e-waste

The U.S.-China Green Electronics Competition was announced earlier this week to raise awareness of the harmful effects on human and environmental health when e-waste is not properly handled and recycled.

Surveys show that price and performance are still the most important consumer criteria when selecting a mobile device.¹ However, increasing commoditization coupled with growing environmental concerns are placing sustainability front and center among considerations for manufacturers that hope to differentiate their products and demonstrate good corporate stewardship.

A new research report from Marketsandmarket, Global E-Waste Management Market (2011-2016), has reported that global e-waste volume is expected to reach 93.5 million tons in 2016. This is an increase from 41.5 million tons in 2011 – a compound annual growth rate of 17.6%.

A study to develop plans and costs for creating e-waste material recovery facilities in the BIMP-EAGA countries will be undertaken by the environment and ICT clusters of the BIMP-EAGA.

The IEC announced the release of a technical specification that covers critical aspects of external chargers for notebook computers, connector and plug, and safety, interoperability, performance and environmental concerns.

A report released by the Solving the E-Waste Problem (StEP) details the growth of e-waste will come from emerging economies instead of from the West for the first time.

The Countering WEEE Illegal Trade (CWIT) project was launched by the international policing organization to focus on illegal waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) trade and the increasing threat to global environmental health and security.

The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) is preparing businesses for upcoming changes to the WEEE System and guidance on how these new regulations will apply and what businesses will need to do to meet their obligations. The new regulations are scheduled to be in effect on January 1, 2014.