Page 52 -

C C h a p t e r 2 : h a p t e r 2 : C C u r r e n t I n i t i a t i v e s a n d S t a n d a r d s u r r e n t I n i t i a t i v e s a n d S t a n d a r d s 23 23

Specific objectives include:

• Gathering and assessing the most relevant environmental, economic, and social
characteristics of e-waste recycling in the industrialized world.
• Evaluating recycling systems, leading to recommendations for long-term development PART I
of eco-efficient resource cycles.
PART I
PART I
• Analyzing transboundary shipments and logistics of e-waste and its underlying
driving forces, dynamics, and regulations, as well as the constraints for sustainable
resource cycles.
• Describing the best available and emerging technologies for large and small volume
WEEE treatment in both industrializing and industrialized countries.
Capacity Building The Capacity Building task force focuses on building infrastructures for
sustainable, efficient, effective, and target group–oriented capacity building, covering
relevant aspects of the entire life cycle of EEE in order to sustainably solve the ever-growing
e-waste problem.
Specific objectives include:
• Organizing mutual learning environments, including the identification of viable
approaches adapted by different target countries and groups, and then testing and
implementing these projects.
• Setting standards in the form of comprehensive guidelines for capacity building.

For more information about StEP and how your organization can get involved, visit
Link 2-1. There you can find out more and follow a link to its website and learn about
specific programs and how to contact StEP and get involved.
Basel Action Network
Though the nonprofit Basel Action Network (BAN) is headquartered in Seattle, Washington,
it operates globally. It is a worldwide organization, focused on working with the human
rights and environmental impacts of e-waste. It also works to ban waste trade and promote
green, toxin-free design of consumer products.
BAN performs these broad functions:
• Acts as a source of information on the waste trade for journalists, academics, and
the general public. BAN’s informational output includes its website (see Link 2-2),
as well as an e-mail newsletter and electronic action alerts.
• Provides international policy advocacy. BAN is invited to participate in UN
meetings and policy deliberations. BAN has also worked with the Organization of
Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and the UN Environment
Program (UNEP) Chemicals Program and Governing Council. BAN has also
produced Model National Legislation on toxic waste trade for developing countries.
• Conducts field research and investigations in developing countries. It also provides
photographic and video documentation of e-waste trade.
• Participates with NGOs around the world in campaigns to counter toxic trade.