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10 Questions

with Jan Vrba
10 Questions | Search restaurants | Archives

March 12th, 2008 issue

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THE VRBA FILE

Job title: General
manager, Asekol
Age: 39
Nationality: Czech
Previous position: General manager, EuroBattery
Education: M.S. in environmental science, Charles University; MBA, Rochester Institute of Technology
Nothing becomes obsolete faster than consumer electronics, which are frequently replaced even when operational. Over the past 20 years, this turnover has created a glut of potentially toxic electronic waste, much of which currently ends up in landfills — or poor African nations. Jan Vrba, head of a large waste collection agency focused on electronics, talks to The Prague Post about the potential of batteries to auto-ignite and consumer demand for innovative products.
? What has the European Union done to prevent electronic waste from being thrown away in dumps?
The EU passed a directive on electronic waste [e-waste] that came into effect August 2005. Since then, all manufacturers and importers of electronic equipment have assumed liability for end-of-life electrical appliances. This means that manufacturers, importers and vendors are obliged to finance the collection and recycling of used electrical equipment.
? How did manufacturers respond to this mandate?
In response, the nonprofit Asekol collective was established by the Czech divisions of several significant electronics firms, such as LG Electronics, Panasonic, Philips, Samsung and Sony, to collect and process waste. We now have recycling agreements with more than 500 manufacturers and importers.
? How much e-waste is not being recycled?
Of the 200,000 metric tons of electric equipment sold each year in the Czech Republic, only 10 percent is recycled. That’s partly because people use more electronics than several years ago. For example, almost each household now has more than one television. The new one is bought before the old TV collapses, so older TVs are moved to one room, then another room, to the cottage and finally end up in the cellar.
? Aren’t the companies partly responsible for the amount of waste produced, particularly when they sell products that intentionally go obsolete?
The amount of e-waste is influenced more by the behavior of consumers. They want to purchase new electronics and companies’ product innovation is propped up by consumer demand and the spending potential of the population. More than 50 percent of electric equipment is in working condition when it’s thrown away.
? How do you go about processing e-waste?
The backbone of our system depends on collection yards, end resellers and electrical equipment service centers. People in small towns can hand over their old electronics during mobile collections, which take place two times a year at least. From collection points, the waste is transported to processing plants.
There are a few steps to recycling these electronics. First, we manually disassemble batteries, lamps, cables and certain electronic components. Then specialized companies handle the components with dangerous substances. Then all the remaining waste is crushed into smaller pieces and sorted by type: iron, nonferrous metals, glass and plastics.
? If not processed, how hazardous is this waste?
Electrical equipment often contains hazardous materials, such as cadmium, lead, mercury or hexavalent chromium. The high vacuum that exists in old televisions and PC monitors can implode, which is very dangerous. And all electrical equipment containing rechargeable batteries, such as mobile phones or notebooks, can contain heavy metals — mainly cadmium — which can auto-ignite if not disposed of properly.
? Do you think the country will be able to come into compliance with the waste directive by year’s end, as required?
By the end of 2008, the Czech Republic has to average retrieving four kilograms of electrical waste per person each year. Otherwise, sanctions will follow. There was about 1.7 kg per person collected in 2006 and this grew to 2.5 kg in 2007. But right now, it’s impossible to estimate whether the country will really meet the EU requirement.   
? Much electronic waste worldwide ends up in poorer nations like those in Africa. How do you ensure that your waste does not?
The Czech Republic abides by the Basel Convention, which controls the cross-border movement of hazardous wastes and their disposal. The torrent of e-waste that has stricken some poor states in Africa and Asia is close to an ecological catastrophe.
Asekol honors system transparency and applies strict control mechanisms to our waste. We carry out regular audits at treatment facilities, which have to evidence material flow to other partners. That is why we can declare direct reusage of up to 80 percent of the end-of-life products we collect.
? Is there a concern that the blanket fees attached to all electronics sold [to fund their disposal], no matter how environmentally friendly the product, could discourage companies from investing in “green” design?
These fees have no influence on a manufacturer’s attitude to developing new technologies. The concept of “extended producer responsibility,” which integrates responsibility for the environmental burden of a product throughout its lifecycle, has already become part of the competition between electronics companies.
? Have you found it difficult to raise consumer awareness that     e-waste needs to be returned and recycled?
In the second half of 2005, we started with nothing behind us. Popular awareness of the need for recycling was disastrous. We’ve made considerable efforts to change this and increase take-back figures.
We’ve organized pilot projects focused on small electrical equipment, including giving bins for electric toys and equipment to more than 30 basic schools in Prague. In June and September 2006, we organized a road show called Nakrmte Šrotozemštˇana (“Feed the Scrapman”) in 11 districts. Each show encouraged attendees to bring their waste to help make a dinosaur-inspired statue.
But we need to continue with our promotional activities and increase our collection points. It’s proven that the closer a collecting point is, the more people will use it.
Want your manager to answer our 10 Questions? Contact Paul Voosen at pvoosen@praguepost.com


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