In a recent opinion poll, 94% of the public in the Netherlands
backed Greenpeace's demand that electronics producers should take
responsibility for collecting their own-branded e-waste (1). At
present, most of it ends up in household waste or is exported,
often illegally, for dumping or rudimentary recovery in the
developing world.
"If Philips continues to refuse to live up to its
responsibility, the result will be a huge amount of hazardous
e-waste spreading around the globe. Exposing people and the
environment around the dumping grounds, or the so-called informal
recycling sector, to a cocktail of toxic chemicals," said Martin
Besieux, Greenpeace International toxics campaigner.
As a first step, Philips should voluntarily set up credible
take-back systems in all countries where its products are sold, and
in particular in Russia, India, Argentina and Thailand. These
countries are currently discussing future national e-waste
legislation, so now is the ideal time for Philips to take the lead
by supporting, through its actions as well as its policies, the
principle of individual producer responsibility.
Philips stands out by publicly stating that recycling is a
shared financial responsibility for the customer, government and
the producer. According to Philips, consumers should pay for
recycling by a visible fee. (2)
Philips is lobbying against legislation that would make
companies directly responsible for the costs of recycling their own
products. As a result, the status quo of toxic product design,
which hampers recycling, is maintained (3).
"Companies such as Sony, Samsung and Nokia have put in place
voluntary take-back schemes even in countries where they are not
required to do so by law. Philips must have a full, uniform and
global programme of taking care of the e-waste generated from its
obsolete products, and change from being an environmental laggard
to an environmental leader." Said Martin Besieux, Greenpeace
International toxics campaigner.
Voluntary take-back services will encourage producers to phase
out the use of toxic substances in their products at the design
stage, thus allowing for safer recyling and reduced end of life
costs for the companies. Greenpeace is demanding that all
electronics producers take full responsibility for their
own-branded e-waste on a global level, ensuring that is properly
recycled or disposed of.
Other contacts: Omer Elnaiem, Greenpeace International Communications: + 0031 6 15093589Martin Besieux, Greenpeace International Toxics Campaign: +32 496 161585Greenpeace International Photo Desk: + 44 207 865 8230Greenpeace International Video Desk: +31207182208
Notes: (1) Survey conducted by GfK Panel Services Benelux in June 2008.http://www.gfk.nl/(2) Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. Sustainability Report 2006, page 55. (3) In 2006, Philips put at least 13 million television sets on the market, making it the third largest TV manufacturer in the world. Its products potentially represent at least 400,000 tons of e-waste once they become obsolete.The calculation was made on the basis of original data by research firms iSuppli and DisplaySearch, accessed via: EDN, 2007. “Top TV makers retain market lead as consumers embrace LCD sets” 9/25/2007. DIGITALHOME, 2007. Samsung is global television leader for 2006. 16/2/2007.The 400,000 tons of e-waste figure, is a calculation based on the average weight (Wt) per TV estimated, referring to a period of 20 years, by the United Nations University for the European Commission in the following Study: “2008 Review of the Directive 2002/96 on Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Final Report available via: http://ec.europa.eu/environment/waste/weee/pdf/final_rep_unu.pdf