WCEF2023 Side Event: What happens to the EPR fees paid in Europe for a product that is exported to Africa as second-hand?

17 May, 15:00 – 16:30 CEST

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The event will look at the international flow of EPR fees covering the used electronics and used cars shipped from the EU to Africa

Extended producer responsibility (EPR) fees can help African economies tackle the huge challenges inherent in importing millions of tonnes of second hand products. Right now, though, only 17 out of 54 African countries have EPR policies in place, many of which do not cover imported products. And most African economies have limited options for recycling or repairing these goods or their constituent parts as they approach the end of their useful lives. That translates into staggering quantities of ‘waste’ materials going to informal landfill or incineration.

This event will look at the possible solutions we have researched and provoke an open discussion on the best way forward.

Agenda

• Intro by moderator – Stephane Arditi (EEB)

• Summary of the Study on items shipped for reuse and Extended Producer Responsibility fees – Arya Apoorva and Kristina Kasumovic (CIL)

• Short intro to the case studies – Randy Adjei (Footprints Africa)

• Panel discussion with WEEE Forum, ACEN Foundation and CIL – Pascal Leroy (WEEE Forum), Piotr Barczak (ACEN) and Arpit Buthani (CIL)

• Continuation of the discussion with online participants and panellists

• Wrap up and message to the WCEF2023 participants in Helsinki

Organisers: European Environmental Bureau (EEB) and Circular Innovations Lab (CIL)

Co-organisers: Footprints Africa, ACEN Foundation

    The Webinar is a WCEF2023 Side Event