ITU Telecommunication Development Sector (ITU-D) study groups provide a neutral contribution-driven platform where experts from governments, industry and academia gather to produce practical tools, useful guidelines and resources to address development issues. Through the work of the ITU-D study groups, ITU-D members study and analyse specific task-oriented telecommunication/ICT questions with an aim to accelerate progress on national development priorities.

This report outlines the minimum standards for processing Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) and considers the responsibilities of different stakeholders including producers, consumers, managers and intermediaries involved in the process. Likewise, it describes the different techniques for recovering metals present in WEEE and reducing hazardous waste. Information on non-compliant and counterfeit devices is included, as well as the integration of informal recyclers and the impact of WEEE on the health of people who are in contact with them are included in the report as social aspects of the management of WEEE.

This chapter advocates that every country should develop a national policy on effective and efficient management of WEEE. It provides a detailed operational guideline on different stages and activities of WEEE management. It sets out some minimum standards for the environmentally sound management of Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) from Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs), which may serve as guidelines for governments and managers in least developed and developing countries regardless of their specific circumstances. It also seeks, within the framework of the concepts of “sustainability” and “management system”, to promote compliance with such requirements for the benefit of human health and the environment, by discouraging inappropriate management of this type of waste.

This Chapter describes several alternative recovery and exploitation methods4 (rather than treatment and disposal) that are technically feasible for hazardous waste contained in waste from telecommunications (WEEE/ICT). This may help guide governments and other interested parties in least developed and developing countries, whatever their specific circumstances and requirements, in investigating in greater depth and, where appropriate, implementing these methods of recovery and exploitation in their territories or seeking access to such methods.

This chapter considers the social implications of poor WEEE management. This will provide guidance for governments and managers in least developed and developing countries, irrespective of their particular circumstances, in taking appropriate action.

This chapter presents the economic aspects of WEEE management taking into account a number of existing ICT equipment takeback schemes in various countries. It also provides recommendations for other governments considering the implementation of a WEEE management system or interested in reducing costs of transporting such waste.

In this chapter, the summary of the contributions and case studies are presented. Those contributions and case studies which have been used in the main body of the report have not been included in this chapter.

There is no single model for the environmentally sound management of WEEE, but there are certain minimum standards that may provide guidance for countries that do not have a management system or wish to improve their current system and ensure environmentally friendly waste management. It is, however, essential for all the players in the chain (governments, producers, vendors, consumers and managers) to play an active part in implementing these programs.