Gender and E-Waste Policy Considerations

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Alan Collins
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1 Gender and E-Waste Policy Considerations Hari Srinivas Professor of Environmental Policy, Kwansei Gakuin University and Coorduinator, Global Development Research Center Kobe, Japan

2 Technological Solutions Why gender and e-waste? Other solutions Environmental Problems Politically Feasible Economically viable Institutionally plausible Unequal burdens, responsibilities and impacts

3 The Human Angle Uncertain, insecure, risky and criminalized working conditions of the informal sector Lack of appropriate skills and technologies Lack of awareness of health risks Child-rearing responsibilities and safe living environments Lack of business and market networks Low-incomes

4 Need for change Changing consumer thinking Reduce e-waste Acknowledgement and understanding of the e-waste context Changing recyclers thinking Changing manufacturers thinking Changing governments thinking

5 Finding the middle ground 3R Policies CSR policies Design for Environment Microfinance systems Health and childcare E-Waste issues Gender issues Eco-Labelling Hazardous and toxic waste regulations Pollution prevention Job creation and working environments Housing and urban planning

6 Supportive Policy Contexts Policies related to informal sector activities Policies related to a green economy Policies related to consumer education Policies related to poverty alleviation and job creation Policies related to education and vocational training GENDER AND E-WASTE Policies related to gender mainstreaming Policies related to NGOs and industry organizations

7 MDGs / SDGs National Governments GLOBAL: Producers & Recyclers WEEE Directive Workers rights and informal sector policies Rotterdam Convention Workers groups and organizations/ngos Stockholm Convention Train-the-trainers Basel Convention Civil society participation Producer countries Recycler countries

8 LOCAL: Manufacturers & Recyclers Take-back systems EPR, CSR and other initiatives E-Product Manufacturers Design for environment Material labelling Distribution of safety gear Recycling market streamlining E-Product recyclers Awareness and education Skills development and on-the-job training

9 Pressure on the Industry National local governments Industry associations, business groups and Chambers of commerce Electronic Industry NGOs, universities and training institutions

10 The GET Approach Global Level National Level Local Level Governance Systems Education Systems Technology Systems

11 Policy Cycle Regulatory Environment Technology and Product Development Use and disposal Awareness, capacities and training

12 GET Approach: GOVERNANCE Laws, regulations and codes/standards Mass media and industry buy-in Regulatory Environment Eco-labelling Public hearings and townhall meetings Product and waste tracking

13 GET Approach: EDUCATION Community exhibitions Info campaigns through mass media Awareness, Education and Training Seminars and community meetings Booklets and posters On-the-job training

14 GET Approach: TECHNOLOGY Eco-labelling (including toxicity and hazardous labels) Packaging systems Technology and Product Development Life-cycle approach Design for the environment (including design for disassembly) Environmentally sound technology criteria

15 Challenges and Opportunities Challenges Problem of middlemen Problem of lack of skills Lack of awareness Lack of technologies Awareness of health risks Involvement of criminal elements Opportunities Setup and manage industry organizations and NGOs Training, capacity building, and on-the-job workshops Organize seminars and info campaigns Development and sale of appropriate technology Manufacture and sale of safety equipment Strong police and customs action Training on DfE and labelling Training on disassembly On-site health clinics Civil society monitoring

16 Stakeholder Analysis Global Level Regional Level UN, multilateral organizations, WBCSD Bilateral agencies and regional banks Guidelines, policy analysis, industry trends, MEAs etc. Long-term, soft issues National Level National governments Subnational/provincial governments Laws, regulations, labelling, codes and standards Local Level Community Level Local governments and agencies NGOs, universities, research institutions Community groups, workers unions Public awareness education, workshops, training Short-term, hard issues

17 Takeaways The real need here is for an acknowledgement and understanding of the gender dimensions of e-waste There are a number of existing policies, strategies and laws at both global and local levels that can be used to tackle the challenges of gender and e-waste Lets agree: e-wastes need to be reduced and recycled we need to create a safe and healthy environment within which this can happen Multi-stakeholder partnerships are key to tackle the many challenges of e-waste processing and recycling in both the producer countries and recycler countries

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