Within the framework of World Recycling Day, the Environment Secretariat of the City of Buenos Aires reported that over 1,300 tons of electrical and electronic waste had been collected for recycling in eight years.
Of this total, some 953.78 kg were recycled, another 331.18 kg (such as platelets) were reused and 39.74 kg (such as cathode ray tubes) were properly disposed of as hazardous waste.
Furthermore, the Secretariat indicated that they run a collection campaign for Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) to raise awareness of their negative impact on the environment and health.
It was also reported that by the end of May there will be mobile Green Points located in downtown Buenos Aires that receive electricity and electronic equipment from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; From May 15 to 19 it will take place in Viamonte and Talcahuano; And from May 22 to 31 this Av. Will be in Rivadavia and Paraná.
WEEE are considered residues which, because of their potentially hazardous, harmful or toxic characteristics, should be subject to specific management programs and plans. Electrical and electronic equipment becomes obsolete because they stop working or because of changes in technology. This type of waste is the most generated around the world.
“The incorrect disposal of WEEE has a negative impact on the environment as well as can represent a health risk. For this reason, we must promote its proper collection and recycling, thereby transitioning to a circular and sustainable economy ” Ines Gorbia, Secretary of the Environment of Buenos Aires.
WEEE contains many parts that can be recycled and reused by local industry, such as plastics, metals and magnets, but they also contain elements that are potentially hazardous to health and the environment, such as mercury, lead and cadmium, which must be properly disposed of and treated.
Through the Environmental Protection Agency (APRA), the Ministry has a number of programs to welcome WEEE that operate throughout the year.
At the domestic level, they are received at Green Points with personal attention and mobile Green Points; Through Law No. 2,807, the GCBA’s executive branch manages people with low wealth and, in addition, works with green schools and in private campaigns with various institutions.
“The activity of recovering and reintroducing inputs into the system from WEEE is referred to as “urban mining”, because this action yields raw materials, such as iron, copper, aluminium, platinum, silver and even that metals of interest such as gold”, APRA President Renzo Morosi explained, “Urban mining is important, because by recovering precious metals from waste, the mining activity is avoided with all the environmental and social consequences that it entails”. .
After being collected, WEEE is handled by the Cooperativa Reciclando Trabajo y Dignidad, where it is reconditioned into good condition, extending the useful life of electronic equipment, which may also meet technical requirements demanded by certain sectors. finished for, working for others.
and, if their repair or parts recovery is not possible, they are processed and separated to give value to their components and/or recyclable materials, such as glass, plastic, aluminum, copper, scrap metal and cables, Which are then incorporated into the production processes. ,
Finally, the small portion of components of equipment covered by the Hazardous Waste Law No. 2,214 receive final disposal in accordance with the said Regulation, thus avoiding damage to the environment and health.
