Navigating the Transition to the Circular Economy: Adventures in E-Waste
Lee Read
The global digital transformation has accelerated and changed our world, creating substantial opportunities and advancement. However, this digital growth comes at a high cost. As we generate more tech-enabled products and services, we contribute to the burgeoning global problem of electronic waste, or e-waste.
Historically, tech companies have focused on e-waste as a compliance issue and on understanding the federal and state regulatory requirements, worker health and safety protections, waste management, and disposition; compliance management remains essential to mitigating reputational and brand risks. With the emerging transition to a circular economy, companies are challenged to move beyond compliance and commit to high Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) and climate goals, such as achieving zero waste targets. This presentation will provide an overview of the U.S. and EU e-waste regulations’ complex map and discuss challenges companies continue to face with e-waste collection, management, disposal, and recycling that hinder the transition to the circular economy.
We will outline how e-waste can be an opportunity to drive progress toward zero waste and corporate sustainability goals. We will facilitate an interactive group discussion to share best practices and outline elements of sustainable e-waste programs.
This session applies to industry EHS and facilities professionals, supply chain professionals, circular economy professionals, sustainability directors and managers, and others interested in the management, disposal, and recovery of e-waste.