Source : http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2010/02/22/ewaste-flooding-developing-countries-unep-warns.html
Desy Nurhayati , The Jakarta Post , Nusa Dua, Bali | Mon, 02/22/2010 9:00 PM | World
Developing countries face serious environmental and health problems from the alarming increase in hazardous waste from electronic devices, a report launched Monday by the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) warned.
The report, “Recycling — From E-waste to Resources”, listed old and dilapidated desktop and laptop computers, printers, mobile phones, pagers, digital photo and music devices, refrigerators, toys and televisions as main sources of waste.
It used data from 11 representative developing countries in Asia, Africa and Latin America to estimate current and future e-waste generation.
“Developing countries will face rising environmental damage and health problems if e-waste recycling is left to the vagaries of the informal sector, unless action is stepped up to properly collect and recycle materials,” said UNEP executive director Achim Steiner.
“It is urgent to establish an ambitious, formal and regulated process for collecting and managing e-waste by setting up large and efficient facilities.
“By acting now and planning forward, many countries can turn an e-challenge into an e-opportunity.”
The report was revealed at the newly opened three-day meeting of the Basel Convention and other world chemical authorities prior to the UNEP Governing Council meeting in Nusa Dua, Bali, later this week.
The report, “Recycling — From E-waste to Resources”, listed old and dilapidated desktop and laptop computers, printers, mobile phones, pagers, digital photo and music devices, refrigerators, toys and televisions as main sources of waste.
It used data from 11 representative developing countries in Asia, Africa and Latin America to estimate current and future e-waste generation.
“Developing countries will face rising environmental damage and health problems if e-waste recycling is left to the vagaries of the informal sector, unless action is stepped up to properly collect and recycle materials,” said UNEP executive director Achim Steiner.
“It is urgent to establish an ambitious, formal and regulated process for collecting and managing e-waste by setting up large and efficient facilities.
“By acting now and planning forward, many countries can turn an e-challenge into an e-opportunity.”
The report was revealed at the newly opened three-day meeting of the Basel Convention and other world chemical authorities prior to the UNEP Governing Council meeting in Nusa Dua, Bali, later this week.
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