The challenge of ‘electronic waste’ is one that has grasped the world’s largest electronics manufacturers and environmental organizations for years. How to deal responsibly with electronic products at the end of their life? Some creative solutions have emerged, in Brazil for instance.
Sustainable cycle
Last December, Philips Brazil started the Sustainable Cycle program for the city of Manuas. The program enables the collection and recycling of consumer electronics products which have reached the end of their working life.
Partnering up
The program partners with two companies providing technical recycling assistance - High Tech and Colortel. These authorized service companies collect the equipment and send it for recycling – metal, wires, plastic and glass, TV tubes, etc. During the first few months of the program, 1 ton of equipment was recycled.
Important lessons learnt
Henrique Pierre de Araújo, Quality Control Manager at the Manaus factory says: “The pilot project is an important learning tool for Philips, through the contacts with environmental authorities and the partners able to provide the correct solution for solid residue.”
A new challenge
The challenge now is to expand the Sustainable Cycle program to cover the continental scale of Brazil. “We will have to deal with dozens of different states and municipal governments, as well as create a system of collection and transportation for the equipment which will be economically viable,” says Mr. De Araújo. It will certainly see results in the preservation of the environment for future generations.
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