The best of two worlds: Project launched on sustainable recycling of scrap metal in Africa

The problems associated with the recycling of e-waste in Africa, for both people and the environment, are well-known. Less well known, though, are the benefits that sustainable recycling can bring. Oeko-Institut’s new project aims to investigate and facilitate the transition to sustainable recycling solutions to recover scarce and valuable metals like platinum, indium etc. from locally generated end-of-life electrical and electronic equipment and end-of-life vehicles, by developing and implementing new strategies for recycling these scrap flows in a manner that respects public health, is environmentally sound, and is socially acceptable.

Together with partners from industry, new recycling structures in Ghana and Egypt are to be set up and tested in pilot operations, with the goal of increasing local value creation. Recycling conducted within the pilot operations has to comply with international social, safety and health standards and should create jobs locally. At the same time, components that cannot be recycled in the region in an efficient and environmentally friendly way are to be exported to specialized high-tech refineries in Europe. Consequently both Ghana and Egypt will become better connected with recycling structures in industrialised countries. The project exclusively addresses locally generated scrap and thereby clearly disassociates itself from the illegal trade of hazardous waste and e-waste.

The consortium of Oeko-Institut, Umicore, Vacuumschmelze and others are working with competent partners in both countries for local implementation: City Waste Recycling Ltd. in Ghana and CEDARE in Egypt. This cooperation combines the strengths of all participants: leading companies in metal recycling and processing, environmental research, project management competencies and a strong local presence in Ghana and Egypt. The project will be carried out between June 2012 and May 2015 and is sponsored by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) within the scope of the r3program.

Further information is available on the resourcefever-website:
http://www.resourcefever.org/project/items/global_circular_economy_of_strategic_metals.html

Contact

Dr. Matthias Buchert
Head of the Infrastructure & Enterprises Division
Oeko-Institut, Darmstadt office
Phone: +49 (0) 6151-8191-0
Email: m.buchert@oeko.de

Oeko-Institut is a leading independent European research and consultancy institute working for a sustainable future. Founded in 1977, the institute develops principles and strategies for ways in which the vision of sustainable development can be realised globally, nationally and locally. It has offices in three cities in Germany: Freiburg, Darmstadt and Berlin.

Umicore Precious Metals Refining operates as one of the world's largest precious metals recycling facilities. This business unit of Umicore is the world market leader in recycling complex waste streams containing precious and other non-ferrous metals. We offer eco-efficient recycling and refining services for precious metal bearing materials such as by-products from other non-ferrous industries, consumer and industrial recyclable products, e.g. electronic scrap. We recover and sell precious metals, special metals, secondary metals and base metals. We put them back in the cycle for a better life.

VACUUMSCHMELZE (VAC) with 1,500 employees in Hanau, Germany, designs, produces and markets advanced materials, particularly with magnetic but also with other physical qualities as well as related products. In 1914, the first vacuum furnace laid the foundation for today's VACUUMSCHMELZE. Industrial vacuum melting techniques for alloys have been in operation since 1923.

The VAC Group today achieves annual sales of more than 450 million Euros in over 40 countries and is holder of more than 750 patents. The company is among the world’s most highly innovative developers of advanced industrial materials.

CEDARE
The Center for Environment and Development for the Arab Region and Europe (CEDARE) was established in 1992 as an international inter-governmental Organization with diplomatic status. The Centre's mission is to provide leadership and advocate sound governance for environmental protection, through building human resources and institutional capacity, advancing applied research and environmentally friendly technologies and acting as a catalyst to enhance collaborative action between the Arab World, Europe and the International Community. Electronic waste management is an important area for CEDARE, where studying and developing the recycling industry in the Arab countries in cooperation with the international community is a priority. CEDARE also facilitates the exchange of know-how between national and international stakeholders.

City Waste Recycling Ltd.
City Waste Group operates recycling plants since 1999 in Ghana and started an e-waste recycling pilot plant in 2010. The plants are situated in three locations; Kaneshie/Accra, Afiaman/Ga-West District and Ashongman/Ga-East District all in the Greater Accra Region.