Basel Action Network
Encyclopedia
The Basel Action Network (BAN) is an non-governmental charitable organization
working to combat the export of toxic waste
, toxic technology and toxic products from industrialized societies
to developing countries. BAN operates globally but is based in Seattle, Washington, United States, with a partner office in the Philippines
. BAN is named after the Basel Convention
, a United Nations
treaty designed to control and prevent the dumping of toxic wastes, particularly on developing countries. BAN serves as a watchdog and promoter of the Basel Convention and its decisions. The organization serves as a definitive source of electronic waste and trade information, an advocacy group for international policy concerning electronic trade
, research and investigations of illegal ewaste exportation, and key player in various BAN campaigns.
Electronics Stewardship campaign seeks to prevent toxic trade in hazardous electronic waste and includes a certification program for responsible electronics recycling known as the e-Stewards Initiative. It is available to electronics recyclers after they prove to have environmentally and socially responsible recycling techniques following audits conducted by accredited certifying bodies. Recyclers can become e-Steward certified after proving that they follow all national and international laws concerning electronic waste and its proper disposal, which includes the ban of to exporting, land dumping
, incineration
, and use of prison labor. When the e-Stewards initiative was initially started with the Electronics TakeBack Coalition, it was called "The Electronics Recycler's Pledge of True Stewardship". In the beginning, the initiative verified a recycler's participation through "desk" and paper audits only. The e-Stewards certification, however, has been updated and requires compliance verification by a third party.
disposal of end-of-life shipping vessels. The overall purpose of the platform is to stop the illegal dumping of toxic waste
traveling from developed countries to undeveloped countries. The platform is focused on finding more sustainable, environmentally and socially responsible disposal techniques of disposing of such wastes, which can be achieved through a system where the polluter will be responsible for paying any fees associated with the legal and safe disposal of ships and other marine vessels. The NGO platform endorses the principles outlined in the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and their Disposal.
The e-Stewards website hosts three different BAN films regarding the current ewaste problem and electronic waste disposal in developing countries.
Recently BAN's work has been featured on 60 Minutes
in order to bring the ewaste problem into the limelight.
International nongovernmental organization
The World Bank defines a non-governmental organization as "private organizations that pursue activities to relieve suffering, promote the interests of the poor, protect the environment, provide basic social services, or undertake community development"...
working to combat the export of toxic waste
Toxic waste
Toxic waste is waste material that can cause death or injury to living creatures. It spreads quite easily and can contaminate lakes and rivers. The term is often used interchangeably with “hazardous waste”, or discarded material that can pose a long-term risk to health or environment.Toxic waste...
, toxic technology and toxic products from industrialized societies
Developed country
A developed country is a country that has a high level of development according to some criteria. Which criteria, and which countries are classified as being developed, is a contentious issue...
to developing countries. BAN operates globally but is based in Seattle, Washington, United States, with a partner office in the Philippines
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
. BAN is named after the Basel Convention
Basel Convention
The Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal, usually known simply as the Basel Convention, is an international treaty that was designed to reduce the movements of hazardous waste between nations, and specifically to prevent transfer of...
, a United Nations
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
treaty designed to control and prevent the dumping of toxic wastes, particularly on developing countries. BAN serves as a watchdog and promoter of the Basel Convention and its decisions. The organization serves as a definitive source of electronic waste and trade information, an advocacy group for international policy concerning electronic trade
Electronic trading
Electronic trading, sometimes called etrading, is a method of trading securities , foreign exchange or financial derivatives electronically...
, research and investigations of illegal ewaste exportation, and key player in various BAN campaigns.
Campaigns
BAN runs three main campaigns, all of which are focused on decreasing the amount of toxins entering the surrounding environment. Many of the campaigns are focused on protecting underdeveloped countries from serving as a toxic dump of the developed countries of the world.The e-Stewards Initiative
BAN's e-StewardsE-Stewards
The e-Stewards programs are initiatives of the Basel Action Network , a Seattle based non-profit watchdog organization that works to prevent trade of hazardous waste from rich to poor countries in accordance with the international Basel Treaty and the Basel Ban Amendment...
Electronics Stewardship campaign seeks to prevent toxic trade in hazardous electronic waste and includes a certification program for responsible electronics recycling known as the e-Stewards Initiative. It is available to electronics recyclers after they prove to have environmentally and socially responsible recycling techniques following audits conducted by accredited certifying bodies. Recyclers can become e-Steward certified after proving that they follow all national and international laws concerning electronic waste and its proper disposal, which includes the ban of to exporting, land dumping
Environmental dumping
Environmental dumping is the practice of transfrontier shipment of waste from one country to another. The goal is to take the waste to a country that has less strict environmental laws, or environmental laws that are not strictly enforced...
, incineration
Incineration
Incineration is a waste treatment process that involves the combustion of organic substances contained in waste materials. Incineration and other high temperature waste treatment systems are described as "thermal treatment". Incineration of waste materials converts the waste into ash, flue gas, and...
, and use of prison labor. When the e-Stewards initiative was initially started with the Electronics TakeBack Coalition, it was called "The Electronics Recycler's Pledge of True Stewardship". In the beginning, the initiative verified a recycler's participation through "desk" and paper audits only. The e-Stewards certification, however, has been updated and requires compliance verification by a third party.
Green Ship Recycling
BAN has teamed up with several other non-governmental organizations(NGOs), including Greenpeace to form the NGO Platform on Shipbreaking. The platform is focused on the responsible ship breakingShip breaking
Ship breaking or ship demolition is a type of ship disposal involving the breaking up of ships for scrap recycling. Most ships have a lifespan of a few decades before there is so much wear that refitting and repair becomes uneconomical. Ship breaking allows materials from the ship, especially...
disposal of end-of-life shipping vessels. The overall purpose of the platform is to stop the illegal dumping of toxic waste
Toxic waste
Toxic waste is waste material that can cause death or injury to living creatures. It spreads quite easily and can contaminate lakes and rivers. The term is often used interchangeably with “hazardous waste”, or discarded material that can pose a long-term risk to health or environment.Toxic waste...
traveling from developed countries to undeveloped countries. The platform is focused on finding more sustainable, environmentally and socially responsible disposal techniques of disposing of such wastes, which can be achieved through a system where the polluter will be responsible for paying any fees associated with the legal and safe disposal of ships and other marine vessels. The NGO platform endorses the principles outlined in the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and their Disposal.
Basel Convention and Basel Ban Implementation Campaign
BAN seeks the earliest ratification and adoption of the Basel Convention and the Basel Ban Amendment (Decision III/1, Basel), which bans the export of hazardous wastes from developed to developing countries.Videos
BAN actively creates and publishes videos exposing the current ewaste problem.The e-Stewards website hosts three different BAN films regarding the current ewaste problem and electronic waste disposal in developing countries.
Recently BAN's work has been featured on 60 Minutes
60 Minutes
60 Minutes is an American television news magazine, which has run on CBS since 1968. The program was created by producer Don Hewitt who set it apart by using a unique style of reporter-centered investigation....
in order to bring the ewaste problem into the limelight.
See also
- Computer recyclingComputer recyclingComputer recycling or electronic recycling is the recycling or reuse of computers or other electronics. It includes both finding another use for materials , and having systems dismantled in a manner that allows for the safe extraction of the constituent materials for reuse in other...
- Electronic waste in the United StatesElectronic waste in the United StatesElectronic waste in the United States is being addressed with regulations at a state and federal level.Ninety percent of US e-waste is exported to China and Nigeria.-Federal:...
- Environmental issues in the United StatesEnvironmental issues in the United StatesAs with many other countries there are a number of environmental issues in the United States.-Climate change:The United States is the second largest emitter, after China, of carbon dioxide from the burning of fossil fuels. The energy policy of the United States is widely debated; many call on the...
- e-StewardsE-StewardsThe e-Stewards programs are initiatives of the Basel Action Network , a Seattle based non-profit watchdog organization that works to prevent trade of hazardous waste from rich to poor countries in accordance with the international Basel Treaty and the Basel Ban Amendment...
Further references
- Metech Announces Support for BAN E-Stewards Program
- USA's trashed TVs, computer monitors can make toxic mess BAN Founder Jim Puckett expects much more e-waste will be exported from the U.S. once the broadcasting industry switches to digital signals on Feb. 17 and millions of households junk their old analog TV sets.
- Responsible Electronics Recyclers
- "After Dump, What Happens To Electronic Waste?", interview with Jim Puckett by Terry GrossTerry GrossTerry Gross is the host and co-executive producer of Fresh Air, an interview format radio show produced by WHYY-FM in Philadelphia and distributed throughout the United States by National Public Radio....
, Fresh AirFresh AirFresh Air is an American radio talk show broadcast on National Public Radio stations across the United States. The show is produced by WHYY-FM in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Its longtime host is Terry Gross. , the show was syndicated to 450 stations and claimed 4.5 million listeners. The show...
, NPRNPRNPR, formerly National Public Radio, is a privately and publicly funded non-profit membership media organization that serves as a national syndicator to a network of 900 public radio stations in the United States. NPR was created in 1970, following congressional passage of the Public Broadcasting...
, December 21, 2010.