BIR Copenhagen 2024 – Programme announcement for EEEVB Committee: The growing end-of-life electronics/batteries challenge: a multifaceted approach for sustainable solutions
Electrics, Electronics and EV Batteries:
The growing end-of-life electronics/batteries challenge: a multifaceted approach for sustainable solutions
The ever-increasing volume of end-of-life electronics/batteries represents a serious challenge. The BIR EEEVB Committee under the chairwomanship of Josephita Harry, Pan American Zinc (USA), delves deep into outlining these challenges while offering possible solutions associated with e-waste management, exploring the issue from statistical, regulatory, and technological perspectives.
The first presentation will be given by Dr. Kees Baldé, a Senior Scientific Specialist from the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR). Dr Baldé will present key findings from the latest Global E-Waste Monitor 2024.
This report sheds light on the alarming rise in e-waste generation, fueled by factors like digital transformation and our growing reliance on electronic devices. He will also address the critical issue of lagging collection and recycling rates, highlighting the vast discrepancy between the amount of e-waste generated and the amount that is actually being responsibly processed. This disconnect underscores the need for immediate and effective action across the entire e-waste management chain.
The conversation then shifts to explore solutions. Mr. Per Hellberg, Industry Sales Manager – Product Area Batteries for Stena Recycling Group, will showcase their company's expertise in the crucial area of EV battery recycling and re-use possibilities.
Focusing on Stena Recycling AB, a company headquartered in Sweden and operating across different European countries, Mr. Hellberg will provide valuable insights into the technological advancements being made within the region. This presentation will demonstrate the potential of the recycling industry to tackle even the most complex waste streams, paving the way for a more sustainable future.
Mr. Federico Zanotti, BIR Trade and Environment Policy Officer, will then delve into the upcoming Basel Convention E-waste amendments. These amendments, set to come into effect in January 2025, will significantly impact the global trade of end-of-life electronics and the recycling industry as a whole.
Mr Zanotti will analyze the implications of these changes, offering valuable guidance on how e-recyclers can best prepare for the evolving regulatory landscape. This presentation underscores the importance of adaptation and preparedness within the industry to ensure compliance with future regulations.
The final speaker, Mr. Ben László, Business Development Manager at KUUSAKOSKI Recycling in Finland will showcase their end-to-end solutions for economic circularity. By taking his company’s success story as example, Mr László will highlight the critical role that technological advancements can play in optimizing the recycling process.
This presentation will emphasize the importance of efficient and sustainable methods for the recovery of valuable materials from complex electronic devices.
Beyond these key elements, the discussion will also emphasize the importance of promoting free and fair trade in end-of-life electronics/batteries. By fostering a global system that facilitates the efficient movement of e-waste to appropriate recycling facilities, it can be ensured that these valuable and complex materials are recovered and reused, preventing them from being dumped in landfills and posing a threat to our environment. Ultimately, this multifaceted approach holds the key to overcoming the end-of-life electronics/batteries challenge and promoting a sustainable circular economy for electronic devices.
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