CONFERENCE REPORT
27recyclinginternational.com | January/February | 2023
with all the players involved to see
what rules apply.’
This collaborative approach has been
at the centre of the Basel Convention,
which Yohannes says is based on
‘interim criteria’ where clearly defined
rules do not yet exist. Specifications
are ‘quickly evolving’, along with
industry developments and new tech-
nologies. As a result of ongoing dis-
cussions, she believes the definition of
‘what is waste?’ will be updated again
soon.
DATA IS KEY
One solution could be the GPS track-
ing software from Upgrade Stations,
based in Philadelphia. It gives detailed
product specifications and the history
of who produced it, where and when
it was sold and if it has been repaired.
Knowing this, ‘maximises the chances
of us being able to refurbish and resell
it rather than throw it in the shredder,’
says co-founder and company director
Shang Celsius, whom I met in New
Orleans.
‘My team is all about delivering a sus-
tainable solution today that has value
for a long time,’ the entrepreneur says
with a confident smile. He demon-
strates the software by having me
scan with my phone a QR code on a
device. Promptly, product information
appears on his laptop.
‘We want to grow with the data we
acquire so that once it’s gone from
the device, we can still run tests and
improve our grading system,’ Shang
explains. ‘A lot of the products that
reach us do pass and can get a sec-
ond life. Even if the entire product
cannot be salvaged, many of its com-
ponents can be. So, it’s never a total
loss!’
MATERIALS OVERLAP
Jim Puckett of the Basel Action
Network activist group underscores
‘important work’ being done to com-
plete the e-waste amendment. This
follows the previous (2021) amend-
ment regarding plastics. ‘The new
rules on plastic waste trade could
inspire the next chapter of e-waste
trade,’ he says. With plenty of plastics
present in the used electronics stream,
‘there is material overlap.’
The Basel Convention doesn’t yet deal
with the various additives used in
plastics, such as phalates, plasticisers
and brominated flame retardants.
‘Many of these are used in electronics
and are considered hazardous,’
Puckett adds. ‘This will likely have
consequences for e-waste processing
and trade as well.’
Plastic types that aren’t specifically
hazardous but are known to cause
problems are now listed in a dedicat-
ed annex of the convention. ‘People
simply need guidance and control in
order to do better,’ Puckett asserts.
‘Future rules on e-waste may be writ-
ten using the same principle. I also
Fotobijschrift
KADERKOP
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‘In future, US electronics recyclers will have to be more careful who they do business with,’ according to Liabeth Yohannes.
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