for qualifying existing conditions in developed and developing countries
Identify common barriers to product life extension and recommend practices to overcome these
Transboundary shipments: Develop cross-border guidelines for determining when re-use is economically, environmentally and socially favourable to recycling
Develop environmental and business guidelines for equipment recovery (refurbishment and re-use of electrical and electronic equipment and components)
Design a global quality standard for maintaining a level of quality in environmentally sound practices, data privacy and usage extension
Identify holes and weaknesses in current knowledge and develop curricula to increase capacity building for the stakeholders involved