Ross Bartley Environmental Technical Director Bureau of International
Ross Bartley Environmental & Technical Director Bureau of International Recycling (BIR) www. bir. org bir@bir. org
What is BIR and Who are BIR members ? • Created in 1948, registered as International non-profit making trade association under Belgian Law since 1971 • 40 National trade federations from the recycling sector • 725 commercial companies from the recycling sector i. e. – collectors, processors, merchants and traders – consumers – machine and equipment manufacturers • Other bodies and individuals with an interest in international recycling, ex: shipping lines, banks, insurers, … • In 70 countries worldwide
BIR – The gateway to the international recycling business BIR membership spread 2010 2009
Landfill Factory Point of Sale Processing Recycling loop 1 st Life Sorting 2 nd Life Collection Waste Incinerator
2 nd Life Landfill Factory Point of Sale Processing Recycling loop 1 st Life Sorting Collection Waste Incinerator
• E-waste stream in Developing Countries and Countries with Economies in Transition expected to exceed that in Developed Countries by 2016 -2018 (Envt’l Science Technology, Feb. 2010) – Need a globally viable solution • Environmentally Sound Management (ESM) can provide significant global economic and environmental benefits – Legitimate refurbishment and reuse extends the useful life of valuable equipment and helps bridge the digital divide – Proper materials recovery addresses concerns over resource shortages, while also reducing the overall environmental footprint
• Real concerns over illegal shipments and potential environmental and health impacts of informal sector operations • PACE development of Refurbishment and Recycling Guidelines can help set a global standard for ESM • ESM requires combination of high tech and low tech treatment options • Promote globally responsible recycling practices through pilot projects • Regional “hub” approaches and investments with the aim of expanding local and regional capacity to provide ESM • PACE Transboundary Movement Guidelines should recognise the need to facilitate the movement of e-waste to qualified ESM facilities
Environmentally Sound Management Criteria Facility-specific Recommendations … of which … 6. 2. 1 Facilities should ensure measures are in place to demonstrate conformity with the following ESM criteria: I. Top Management Commitment to a Systematic Approach: II. Risk Assessment: III. Risk Prevention and Minimization: IV. Legal Requirements: V. Awareness, Competency and Training: VI. Record-keeping and Performance Measurement: VII. Corrective Action: and VIII. Transparency and Verification. 9
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