This is one of the most complex and also fastest growing waste flows globally. Most WEEE is currently treated by inadequate processes in the informal sector. While providing workers in this sector a livelihood, professionalizing this sector will give major benefits: avoiding human and terrestrial toxic effects (now occurring e.g. via open burning of WEEE), recovery of critical and bulk materials for re-use, and high carbon benefits by avoiding primary production of such materials.

The overall development objective of the program is to develop framework conditions that enable the implementation of sustainable re-use and recycling of WEEE practices in SECO partner countries.

The programme is focusing on four elements: i) development of an adequate legislative, policy and institutional framework- ii) clear normative requirements and verification/enforcement mechanisms ensuring a level playing field- iii) an appropriate, professionally functioning collection and treatment (including re-use and recycling technology), and iv) statistics and monitoring. Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) will be the overarching concept guiding work on these elements.

Outcome 1: Appropriate Institutional, Policy and Legislative Framework for E-Waste.

Outcome 2: Clear normative requirements and verification/enforcement mechanisms.

Outcome 3: Professionally functioning collection and treatment system supported by businesses and consumers.

Outcomes 4: Adequate monitoring of the EEE value and waste chain.

Outcomes 5: CEI concepts and methods are strengthened in exchange with the international community of practice and have proliferated as global public goods

Expected results:  

A national e-waste policy has been developed that provides guidance on how to deal with e-waste & sets country’s direction.

The process for adoption of relevant legislation, including an EPR scheme is launched for WEEE.

Environmental regulations exist that outline minimum standards and targets for recycling and treatment, and minimum social standards protect workers

Conformity assessment schemes and verification procedures are established

Independent auditing/ enforcement bodies including their financing and training are outlined

Auditing/enforcement is tested in pilots

Supported by the legislative and financial (EPR) framework, the formal sector frontrunners take the lead in recycling and treatment of e-waste

A national trainee program for e-waste is implemented and technical as well as commercial expertise for recycling businesses has been improved

Import and production statistics can be used as a basis for EPR fund raising

Project results are disseminated

Results from previous phases:  

SECO has supported partners in the Global South to spearhead the necessary transition in the area of e-waste. This was done via two subsequent "Sustainable Recycling Industries" (SRI) programmes from 2014-2018, and 2019-2023. These programmes focused on Peru, Colombia, Ghana, Egypt and South Africa. Thanks to the support, Colombia and Peru now have a functioning e-waste management system in place. While they hence made an orderly exit. In Egypt, Ghana and South Africa, support was shorter and major elements of the e-waste management system are in process but not yet fully secured.