Mobile phones, computers, TVs – we like them but where do they go when we are finished with them? In the worst case they can be dismantled by ha
nd for scrap by children in developing countries. This can expose them to potentially fatal chemicals. New legislation aims to toughen existing rules on collection and treatment so that within six years 85% of all waste will be recovered and treated. Environment Committee MEPs backed the proposals on 22 June.
This type of waste is one of the fastest growing waste streams in the EU (over 8 million tonnes and growing) and poses a series of challenges such as health problems if the waste is not properly treated and a loss of raw materials if there is no recycling.
Rapporteur Karl-Heinz Florenz of the centre right European People’s Party told us, “we lose a lot of raw material because a lot of electronic waste is illegally shipped out of Europe. For example, 1 million mobiles contain: 250 kg silver, 24 kg gold, 9 kg palladium, and 9 tonnes of copper”.
According to national reports, only 33% of the waste is currently collected and properly treated.