CALAMBA, 21 June 2018 - The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) discussed the segregation of plastic components of e-wastes possibly contaminated with Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) with the Integrated Recycling Industries (IRI), which was selected as facility partner for the project “Implementation of PCB Management Programmes for Electric Cooperatives and Safe e-waste Management”.

Indeed, plastic components of electronics wastes such as TV sets and computer monitors could be contaminated with Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs); they therefore need waste segregation for proper disposal; UNIDO, in partnership with the Environmental Management Bureau-Department of Environment and Natural Resources (EMB-DENR) and with funding from the Global Environment Facility (GEF) addresses this issue with the project.

IRI will segregate plastic components of e-waste possibly contaminated with PBDEs. Representative plastic samples with elevated concentrations of bromine will be analyzed to determine the particular PBDE congeners that are present. PBDE-contaminated plastics will eventually be disposed through co-processing in cement kilns to prevent them from re-entering the recycling stream, thus averting secondary contamination. PBDEs were once widely used as flame retardants for plastic casings of electrical and electronic equipment but were found to be persistent organic pollutants (POPs), thus listed under the Stockholm Convention on POPs for elimination.

For further information, please contact:

Carmela Centeno

UNIDO Industrial Development Officer

Email