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Welcome to the Basel Action Network – BAN

TOP STORY

CBS' 60 Minutes Segment:
Exposes E-Waste Dumping, Features BAN

11-10-08

"Following The Trail Of Toxic E-Waste"

9 November 2008 - (CBS) 60 Minutes is going to take you to one of the most toxic places on Earth - a place government officials and gangsters don't want you to see. It's a town in China where you can't breathe the air or drink the water, a town where the blood of the children is laced with lead.

Read the 60 Minutes News Article - 11-9-08

"The Electronic Wasteland"

View the 60 Minutes News Segment - 11-9-08

BAN Announces New e-Stewards Certification Program:
E-Stewards: Activists and industry join to certify responsible electronics recyclers - 11-10-08
Listen to the News Conference Audio - 11-10-08

BAN Releases New Film: E-Stewardship: Taking Responsibility in the IT Age

BAN Launches New e-Stewards Website: Visit e-Stewards.org

Additional Press:
Could your computer become a toxic threat? - 11-10-08
Groups to launch e-waste certification program - 11-10-08
SCOTT PELLEY AND CREW GET ROUGHED UP GETTING THE STORY OF TOXIC “E-WASTE” DUMPS IN CHINA – “60 MINUTES” SUNDAY ON CBS - 11-6-08

e-Stewards – Do the Right Thing: Use ONLY e-Stewards - Responsible Recyclers for your Computer! – Find a Responsible e-Cycler!

Marketplace: Our e-waste comes back to haunt us -- Website -- New!

Following in BAN's footsteps in Nigeria -- E-waste Dumping (featuring BAN)

Shipbreaking in India -- The Case of the Blue Lady (featuring BAN)
Link to the Series with Texts: Dirty Business

BAN in The New York Times – The Afterlife of Cellphones – Read the Article Online

BAN featured in National Geographic Magazine – High-Tech Trash: Will your discarded TV end up in a ditch in Ghana? – Read the Article Online

GAO RELEASES NEW REPORT ON TOXIC E-WASTE EXPORT:
EPA unable to enforce rules, holds "little concern for the environment in other countries"

9-17-08

Report paints shocking picture of "electronic waste anarchy" says environmental group

17 September 2008 - The U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) released a new report on electronic waste today during a hearing of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Asia, the Pacific and the Global Environment. The Electronics TakeBack Coalition, a national coalition of environmental and consumer groups promoting responsible recycling and green design in the electronics industry, applauded the report, hailing it as the U.S. government’s first comprehensive look at the magnitude of the problem of exporting toxic e-waste to developing nations.

Read the Press Release - 9-17-08

Electronics TakeBack Coalition (ETBC) Press Release - 9-17-08

U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) Report

Additional Press:
Electronics dumping ground - 9-23-08
Report: EPA Lets Electronic Waste Flow "Virtually Unrestricted" - 9-22-08
GAO Report: U.S. Companies Still Exporting Toxic E-Waste - 9-19-08
Trashed Tech Dumped Overseas: Does the U.S. Care? - 9-19-08
EPA Faulted for Failing to Control E-Waste Exports - 9-18-08
Brown Calls For National E-Waste Export Ban - 9-17-08
EPA Lets Electronic Waste Flow Freely, GAO Report Says - 9-17-08
US Exporting Harmful E-waste to Other Countries - 9-17-08

Waste Management Recycle America Commits to e-Stewards Pledge: World's Most Rigorous Environmental and Social Criteria for Electronic Waste Management

9-24-08

First solid waste management company to commit to responsible e-waste handling and environmental preservation

24 September 2008 - Waste Management Recycle America (WM Recycle America) today announced its commitment to adopt the Electronics Recycler’s Pledge of True Stewardship for the dismantling and recycling of electronics waste (e-waste).

Read the Press Release - 9-24-08

International NGOs Alarmed Over JPEPA

10-10-08

Ratification Tremendous Step Back for Environmental Justice

10 October 2008 (Quezon City) - International non-governmental organizations scored the Philippine Senate over the ratification of the controversial Japan-Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement or JPEPA. In a statement issued by various international NGOs, they stated that they "stand in solidarity with all of Philippine civil society in outrage over the ratification of the Japan-Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement."

Read the Press Release - 10-10-08

Read the Statement of Solidarity - 10-9-08

Image ©Gigie Cruz/GAIA

Press Releases:
Toxic Waste Exports in Asia Alarming - 9-26-08
JPEPA: POISON TO FILIPINOS - 9-8-08
Toxic Wastes in JPEPA a Real Threat (Japanese Translation) - 8-19-08
MAR HIT ON JPEPA CONSTITUTIONALITY - 8-12-08
Coffin, mourners march to Senate - 8-4-08
NO FOOD, NO JOBS, NO FUTURE with JPEPA - 4-21-08
Senate Urge to Uphold People's Interest vs JPEPA - 4-16-08
Citizen's Coalition Vows to Escalate Action against JPEPA - 4-10-08

Additional Press:
Philippine Senate ratifies controversial trade deal with Japan - 10-9-08
Indonesia's Experience Debunks Claim of JPEPA Gains - 9-4-08
‘JPEPA fashionable but not timely’--expert - 8-27-08
‘RP gave too many concessions to Japan in free trade deal’ - 8-27-08
Junk JPEPA, Appeal Bishops - 8-4-08
Santiago eases phantom fear of waste from Japan - 5-9-08
'Fixing' flawed JPEPA - 5-8-08
Japanese condemn JPEPA too! - 4-24-08

Video:
SAYONARA JPEPA - 8-27-08
QTV: Group holds protest rally vs JPEPA - 5-5-08

House of Representatives Considers Resolution to Ban the Export of Toxic E-Waste to Developing Nations

7-31-08

Call for Co-Sponsors in Washington State

31 July 2008 (Washington, DC, Seattle, WA.) - The Basel Action Network and the Electronics TakeBack Coalition applauded U.S. Representative Gene Green (D-TX), Chairman of the House Subcommittee on Environment and Hazardous Materials, for introducing a congressional resolution today (H.Res. 1395) that calls for the U.S. to join other nations around the world that have banned the export of toxic e-waste to developing countries. This resolution could be the precursor for future legislation.

Read the Press Release - 7-31-08

Copy of House Resolution 1395:

Expressing concern over the current Federal policy that allows the exportation of toxic electronic waste to developing nations - 7-31-08

U.S. Congressman Gene Green, Press Release:
Green's House resolution opposes toxic e-waste exports - 7-31-08

United Nations Waste Treaty Postpones Long Awaited Toxic Waste Dumping Ban

6-27-08

27 June 2008 (Bali, Indonesia.) - The week-long 9th Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Basel Convention ended today with little progress in breaking the deadlock that is preventing a global toxic waste dumping ban from entering the force of international law. An effort promoted by Japan, Canada, New Zealand and India to require the amendment to gather 128 ratifications, instead of 62 of those that agreed to it in 1995, met a vigorous rejection led by many African and Arab countries that seek the earliest entry into force possible.

Read the Press Release - 6-27-08

Speech of Mr. Jim Puckett (Basel Action Network) - World Forum on Waste Management for Human Health and Livelihood - 6-26-08

BAN Briefing Papers (Updated June 2008):

#1: The Basel Ban: A Triumph for Global Environmental Justice

#2: The US Must Ratify the Entire Basel Convention (or not at all)

#3: Annex VII Expansion? – Say 'No' to Attempts to Undo the Basel Ban

#4: The Basel Ban Amendment: Entry Into Force = Now!

#5: UN Failure: IMO Ship Scrap Treaty Legalizes Toxic Ship Dumping

#6: Package Deal: Four Treaties to Fight Pollution

#7: Hazardous Waste Recycling: No Justification for Toxic Trade

#8: Running From Basel: How the Convention is Deliberately Undermined

#9: The 3R Initiative: A Mask for Toxic Trade?

#10: Preventing the Digital Dump: Ending "Re-use Abuse"

#11: Building Toxic Waste Colonies: Japan’s Economic Partnership Agreement

BAN Paper Distributed at COP9:

Basel Convention Ban Amendment – Entry into Force Country Analysis

Additional Papers Distributed at COP9:

Summary of NGO Comments on the Kobe 3R Action Plan of the G8

The NGO Platform's Green Ship Recycling Standard – Draft 2

Additional Press:
Toxic waste export harder to control, despite Basel Convention - 7-1-08
Fail to agree on banning toxic waste exports at UN conference - 6-27-08

U.S. Government OK's Illegal Trafficking in Hazardous Electronic Waste

6-23-08

New "Responsible Recycling" Standard Slammed

23 June 2008 (Seattle/Bali, Indonesia) - On the opening day of the 9th Conference of Parties to the Basel Convention, taking place in Bali, Indonesia, the Basel Action Network (BAN) today slammed the US Environmental Protection Agency for sponsoring and funding the development of a U.S. e-waste recycling standard that knowingly allows US "recyclers" to continue to export some lead-tin soldered circuit boards to countries that are likely to forbid their importation from the US.

Read the Press Release - 6-23-08

BAN Press Release (International Version):
U.S. Government OK's Illegal Trafficking in Hazardous Electronic Waste - 6-23-08

BAN Press Release (US Version):
EPA's Electronic Waste Recycling Standard Denounced for Allowing Global Toxic Dumping - 6-23-08

BAN R2 Standard Critique:
EPA's "Responsible Recycling" Standards Won't Stop e-Waste Dumping

Environmental Victory for Proper Ship Scrapping!

5-16-08

Finally Decontaminated, the "Otapan" leaves Amsterdam for Turkey

16 May 2008 (Amsterdam, Netherlands) - Environmentalists toasted a major victory today as the saga of the controversial ship Otapan finally appears to be coming to a happy ending as it sailed Thursday night cleaned and decontaminated from Amsterdam to the Turkish shipbreaking yards of Aliaga, Turkey near Izmir.

Read the Press Release - 5-16-08

The Otapan Principles - 5-12-08

A warning for those recycling electronics

4-18-08

Concerns are raised about where junk taken to free events ends up

18 April 2008 - Green-minded consumers beware. Free electronics collection events touted as planet friendly aren't always as ecologically sound as they seem, says a watchdog group focused on preventing the export of dangerous e-waste.

Read the news article - 4-18-08

Additional Press:
The 'green' way to dump electronic junk - 4-21-08
Recycle That Computer Hidden in Your Closet - 4-20-08

NPR News Story on 1-800-GOT-JUNK?: Click Here to listen

BAN Press Releases:
Beware Free Electronic Waste Collection Events 'For the Environment' – Activists Voice Concern over 1-800-GOT-JUNK? April 19 Event - 4-15-08

EPA Sues US Ship Broker for Illegal Export but Allows 'Toxic Timebomb' to Sail Away

3-20-08

SS Oceanic Reported to be near Saipan

20 March 2008 (Saipan/Seattle) - Following a tip from the Basel Action Network (BAN) and Save the Classic Liners Campaign, the US Environmental Protection Agency has filed suit against a well known "cashbuyer” company that routinely buys ships from all over the world and sends them to the notorious breaking beaches of Bangladesh, Pakistan and India.

Read the Press Release - 3-20-08

Global Marketing Systems, Inc. Answer to EPA Complaint - 4-30-08

Global Shipping LLC Answer to EPA Complaint - 4-30-08

EPA Press Release:
U.S. EPA files complaint against ship brokers for violations of Toxic Substances Control Act - 3-18-08

EPA Complaint: www.ban.org/library/Oceanic_complaint.pdf

EPA Cover Letter: www.ban.org/library/Oceanic_cover letter.pdf

Waste Stream Analysis for SS Independence, conducted by ship remediation expert Mr. Werner F. Hoyt - 2-14-08

BAN Press Releases:
Fugitive Toxic Ocean Liner Now Believed to be Nearing Guam – Mariners are Asked to Report Whereabouts and to Avoid Selling Ship Fuel - 3-6-08

EPA called on to Stop Illegal Departure of Toxic Ocean Liner – Historic SS Independence loaded with PCBs and asbestos to be scrapped - 2-20-08

Environmentalists Denounce Illegal Departure of Toxic Ship from San Francisco –
SS Independence with PCBs and Asbestos Slipped Away in the Fog - 2-12-08

Additional Press:
The problem with ship scrapyards isn't what you think - 6-12-08
Global Marketing Systems responds to EPA investigation - 5-2-08
EPA alleges Md. firm illegally exported toxic ship for recycling - 3-25-08
Independence sails into a new set of problems - 3-21-08
Aged ships a toxic export - 3-19-08
Ocean Liner's Final Voyage to Asia under Scrutiny - 2-29-08
Last U.S. ocean liner heads into the unknown - 2-9-08

Beware Electronics "Recyclers" that Don't Recycle

1-7-08

Consumers Warned of e-Waste Recyclers that Ship Old TVs or Computers to Developing Countries -- Urged to Use "e-Stewards"

Read the Press Release - 1-7-08

Additional Press:
Warning over e-waste cowboys - 1-9-08

Environmentalists Warn of Illegal Export of Toxic Naval Vessel from Baltimore

11-13-07

Ship Loaded with Toxic PCBs and Asbestos Could "Slip Away in the Night"

Read the Press Release - 11-13-07

Legal Fillings:

Preliminary Injunction Order (Document 10) - 7-3-08

Decision on Defendant's Motion to Dismiss (Document 9) - 7-3-08

Additional Press:
EPA sues to keep decaying ship from leaving U.S. - 3-21-08
EPA sues to stop Sanctuary owner from towing boat to Greece - 3-19-08
Ex-hospital ship has toxic PCBs, report shows - 11-15-07
Plan for hospital ship questioned - 11-13-07

Proposed waste law to officially turn India into global waste destination: Environmentalists

11-14-07

Draft promotes waste trade over health and environment

Read the Press Release - 11-14-07

Warning: Washington State’s e-Waste Rules will Send Old Toxic Computers to Developing Countries

9-12-07

12 September 2007 (Seattle, Washington) - The Seattle-based toxic trade watchdog organization Basel Action Network (BAN) in a letter to the governor today warned that the draft rules for implementing Washington's upcoming program requiring electronics manufacturers to collect and recycle electronic waste across the state will allow foreign dumping of waste electronics containing toxic substances such as mercury, lead, beryllium and brominated flame retardants, and will cause more global harm than good.

Read the Press Release - 9-12-07

Images ©2007 Basel Action Network

Additional Press:
State recycling plan could be poison for other countries - 9-12-07

BAN's Letter to the Governor:
www.ban.org/library/Gregoireletter.html - 9-12-07

Detailed Response to the Proposed Regulations:
www.ban.org/library/ecology.html - 8-30-07

Information on the New Law: www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/swfa/eproductrecycle

For photos of devastating toxics e-dumping in developing countries see: www.ban.org/photogallery/index.html

Environmentalists Applaud Sony Recycling Announcement

8-16-07

Click the image to enlarge

16 August 2007 (San Jose, CA) - Environmentalists today applauded Sony USA's announcement that they are launching an electronics takeback program across the United States next month. Sony has stated that they will take back any used product with Sony's name on it, at no cost to consumers, and will eventually reach a goal of recycling a pound of old electronics for every new pound of products sold. Sony, which has the largest market share of television sales in the US, is the first consumer electronics company to make such a commitment in this country.

Read the Press Release - 8-16-07

Research Identifies U.S. Electronic Waste as Likely Source of Toxic Jewelry Imports from China

7-11-07