West African nations pay a price for EU e-waste

Euractiv reported in March 2012 on a UNEP study ‘Where are WEEE in Africa'.

The report suggested that although Europeans are barred from exporting hazardous electronic waste to other countries, yet research showed there is a flourishing export market of such junk to Africa. Efforts were underway to strengthen the EU’s rules – the Waste Electronic and Electrical Equipment Directive (WEEE)– on disposal of old appliances, televisions, mobile telephones and computers.

• Primary Source

UNEP: Press Release, 13.3.12: E-waste in Africa, Challenges and Opportunities http://www.unep.org/newscentre/Default.aspx?DocumentID=2676&ArticleID=9077&l=en

ESO: Background information: MEPs approve tougher rules on electronic waste http://www.europeansources.info/record/meps-approve-tougher-rules-on-electronic-waste/

ESO: Background information: Waste without borders in the EU? Transboundary shipments of waste http://www.europeansources.info/record/waste-without-borders-in-the-eu-transboundary-shipments-of-waste/

PC Advisor, 21.2.12: West Africa faces increase in e-waste, UN says http://www.pcadvisor.co.uk/news/green-computing/3339126/west-africa-faces-increase-in-e-waste-un-says/

European Parliament: OEIL: Waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) http://www.europarl.europa.eu/oeil/popups/ficheprocedure.do?reference=2008/0241(COD)&l=en

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