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Partnerships between the informal and the formal sector for sustainable e-waste management

The Step Inititiative - Always stay informed

Date: 14th July 2020
Time: 2:00-3:30 pm CEST
(Central European Summer Time)

Due to rising prosperity and increased consumption worldwide, more and more waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE or e-waste) is being generated worldwide. The informal sector plays a significant role in the collection and management of e-waste, particularly in low and middle-income countries. While they provide a livelihood for many and contribute to high collection rates in many countries, the sub-standard recycling processes used in the informal sector also pose a major risk to human health and the environment, as well as the loss of valuable and scarce materials. Partnerships between the informal and formal sector can help to improve the conditions of e-waste management, building on the respective strengths of each sector, and providing a transition pathway from informal to formal operations.

A StEP working group looked into different approaches to and case studies on current informal-formal partnership models in different countries across the world. During the webinar the paper developed by the group will be presented as well as two case studies.

View paper


AGENDA

1. Introduction and insights from StEP paper (Daniel Hinchliffe, GIZ - 20 mins)
2. Cooperation as a Producer Responsibility Organisation with Traperos de Emaús Trujillo in Peru (Daniel Ott, Reverse Logistics Group (RLG) – 15 mins)
3. Outreach to the informal sector as a formal recycler in Nigeria (Adrian Clews, Hinckley Recycling – 15 mins)
4. Subcontracting and Informal Sector Enterprise Development in South Africa (Giulio Airaga, Desco Electronics Recyclers – 15 mins)
5. Discussion on examples, relevance for other contexts, next steps (25 mins)

 

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