Rescue - Responsible and Sustainable E -Waste Management in Cuenca/Ecuador. (Rescue - Responsible and sustainable management of electronic waste in Cuenca/Ecuador)

Currently, waste of electrical and electronic devices (RAEE) are one of the fastest growing waste flows, and Latin America represents approximately 10% of the 50 million tons generated annually. The incorrect treatment of the RAEE not only negatively affects the environment due to the large number of heavy metals they possess, but also to the health of people in contact with them. RAEE management in developing countries is characterized by informal and unhealthy informal recycling activities, lack of formal collection systems, lack of producer's responsibility policies, and suboptimal treatment options. EMAC-EP operates an exemplary municipal solid waste management system, providing the ideal backbone for a RAE management scheme. EMAC-EP currently has a collection point, and the RAEE collected are subsequently sent to a recycling company in Quito. With the rescue project, which together the local knowledge of the inclusive circular economy project, EMAC EP, Ministry of Environment and Water and the international experience of Ecopartner LTD, Eth Zürich, and Solenthaler Recycling AG, the collection point will become an integrated RAEE management center that will combine reuse activities, repair, remanufacturing and recycling. The retention of local economic value, through the creation of employment and the recovery of materials, and the social inclusion of the informal recycling sector will be encouraged.

OUT OF CALL – EXTERNAL FUNDS