Wednesday, 7th March 2007 (4106 views)

A new global public-private initiative has been launched to help unionise the worldwide recycling of valuable parts and metals from electrical and electronic scrap (e-scrap).

Huge volumes of electronic goods from western countries, including mp3 players, televisions, batteries, plugs and computers, are being dumped each year across the globe, although most are not recycled to obtain the valuable parts they contain.

Precious metals such as gold, silver and palladium can be found in most electronic goods, having become invaluable over recent years.

However, a new initiative – Solving the E-Waste Problem (StEP) is being launched by several hi-tech organisations and governmental organisations to help combat the waste and misuse of the metals.

"There's more than gold in those mountains of hi-tech scrap," says Ruediger Kuehr of the United Nations University.

"This partnership is committed to salvaging these increasingly precious resources and preventing them from fouling the environment."

The initiative hopes to bring together manufacturers and designers to provide longer lasting equipment and be able to deal with the scrap already created.

 

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