Glossary

A class of plastics based on acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymers. Because of its high mechanical and impact strength, it is used in most electrical and electronic appliances such as casings for phone, monitors etc.

The Advance Recycling Fee (ARF) is the fee Swiss customers pay on the purchase of new electronic or electrical equipment. This is used to finance the SWICO and S.EN.S Recycling Systems. This fee is openly published, transferred by the importers/manufacturers (or their traders) to a recycling account held by SWICO or S.EN.S.

The Basel Action Network, based in Seattle, Washington, USA, is an international network of activists seeking to prevent the globalization of the toxic chemical crisis. It seeks to prevent the export of toxic wastes from rich to poorer countries. In February 2002 it came out, in cooperation with the Silicon Valley Toxic Coalition, with the landmark publication “Exporting Harm: The High-Tech Trashing of Asia” which was the first of its kind to document the large scale export of electronic waste from developed countries to mainly China, India and Pakistan. For more information go to www.ban.org

The Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and their Disposal is a global agreement ratified by over 100 member countries addressing the problems and challenges posed by hazardous waste. It aims to minimize the generation of hazardous wastes in terms of quantity and hazardousness, to dispose of them as close to the source of generation as possible and to reduce the movement of hazardous wastes. For more information go to www.basel.int

Bioaccumulation occurs when toxic substances stay in the biological system (get stored in fat tissue mostly) instead of being metabolized or excreted as waste. If the input of a toxic substance to an organism is greater than the rate at which the substance is lost, the organism is said to be bioaccumulating that substance. When toxic substances stay in the body for a long period of time, it gets problematic, leading to many kinds of diseases, cancers and even death. Because toxins accumulate over a period of time, even low, seemingly harmless levels of toxins can be lethal over time.

A carcinogen is a substance that causes cancer or is believed to cause cancer. A known human carcinogen means there is sufficient evidence of a cause and effect relationship between exposure to the material and cancer in humans.

A recycling system in which a particular mass of material (possible after upgrading) is remanufactured into the same product (e.g. glass bottles into glass bottles). See also open-loop recycling.

A collector is a person who is contractually tied to run a collection point as part of a collection scheme operated by a firm or an industry, and therein stores the transport containers only until they are filled with the goods to be collected, and until a sensible, reasonable transport can be organised, counts as a ”collector” and does not require a permit. Only if the temporary storage is long-term, that is, not just limited to the organisation of optimum logistics, is a permit required. (ORDEA)

The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) is an autonomous body under the Ministry of Environment & Forests, India. For more information go to http://www.cpcb.nic.in

The cathode ray tube or CRT, is the display device used in most computer monitors and televisions. Disposed of CRT’s are toxic because of the phosphor which contains several toxic metals and the high lead content in the glass of the cone part of the CRT which is made of lead glass to block dangerous X-rays generated by the impact of the high-energy electron beam. For more information go to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cathode_ray_tube.

A special group of dangerous chemicals known as persistent organic pollutants. Once dioxins have entered the environment or body, they are there to stay due to their uncanny ability to dissolve in fats and to their rock-solid chemical stability. They are formed as an unintentional by-product of many industrial processes involving chlorine, such as waste incineration, chemical and pesticide manufacturing and pulp and paper bleaching, but can also result from natural processes, such as volcanic eruptions and forest fires.

Disposal of wastes shall include their recovery or placing in a landfill as well as the preliminary stages of collection, transport, storage and treatment. (Swiss federal Law 814.01 USG)

Disposer means any person to whom hazardous wastes or other wastes are shipped and who carries out the disposal of such wastes. (Basel Convention)

Delhi Pollution Control Committee under the Government of Delhi For more information go to http://dpcc.delhigovt.nic.in/

Electronic Waste (e-waste) or waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) means electrical or electronic equipment which is waste (wastes are all substances or objects which the holder disposes), including all components, subassemblies and consumables which are part of the product at the time of discarding. It includes computers and entertainment electronics consisting of valuable as well as harmful and toxic components. E-waste has become an attractive business in developing and transition countries due to low incomes as well as loopholes in the law and its enforcement. This results in risky recycling methods with major impacts on the health of people and the environment. The extreme rate of obsolescence and increasing imports from industrialised countries cause severe problems in these countries.

Empa is the multidisciplinary research institute for material science and technology of the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH) domain. It is specialised in applications-oriented research and development, as well as in offering services to help solving demanding problems in the fields of sustainable materials science and technology. The Technology and Society Lab within EMPA analyses the impacts of technological developments on society and the environment and is leading EMPA's e-waste activities. It is a pioneer is monitoring and control for e-waste management systems as the technical control body for setting recycling and disposal standards as well as auditing material flows through the Swiss system. Empa is also leading several projects in developing and emerging economies in Asia, Africa and Latin America to build capacities for e-waste management in areas of policy & legislation, business & financing and technology & skills. It has been instrumental in founding the StEP Initiative to develop a global knowledge sharing platform on e-waste.

Emphysema is a condition in which there is over-inflation of structures in the lungs known as alveoli or air sacs. This over-inflation results from a breakdown of the walls of the alveoli, which causes a decrease in respiratory function (the way the lungs work) and often, breathlessness. Early symptoms of emphysema include shortness of breath and cough.

e-Waste Association of South Africa - eWASA’s mission is to deliver support for the establishment of environmentally sound and socially responsible e-waste recycling systems in South Africa. eWASA acts as a multi-stakeholder platform and its role includes setting standards, defining best practices along the whole e-waste value chain, insuring the international networking and knowledge transfer.

Exporter means any person under the jurisdiction of the State of export who arranges for hazardous wastes or other wastes to be exported. (Basel Convention)

The Gini coefficient is a measure of the income inequality in a society. The Gini coefficient is a number between 0 and 1, where 0 means perfect equality (everyone has the same income) and 1 means perfect inequality (one person has all the income, everyone else earns nothing). The Gini coefficient is calculated using areas on the Lorenz Curve diagram. The Lorenz curve is a graph that shows, for the bottom x% of households, the percentage y% of the total income which they have. The percentage of households is plotted on the x axis, the percentage of income on the y axis. If the area between the line of perfect equality and Lorenz curve is A, and the area underneath the Lorenz curve is B, the Gini coefficient, expressed as a percentage, is A/(A+B).

Handling means any activity in connection with substances, organisms or wastes, in particular, the manufacture, import, bringing into circulation, use, storage, transport or disposal. (Swiss federal Law 814.01 USG)

The Hazardous Substances Management Division (HSMD) is the nodal point within the Ministry of Environment and Forests (India) for the management of chemical emergencies and hazardous substances. The main objective of the Division is to promote safe management and use of hazardous substances including hazardous chemicals and hazardous wastes, in order to avoid damage to health and environment. The Division is also government’s nodal point for the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions. For more information go to http://envfor.nic.in/divisions/hsmd/

Incineration is the process of destroying waste through burning.

A landfill is an area designated to receive waste. Landfills can be harmful because they can leach toxins into the groundwater and methane and other toxic gases into the air. Landfilling e-waste is also undesirable because it permanently removes the material from further economic use.

An assessment of the total environmental impact of a product during its entire life cycle, including production, materials, energy and water consumption, detergents, end-of-life treatment, etc.

A liquid crystal display is a thin, lightweight display device with no moving parts. It is the technology that is used in calculators, mobile phone and PDA’s and is increasingly replacing the Cathode Ray Tube (CRT) in monitors and TV’s as well.

Leaching occurs when water, from rain, flooding or other sources, seeps into the ground into the underground water supply, dissolving with it toxic chemicals and other trace elements from the soil through wich it seeps. Groundwater near landfills and hazardous waste dumps is often highly toxic with high levels of lead, mercury etc caused due to leaching.

A light-emitting diode (LED) is a semiconductor device that emits light. It is a ubiquitious electronic component, used in many applications from message displays to infrared remote controllers, to sensors.

The Manufacturers Association of IT (MAIT), set up in 1982, represents the hardware, training and service sectors of the Indian IT sector. For more information, go to http://www.mait.com

The Ministry of Environment & Forests is the nodal agency in the administrative structure of the Central Government, for the planning, promotion, co-ordination and overseeing the implementation of environmental and forestry programmes. The Ministry is also the nodal agency in the country for the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). For more information go to http://envfor.nic.in/.

Municipal Solid Waste (MSW)—more commonly known as trash or garbage—consists of everyday items such as product packaging, grass clippings, furniture, clothing, bottles, food scraps, newspapers, appliances, paint, batteries etc.

National Association of Software and Service Companies (NASSCOM) is India’s National Association of Software and Service Companies, the premier trade body and the chamber of commerce of the IT software and services industry in India. For more information www.nasscom.org

The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) is an international organization of those developed countries that accept the principles of democracy and a free market economy. For more information, go to www.oecd.org/

A recycling system in which a product made from one type of material is recycled into a different type of product (e.g. used newspapers into toilet paper). See also closed-loop recycling.

The Swiss Ordinance on the Return, Take-back and Disposal of Electrical and Electronic Appliances. Known as the VREG in German and OREA in French.

An abnormal softening of bones caused by deficiencies of phosphorus or calcium or vitamin D

An abnormal loss of bony tissue resulting in fragile porous bones attributable to a lack of calcium

Polybrominated biphenyls (PBBs) and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are manmade chemicals, commonly known as Brominated Flame Retardants, found in plastics used in a variety of consumer products to make them difficult to burn. For more information, go to http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/tfacts68.html

Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs), polybrominated dibenzo dioxins and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs) are commonly known as dioxins and furans. Refer to Dioxins.

Polybrominated biphenyls (PBBs) and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are manmade chemicals, commonly known as Brominated Flame Retardants, found in plastics used in a variety of consumer products to make them difficult to burn.

Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs), polybrominated dibenzo dioxins and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs) are commonly known as dioxins and furans. Refer to Dioxins.

Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs), polybrominated dibenzo dioxins and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs) are commonly known as dioxins and furans. Refer to Dioxins.

The polluter pays principle in the Law relating to the Protection of the Environment specifies that costs that arise as a result of measures under the law must be borne by the perpetrator

The Stockholm Convention is a global treaty to protect human health and the environment from persistent organic pollutants (POPs). POPs are chemicals that remain intact in the environment for long periods, become widely distributed geographically, accumulate in the fatty tissue of living organisms and are toxic to humans and wildlife. The convention comes into force in May 2004. For more information http://www.pops.int

The Precautionary Principle calls for care to be taken in the face of any actions that may affect people or the environment, no matter what science is able -- or unable -- to say about that action (Wingspread Consensus Statement, 1998, http://reason.com/9904/fe.rb.precautionary.shtml).

Producer shall mean anyone whose activities produce waste and/or anyone who carries out pre-processing, mixing or other operationsres ulting in a change in the nature or composition of this waste. (Directive (75/442/EEC))
Generator means any person whose activity produces hazardous wastes or other wastes or, if that person is not known, the person who is in possession and/or control of those wastes. (Basel Convention)

A printed wiring board (PWB), also known as a printed circuit board (PCB), provides both the physical structure for mounting and holding electronic components as well as the electrical interconnection between components. It consists of a non-conducting substrate upon which a conductive pattern or circuitry is formed. For more information, go to http://www.pwbrc.org/faq10.cfm

Recycling means the reprocessing in a production process of the waste materials for the original purpose or for other purposes, but excluding energy recovery which means the use of combustible waste as a means of generating energy through direct incineration with or without other waste but with recovery of the heat. (Directive 2002/96/EC)

Reuse means any operation by which WEEE or components thereof are used for the same purpose for which they were conceived, including the continued use of the equipment or components thereof which are returned to collection points, distributors, recyclers or manufacturers. (Directive 2002/96/EC)
Reuse is using an item more than once. This includes conventional reuse where the item is used again for the same function, and new-life reuse where it is used for a new function. (Wikipedia)

The Rotterdam Convention is a worldwide treaty aimed at reducing Hazardous Chemicals & Pesticides in International Trade. It is based on the Prior Informed Consent procedure which requires exporters trading in a list of hazardous substances to obtain the prior informed consent of importers before proceeding with the trade. For more information, go to http://www.pic.int/

Swiss Agency for the Environment, Forests and Landscapes. BUWAL in German and OFPFP in French.

SECO is the Swiss government's department in charge of economic policy. Its economic development co-operation directorate is the competence centre for sustainable economic development and the integration of industrializing countries into the world economy.

Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs. Seco's aim is to create the basic regulatory and economic policy conditions to enable business to flourish for the benefit of all. For more information http://www.seco-cooperation.ch

Waste Disposal Foundation Switzerland. For more information http://www.sens.ch (in German, French and Italian only)

Similar to the Central Pollution Control Board in function, the SPCB´s are responsible for implementing legislation at the state level, with each state having its own state pollution control board.

Swiss National Insurance for Occupational Diseases and Accidents

Swiss Association for Information, Communication and Organisation Technology. For more information www.swico.ch

Tetrachloro-dibenzo-dioxin (see dioxins).

Toner pigment is the 'ink' used in printers and copiers.

Treatment means any physical, chemical or biological modification of wastes. (Swiss federal Law 814.01 USG)

The Swiss Federal Department of Environment, Transport, Energy and Communications. (ETEC in French and ATEC in Italian). It is the highest Swiss authority for enacting environmental legislation.For more information http://www.uvek.admin.ch.

Constriction of blood vessels, often due to exposure to Arsenic.

Wastes are substances or objects which are disposed of or are intended to be disposed of or are required to be disposed of by the provisions of national law. (Basel Convention)