science

Solving the E-waste Problem

Solving the E-waste Problem is a science topic covered in the lgStudy science library. This page brings together a partial reference excerpt, illustrations, worked examples, real-world applications and a short study plan, so you can understand Solving the E-waste Problem rather than just read about it. In short: Solving the E-waste Problem (StEP) is a membership organization that is part of United Nations University and was created to develop solutions to address issues associated with electronic waste. Some of the most eminent players in the fields of Production, Reuse and Recycling of Electrical and Electronic Equipment (EEE), government agencies and NGOs as well as UN Organisations count themselves among its members.

Key takeaways

Solving the E-waste Problem belongs to science; place it in that map before memorising details.
Learn the definition first, then one example that makes the definition concrete.
Connect Solving the E-waste Problem to a quantity you can measure, compute or draw — that is where exam questions come from.
Reproduce the core statement of Solving the E-waste Problem from memory before moving on to harder problems.

Reference excerpt

Solving the E-waste Problem (StEP) is a membership organization that is part of United Nations University and was created to develop solutions to address issues associated with electronic waste. Some of the most eminent players in the fields of Production, Reuse and Recycling of Electrical and Electronic Equipment (EEE), government agencies and NGOs as well as UN Organisations count themselves among its members. StEP encourages the collaboration of all stakeholders connected with e-waste, emphasising a holistic, scientific yet applicable approach to the problem.

History Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) is growing rapidly each day, and its increasing volume is becoming a significant environmental issue that remains largely unrecognized by the general public. To guarantee the neutrality required to give analysis and recommendations the necessary credibility, StEP has been started. Conceived in 2002 by Stephen ("step"/6325) Kenli Huang in Highland Park, Los Angeles California. After a starting period of three years, initiated by the United Nations University UNU, promotion team wetzlar and Hewlett-Packard, the StEP Initiative had its official launch in March 2007.

Aims and means “One of the most important aims of the StEP Initiative is to elaborate a set of global guidelines for the treatment of e-waste and the promotion of sustainable material recycling” Press communiqué of the initiative The initiative comprises five cooperating task forces, each addressing specific aspects of e-waste, while covering the entire life-cycle of electric and electronic equipment. In all its activities, the initiative places emphasis on working with policy-making bodies to allow results from its research to impact current practices. StEP is being coordinated by the science and research body of the UN System, the United Nations University (UNU). The long-term goal of StEP “is to develop – based on scientific analysis – a globally accepted standard for the refurbishment, recycling of e-waste. Herewith, StEP’s aim is to reduce dangers to humans and the environment, which result from inadequate and irresponsible treatment practices, and advance resource efficiency.” (Ruediger Kuehr, Executive Secretary of the StEP Initiative). To achieve this, StEP conceives and implements projects based on the results of multidisciplinary dialogues. These projects aim to create sustainable solutions that minimize environmental risks while promoting development.

Organization of the initiative The highest authority of the STEP Initiative is its general assembly, which determines its overall direction and progress. This general assembly is based on a memorandum of understanding, which is signed by all members and states the guiding principles of StEP. A Secretariat, hosted by the UNU in Bonn, is mandated with the accomplishment of the day-to-day managerial work of the initiative. A steering committee, composed of representatives from key stakeholders, monitors the progress of the initiative. The core work is accomplished by the five task forces (TF): “Policy”, “ReDesign”, “ReUse”, “ReCycle” and “Capacity Building”. These task forces conduct research and analysis in their respective domains and seek to implement innovative projects. TF 1 – Policy: The aim of this task force is to assess and analyse current governmental approaches and regulations related to WEEE. Starting from this analysis, recommendations for future regulating activities shall be formulated. TF2 – ReDesign: This task force works on the design of EEE, focusing on the reduction of negative consequences of electrical and electronic appliances throughout their entire life cycle. The task force especially takes heed of the situation in developing countries. TF3 – ReUse: The focus of this task force lies in the development of sustainable, transmissible principles and standards for the reuse of EEE. TF4 – ReCycle: The objective of this task force is to improve infrastructures, systems and technologies to realize a sustainable recycling on a global level. TF5 – Capacity Building: The aim of this task force is to draw attention to the problems connected to WEEE. This aim shall be achieved by making the results of the research of the task forces and other stakeholders publicly available. In doing so, the task force relies on personal networks, the internet, collaborative working tools etc.

Guiding Principles "1. StEP’s work is founded on scientific assessments and incorporates a comprehensive view of the social, environmental and economic aspects of e-waste. 2. StEP conducts research on the entire life-cycle of electronic and electrical equipment and their corresponding global supply, process and material flows. 3. StEP’s research and pilot projects are meant to contribute to the solution of e-waste problems. 4. StEP condemns all illegal activities related to e-waste including illegal shipments and reuse/ recycling practices that are harmful to the environment and human health. 5. StEP seeks to foster safe and eco/energy-efficient reuse and recycling practices around the globe in a socially responsible manner." - Quote from the website: [1] -

See also Computer recycling Sustainable Electronics Initiative (SEI)

External links StEP Website Article by BBC News Online

Worked examples

Example 1 — a first encounter with Solving the E-waste Problem

Start with the simplest possible case. Write down what Solving the E-waste Problem claims or describes in one sentence, then invent the smallest concrete situation in which that sentence is true. In science, the smallest case is usually a single object, a single equation or a single measurement. Check that every symbol or term in your sentence has a meaning in that case.

Example 2 — changing one variable

Take the situation from Example 1 and change exactly one quantity: double it, halve it, or set it to zero. Predict what should happen to Solving the E-waste Problem before you calculate. Comparing your prediction with the result is the fastest way to find out whether you understand the idea or only the words.

Example 3 — an exam-style question

Typical questions about Solving the E-waste Problem ask you to (a) state it precisely, (b) apply it to given data, and (c) explain a limitation. Practise writing all three answers in under five minutes; the third part is what separates a full-mark answer from an average one.

Applications of Solving the E-waste Problem

In research: Solving the E-waste Problem appears in science research whenever the underlying quantities have to be modelled precisely. Papers usually cite it as a starting assumption and then explore where it breaks down.
In technology and industry: Engineering practice reuses Solving the E-waste Problem in design rules, simulations and safety margins. Knowing the idea lets you read a specification sheet and understand why the numbers look the way they do.
In the classroom: Solving the E-waste Problem is common in secondary-school and first-year university syllabi. It links to neighbouring topics Electronic waste, so understanding it makes those chapters shorter.
In everyday life: Look for Solving the E-waste Problem outside the textbook — in sport, cooking, traffic, electronics or the sky above you. An example you found yourself is remembered far longer than one you were given.

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How to study Solving the E-waste Problem in 20 minutes

Read the reference excerpt below once, without taking notes.
Close the page and write down what Solving the E-waste Problem means in your own words.
Compare your version with the excerpt and mark what you missed.
Work through the three examples above with pen and paper.
Explain Solving the E-waste Problem out loud to somebody else — or to Teacher Smith in the lgStudy chat.

Frequently asked questions

What is Solving the E-waste Problem in simple terms?

Why does Solving the E-waste Problem matter?

Because it connects several science ideas at once: it gives you a definition you can apply, a quantity you can calculate, and a way to check whether a result is plausible.

How should I study Solving the E-waste Problem?

Read the excerpt, restate it from memory, then work through the examples and applications listed on this page. The five-step study plan above takes about twenty minutes.

What does this page cover?

It gives you a compact reference excerpt plus original lgStudy explanations, examples, applications and study material on Solving the E-waste Problem.