After use management of mobile phones: An analysis of the existing take back initiatives in Rio Claro - SP, Brazil

Management of e-waste has been an issue of growing concern in the last decade. The EEC approved the RoHS directive setting up limits for hazardous substances (heavy metals and brominated flame retardants) used in the manufacturing of electrical and electronic devices exported to European countries. In Brazil this issue is regulated by the National Policy on Solid Waste that demands that e-waste encompassing hazardous substances are required to be returned to the manufacturer for further remanufacturing or recycling. This paper is aimed to analyze all the existing initiatives for mobile phone take back in Rio Claro city, Brazil, from the standpoint of their organization and efficiency in furthering these devices to remanufacturing and recycling industrial plants. Interviews were carried out with managers of three public ecopoints, four mobile phone stores (Vivo, Oi, Clar, Tim), the local Planning and Development Agency (Sepladema), one department store (C&A), one mobile phone servicing company (Gouveia and Gouveia), and a logistic company (GM&C) that transports and distributes the collected handsets and accessories to companies that perform remanufacture (Suzaquim) and recycling (Umicore, Belmont). The Brazilian Association of Electrical and Electronic Industry (ABINEE) that presently is starting an e-waste take back program in several states were also interviewed. As a result of this study a bill on management of e-waste was submitted to the Board of Alderman and an environmental education program is presently underway on public and private schools.