EwasteR Project

Sector Skills Alliance

The WEEE Recycling and Re-use Management Practices in Europe

Trends, Figures, Stakeholders and Qualification Frameworks

REPORT

Executive Summary

United Kingdom

Karl Williams

kswilliams@uclan.ac.uk

www.uclan.ac.uk

Ed Tombs

vj@lcrn.org.uk

lcrn.org.uk/

Chris James

chris.james@wamitab.org.uk

www.wamitab.org.uk

Table of Contents

Background to the report and study

Methodology

E.U. waste management policies

E. waste volumes and treatment

Collection and management of WEEE by partners

Potential for vocational and educational training

Development of Knowledge, skills and competencies

Interim findings

Recommendations

Background to the report and study

The importance of waste electronics as a valuable resource is well recognised.

This project recognises the evolution of the waste sector and the “new generation” of

waste management facilities

the development of highly technical worksites

the implementation of innovative solutions to deal with specific “wastes”

the increasing number of processes on individual sites

The project aims to develop a common harmonised professional transferable

qualification.

This will be achieved by the provision of a platform for both vocational and

educational training

Methodology

Each partner will:

Collate and report legislative impacts at both national and region level

Give a breakdown of the types of WEEE arising and the volumes of the waste

Carry out an initial investigation as to the elements of effective E waste

management within their region

Provide an overview of the impacts on the management of WEEE within both the

private and public sectors

Identify the currently available vocational and educational training available within

their region

Establish if the training on offer is specific and applicable to the waste electronic

and electrical sector

E.U. Waste Management Policies

Reduce the environmental and health impacts of waste and improve

Europe’s resource efficiency

Turn Europe into a recycling society

Avoid waste and use unavoidable waste as a resource wherever

possible

Minimise the extraction of additional natural resources

Education, training and skills development are the key element to

ensuring resource efficiency and the sustainable growth of European

economies

Rationale

Electrical and electronic equipment waste (WEEE) poses on the one hand arisk to the environment (hazardous components), on the other hand it has ahigh potential for recycling to replace raw materials by secondary rawmaterials, such as precious metals and other highly valuable special materials

EU legislation promoting the collection and recycling of such equipment(Directive 2002/96/EC on WEEE) has been in force since February 2003. Thelegislation provides for the creation of collection schemes where consumersreturn their used waste equipment free of charge.

The objective of these schemes is to increase the recycling and/or re-use ofsuch products and was recast and updated with the WEEE Directive2012/19/EU

The importance of WEEE as a valuable resource is well recognised. There is aneed to develop a workforce with the operational capabilities and knowledgeto meet this demand.

Existing national qualifications and training to deal with this are limited.Environmental Data Centre EU Stats 2016

PROJECT AIMS

To develop a common, harmonised professional qualification and

relevant training to meet the demand on waste electrical and

electronic equipment industry.

The project will also establish the elements that make up current

good practice both legislative and treatment by waste type.

It will establish the existence of any current vocational and

educational programmes directed towards WEEE

The partners will also jointly develop a curriculum and pilot the

resulting training programme

To react to the steadily increasing and more technically adept work

force in waste management

E.U graph showing increase

in waste sector jobs

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Waste management

Overview of EEE in the European Union

Today’s consumer society acquires and disposes of large amounts

of electrical and electronic equipment every year.

2012 data shows EEE put on the market at 9.1 million tonnes

around 19kg/person

Figures show a decrease of 1.1 million tonnes on the 2008 totals

due to global and economic slowdown.

Large household appliances dominated sales in all member states

IT and telecommunication equipment was second most important

Overview of WEEE in member states

Separate collection of WEEE has grown steadily over the period 2007 to

2011

In 2012 3.5 million tonnes were collected separately within the E.U.

New E.U. regulations will come into force 2016 requiring recovery and

recycling targets to reach 45%

Increase in the volumes of WEEE and demand for raw materials will

create increased demand for WEEE treatment

Opportunities will increase for employment and the requirement of

trained personnel to manage and move WEEE up the value chain

Policy Framework for e-waste

management Management of WEEE currently governed by E.U. Directive 2012/19/EU

To prevent electrical and electronic equipment waste

To foster the reuse, recycling and recovery of WEEE

To put a greater emphasis on developing greater environmental

efficiency

To decrease the use of dangerous substances in electrical and electronic

equipment

Each partner country has adopted the Directive and has transposed it

into national law and regulations

These vary from country to country

EEE and WEEE treatment across the E.U.

(28)

Eurostat data 2015

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WEEE Type

Cyprus

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Italy

EEE “put on the market” for Partner

Region 2013 (EU28)

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Poland

EEE “put on the market” for Partner

Region 2013 (EU28)

Eurostat data 2015

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Largehouseholdappliances

Smallhouseholdappliances

IT andtelecommsequipment

Consumerequipment

Lightingequipment

Electrical andelectronic tools

Toys Leisureand sports

Medical devices Monitoring andcontrol

equipment

Automaticdispensers

Tonnes

WEEE Type

Products put on Market normalised against Population

Cyprus Italy Poland UK

Collection of WEEE (Cyprus)

Electrocyclosis Cyprus Ltd - only one specialist company (Compliance Scheme)

Obligations are mostly companies importing Electrical and Electronic Equipment into

the Republic.

Cooperation with Green Dot and Teklima

Traditional treatment through ELV facilities and scrap yards

Collection points – municipal areas, retailers, shops and scrap yards

Refrigeration and de-gassing, luminaires exported for treatment

Challenges

export issues

decontamination

storage, and

H&S issues

Cyprus’ Organisational Approach

Collection of WEEE (Italy)

WEEElogic and RAEcycle the two largest operational compliance schemes

Recognition of both informal and formal collection systems

Formal system represents only 44% of WEEE collected

Main collection through four principle routes

retailers

households

public bodies

companies

Household and retail WEEE goes to Municipal Collection Centres

Challenges

The majority of WEEE collection is mostly dealt with by scrap dealers and re-furbishers

Currently there are only a few stakeholders who can influence the whole chain

Italy’s Organisational Approach

Collection of WEEE (Poland)

Obligated companies must register with GeneralInspectorate for Environmental Protection

Thirteen thousand three hundred and thirty WEEE collectingentities

One hundred and eighty treatment facilities

One hundred and twenty recycling facilities

Fourteen processors of WEEE other than recycling

Eight WEEE management subcontractors

Challenges

WEEE recycling market is recognised as very fragmented

PRODUCER

EEE RECOVERY

ORGANIZATION

MUNICIPAL AND OTHER

PUBLIC COLLCTION POINTS

SCRAP YARDS

SERVICING POINTS

COLLECTOR

TREATMENT

COMPANY RETAILER

WHOLESALER

CONSUMER

RECYCLER

EEE flow WEEE flow money flow

Poland’s Organisational Approach

Collection of WEEE (UK)

Repic is the largest of 29 WEEE producer compliance

schemes in the UK

Formal collection through Approved Authorised

Treatment Facilities (AATF’s)

Designated Collection Facilities (DCF’s) –HWRC’s

Skills include understanding Code of Practice for the

collection of WEEE from DCF’s

Challenges

Informal sector is recognised but operates illegally

Some leakage due to value of materials i.e. scrap

UK’s Organisational Approach

McDonnell & Williams 2010

Lifecycle phases of EEE

• A study of the life cycle phases of EEE was carried out

• All results were tabulated and compared to find the

major players and influencers on the recycling and

reuse systems in opera

• The report considered all the:-

• major stakeholder groups

• networks and chains

• recycling and reuse operations

• Collection and collection operations were identified

• Sorting and labelling operations were identified

• Repair and refurbishment organisations and operations

• Dismantlers and processing operations

• The final element being the producers and production

side

Raw Material

ExtractionProduction

Use

Disposal

Collection

by LA,

producer or

taken to

HWRC

Collection

sorting and

labelling

Dismantling

and

processing

Traceability

and

Reporting

Production of

recycled raw

materials Life Cycle

Phases of

WEEE

Within EEE Life

Cycle

Within WEEE Life

Cycle

Potential for Vocational and Educational

Training

In depth study was carried out to identify current training and vocational

opportunities for the developing WEEE economy

All partner countries found no formal dedicated route for training WEEE waste

specialists

Italy – Certificate in Management of Waste that can include elements of WEEE

management

U.K. – Diploma in Recycling Activities again can include elements of WEEE, M.Sc.

level in waste management – no focus on WEEE

Poland – High level post graduate studies in Waste Management no specific

reference to WEEE

Cyprus – expecting a plan by 2018 to fully implement NQF for validating non-formal

and informal learning

The E-Waste recycling and reuse

management: skills development

Section describes in detail each partners contribution to the following topics

Collection of WEEE for recycling, reuse and repair

Management of WEEE recycling and reuse

Redistribution and remarketing

WEEE treatment and recycling

WEEE refurbishment and repair

WEEE deconstruction for reuse

All major stakeholders were identified and any possible qualification and skill

sets available

The following two slides give an example of the identified requirements for

the ‘Collection of WEEE for Recycling, Reuse and Repair’

CURRICULUM

Area of Activity Title COLLECTION OF WEEE FOR RECYCLING, REUSE AND REPAIR

Area of Activity General

Description

• Collection of end-of-life electrical and electronic equipment, including transfer to treatment/disposal sites, import/export

• Recycling: reprocessing in a production process of the waste materials for the original purpose or for other purposes, but excluding energy recovery. (art. 3, e) WEEE Directive

• Repair: fixing of specified faults in a EE product

“EwasteR Profile” "E-Waste Re-use and Recyling Specialist"

Partner Countries Italy United Kingdom Poland CyprusFinalisation

(Common and most relevant elements)

Knowledge

1. Techniques for collection of

WEEE for recycling reuse and

repair,

2. WEEE collection systems for

managing with recycling reuse

and repair processes and

stakeholders,

3. Local systems for WEEE

collection and transfer to

treatment/disposal sites,

4. Budgeting techniques

(costs/benefits analysis) of the

WEEE collection system for

recycling and reuse:

industrial/household,

5. Characteristics and classification

of WEEE for recycling reuse and

repair (EU/National legislation),

6. EU/National legislation forhealth and safe.

1. Logistics and collectionschedules,

2. Compliance Understanding,3. Triage processing for re-use

and recycling,4. DCF (Designated Collection

Facility) organisation andrunning,

5. Procedure for sorting andclassifying items for recycling,reuse and repair

1. Knowledge of differentlogistics models used for e-waste collection,

2. Understanding of differentmodels of stock keeping andplanning purchases and sales,

3. In depth knowledge howmachinery works andunderstanding different waysof planning the outline ofmachinery location in theplant,

4. Knowledge in methods ofplanning business andproduction processes,

5. Methods of compensating andmotivating industrial workers,

6. In depth knowledge offundamental e-wasteprocesses and understandhow they work,

7. Methods of giving instructionsfor workers and ways ofexecuting tasks,

8. Fundamental requirements forsafety at workplace

1. Knowledge ofEU/National legislationfor WEEE and for healthand safety,

2. Knowledge for Healthand Safety

3. Knowledge of logistics /procedures that are usedfor the collection WEEE,

4. Understanding thelogistics, required forbuilding a successfulmodel,

5. Understanding thedifferent methodologiesfor stock keeping andsorting, planningpurchases and sales ofWEEE,

6. Procedure for sortingand classifying items forrecycling, reuse andrepair,

1. Knowledge of EU/National legislation for WEEEand for health and safety,

2. Knowledge for Health and Safety,3. Understanding the different methodologies for

stock keeping and sorting, planning purchasesand sales of WEEE,

4. Procedure for sorting and classifying items forrecycling, reuse and repair,

5. Local systems for WEEE collection and transfer

to treatment/disposal sites

Skills

1. Interact with private and public

stakeholders to generate a

sustainable system for WEEE

collection (recycling reuse and

repair)

2. Interact with the WEEE

collection systems (official) to

reinforce and plan their transfer

to recycling, reuse and repair

sectors.

3. Identify the most sustainable

methods for WEEE collection:

household / industrial

4. Identify the correct channels

and systems for the WEEE

collected (units and

components) to recycling, reuse

and repair.

5. Coordinate the operators and

activities of the WEEE collection

systems.

1. Organise logistics associatedwith WEEE

2. Utilise manual handlingtechniques for loading andtransporting WEEE inaccordance with organisationalprocedures

3. Provide advice on unwanted orbroken WEEE

4. Identify reusable WEEE5. Implement customer

relationship managementprocedures in accordance withorganisational procedures

1. Is able to design logistics planfor collection of e-waste,

2. Can prepare the plans ofkeeping stocks and preparedecisions on transport andexpenditures

3. Is able to design the storageand machinery location in theplant and organize workplaces

4. Can explain workers ofstorage how machinery worksand give work instructions

5. Can recruit, employ andcompensate workers

6. Is able to execute safety atworkplaces

7. Can prepare and executeproduction plans

1. Book keeping of WEEEstocks and prepare / planon transport andexpenditures,

2. Organise logisticsassociated with WEEE,

3. Develop manual handlingtechniques for loadingand transporting WEEE,

4. Coordinate and Invigilatethe operations andactivities of the WEEEcollection systems,

5. Supervise thestakeholder relationshipmanagement procedureswith National Legislation.

1. Organise logistics associated with WEEE2. Utilise manual handling techniques for loading

and transporting WEEE in accordance withorganisational procedures

3. Provide advice on unwanted or broken WEEE4. Identify reusable WEEE5. Develop manual handling techniques for loading

and transporting WEEE,6. Coordinate and Invigilate the operations and

activities of the WEEE collection systems.

Competencies

Manage and coordinate of the entireWEEE collection systems in order totransfer the WEEE collected to thecorrect recycling, reuse and repairchannels (in accordance withEU/National legislation).

1. Minimise leakage of WEEE2. Increase quantity and quality of

WEEE

1. Assists workers with advice and personal example on the work issues

2. Presents high responsibility and accountability levels

1. Organise the WEEE collection system in order to transfer the material collected to the correct stakeholder,

2. Increase the volume of WEEE

1. Manage and coordinate of the entire WEEE

collection systems in order to transfer the WEEE

collected to the correct recycling, reuse and

repair channels (in accordance with EU/National

legislation),

2. Assists workers with advice and personal example on the work issues

EwasteR - 3rd Partnership Meeting 23 24 May 2016 (Warsaw)

Following a group workshop at the 3rd Partnership Meeting the curriculum development

headings were changed to better reflect the overall aims of the training objectives.

OPERATIONAL MANAGEMENT OF UEEE AND WEEE FOR REUSE, TREATMENT AND

RECYCLING

MANAGEMENT OF COLLECTION PROCESS OF UEEE AND WEEE

MANAGEMENT OF THE RE-DISTRIBUTION PROCESS

UEEE AND WEEE REFURBISHMENT AND REPAIR

UEEE AND WEEE TREATMENT AND RECYCLING

WEEE DECONSTRUCTION FOR REUSE

Comprehensive detail will be provided in the full report.

Interim Findings & Opportunities

Differing approaches by partner countries towards the management of

WEEE

Develop consistent approach across partner regions

Recycling and reuse of WEEE will continue to increase

Increase in work force opportunities and training

Greater demand for valuable resource contained in WEEE

Increase skill set of workforce to recover valuable resources

Growing emphasis towards a circular economy.

Greater opportunity to prevent waste

Lack of vocational and educational training programme to

meet the demand of the industry

Dedicated VET training programme required

Requirement for a qualification that is recognisable and

transferable

Increase mobility of workforce across member states

Interim Findings & Opportunities

Recommendations

Need for VET within the WEEE industry

Greater consistency across EU data collection and

training

Transferable curriculum which takes into account

regional requirements

Test and evaluate training models across all partners

Refine model for suitability and implementation

Gain industry recognition and acceptance

www.ewaster.eu

ewaster.eu@gmail.com

www.facebook.com/EwasteRProject

@eu_ewaster

EwasteR Project

Project n. 554341-EPP-1-2014-1-IT-EPPKA2-SSA

This project has been funded with support from the European Commission.

This publication reflects the views only of the author, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the

information contained therein