- StEP and Basel Convention’s PACE to increase e-waste cooperation

In joint meetings on 1st Febr. 2010 and 4th Febr. 2010 the Solving the E-waste Problem (StEP) Initiative and Basel Convention’s Partnership for Computing Equipment (PACE) agreed to further strengthen its e-waste related cooperation and harmonization of activities. Some more than 50 representatives from parties of the Basel Convention, Basel Convention Regional Centres, other UN organizations such as UNEP, UNDP and UNIDO, Original Equipment Manufacturers, Recyclers, Refurbishers, Associations, NGOs and Academia mapped ongoing work and discussed future strategies and project on Policies, ReDesign, ReUse, ReCycle and Capacity Building at the UNU in Bonn (Germany). Based on a Memorandum of Understanding signed between the Secretariats of StEP and the Basel Convention in late 2008, joint events, the development of pilot projects in developing countries and economies in transition, trainings for various actors groups, the creation of e-waste curricula and an assessment of present e-waste policies in place are among those activities identified. StEP’s approach of providing science-based but nevertheless applied recommendations to the international policy making were applauded by the PACE members as an invaluable contribution to a sustainable solution of the still increasing e-waste problem.

Contact:
info at step-initiative dot org

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