30 Mar 2023
E-Waste
Electrical and electronic equipment when becoming waste (e-waste) such as personal computers, printers, televisions, mobile phones, refrigerators and air-conditioning units is one of the fastest growing waste streams in the world today. E-waste is categorized as hazardous waste due to the presence of toxic materials such as mercury, lead and brominated flame retardants are considered as hazardous waste according to the Basel Convention. E-waste may also contain precious metals such as gold, copper and nickel and rare materials of strategic value such as indium and palladium. These precious and heavy metals could be recovered, recycled and used as valuable source of secondary raw materials. It has been documented that e-wastes are shipped to developing countries where it is often not managed in an environmentally sound manner, thus posing a serious threat to both human health and the environment.
Updates
See all 
16 Jan 2023
The Growing Environmental Risks of E-Waste
17 Oct 2022
Preventing Lead Poisoning from Geneva
22 Jan 2021
Call for projects under the Basel Convention
Organizations
Experts
Andrea Lechner
Andrea Lechner is a Programme Officer at Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions, Governance branch.
Noelia Garcia Nebra
Noelia Garcia Nebra is Head of sustainability at the International Organization for Standardization (ISO).Learning
Publications
