StEP

Posted on 04/02/2010

Olivier Vanden Eynde, general manager of Close the Gap Int. attended the Open Meeting of STEP in Bonn, Germany on February 4th 2010.

The objective of the 3rd annual StEP Open Meeting was to discuss ways to strengthen the cooperation of various UN organizations. It was not solely focussed on information sharing, but rather more about concrete cooperative work between UNU, UNEP, SBC, UNIDO, UNCTAD, OEMs, Recyclers, Refurbishers, Governments, Academia, and NGO’s. Participation was limited to StEP Members and invitees only. Close the Gap Int. was one of the invitees and is considering becoming an associate member of StEP. Olivier represented the standpoint of non-profit ICT 4 Development refurbishing organisations. The meeting was very interesting for Olivier to share the actual process on the East-African Recycling Centre Close the Gap is initiating. Olivier also discussed the process of this endeavour with Umicore, Philips, Empa, UNIDO and representatives of various African nations.

StEP is an initiative of various UN organizations with the overall aim to solve the e-waste problem. Together with prominent members from industry, governments, international organizations, NGOs and the science sector actively participating in StEP, they initiate and facilitate approaches towards the sustainable handling of e-waste. In five Task Forces, feasible and environmentally safe solutions for the e-waste problem are developed.

The 5 step principles are as follows :

1. StEP’s work is founded on scientific assessments and incorporates a comprehensive view of the social, environmental and economic aspects of e-waste.
2. StEP conducts research on the entire life-cycle of electronic and electrical equipment and their corresponding global supply, process and material flows.
3. StEP’s research and pilot projects are meant to contribute to the solution of e-waste problems.
4. StEP condemns all illegal activities related to e-waste including illegal shipments and reuse/ recycling practices that are harmful to the environment and human health.
5. StEP seeks to foster safe and eco/energy-efficient reuse and recycling practices around the globe in a socially responsible manner

More information on: http://www.step-initiative.org/

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