Expanding e-waste recycling in Bulgaria
--Project Proposal—
October 6, 2011
A. Project & Target Community Description
The Republic of Bulgaria, a recent member (2007) of the European Union, is plagued by a myriad of environmental problems that deter its economic and social development and progress. One such issue is its severely limited recycling capacity and more specifically, the lack of adequate e-waste recycling facilities in large and small cities and towns across the country. Nationally, Bulgaria is still struggling to develop separated garbage collection and utilization and proper disposal of electric and electronic equipment. Locally, households are not provided with the necessary bins to encourage them to separate recyclable materials from garbage. Bulgaria has developed traditions only as regards scrap and paper and still lacks facilities for recycling plastics and other kinds of waste[1]. As a result of these inefficiencies on the part of the government, e-waste is improperly disposed and pollutes large parts of the country, endangering people’s health on a daily basis. For instance, CRT monitors contain substances that are hazardous to the environment and living organisms. Since Bulgaria does not have hazardous waste incinerators, (one common method of handling this kind of waste) disposal of these materials is a real and great danger.
Meanwhile, the problem of improper e-waste management can be utilized to feed the growing demand for cheap, refurbished computers and other electronics. According to a report done by the Microsoft Corporation entitled “Refurbished PCs: Driving Social, Educational and Business Opportunities in Central and Eastern Europe,” detailing their new initiative (Unlimited Potential) to deliver low-cost, refurbished electronics to that part of the world, it is reported that in Bulgaria, more than 30% of PCs sold annually are refurbished and that demand is growing faster and faster each year. Even though Central and East European countries are still struggling with some legacies of their communist past (such as customs barriers on electronic imports), the ones that have already joined the EU and others who are on their way, are experiencing great demand for refurbished machines. This change is mostly due to the EUs legislation on electronic waste management[2].
The Bulgarian government needs to legislate and enforce stricter recycling standards not only to ensure its country’s integration into the European Union but also, and more importantly, to set an example of its efforts to protect its natural habitat, public health and the overall image of the country.
B. Expected Outcomes – Project Benefits, Impacts and Risks
The impacts of the project will include economic, environmental and social benefits for the Bulgarian people. From an economic standpoint, establishing more recycling facilities in the region will create more jobs, stimulate the economy, make use of existing materials or import refurbished/recycled material from abroad at a lower cost for the consumer, and finally, introduce a way to receive more funding from the European Union for new projects in the field of e-waste management. From an environmental perspective, the benefits include a decrease in e-waste, and non-biodegradable toxins being prevented from entering drinking water, air and soil. Socially, the project will make headway in changing people’s overall paradigm of waste management and ensuring a safer environment for the future generations.
One risk of this initiative might be a general perception that the local population might hold toward the origins of the project. Some people, perhaps a minority, might see the project as imposed from the economically stronger nations and might harbor some feelings of resentment. For this reason, it might be more beneficial to frame this project as coming primarily from the inside and not being hoisted onto the local population. Also, the project will need to be accompanied by a widespread PR campaign in the large cities or wherever possible. Educating people on the dangers of e-waste mismanagement and the revenues that might be in store if the nation takes advantage of this endeavor are two essential messages that need to be projected before the actual project takes off.
C. Team Composition:
Marina Ivanova-
Andrew O’Byrne-
Zakir Hussein-
D. Initial References:
1
e-Inclusion Recycling C.I.C.
http://www.e-inclusionrecycling.co.uk/
A for profit firm in Wales, U.K. They co-ordinate with local governments and other entities to collect e-waste. They then donate some of those collected machines(Computers, and cellphones) to e-Inclusion programs, while recycling the precious metals from the non-working units to fund their operations. An interview with this firm or another like it to understand their business model and practices would be very helpful to our project.
2
Elevated Blood Lead Levels of Children in Guiyu, an Electronic Waste Recycling Town in China
Xia Huo, Lin Peng, Xijin Xu, Liangkai Zheng, Bo Qiu, Zongli Qi, Bao Zhang, Dai Han, Zhongxian Piao
Environmental Health Perspectives Vol. 115, No. 7 (Jul., 2007), pp. 1113-1117
Published by: Brogan & Partners
Stable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/4619519
An overview of some of the current problems with e-waste that is improperly disposed of and the impact it can have on the communities where this waste is sent to.
3
Sofia - the least green capital of Europe - is still unable to handle its garbage problems
http://www.wtert.de/Default.asp?Menue=18&NewsPPV=11501
A brief article from August 15, 2011. Describes problems with the handling of waste in Bulgaria's capital of Sofia, our target area for this problem. A recycling program for all recyclable materials could help alleviate some of the burden that faces the city.
4
Recycling initiatives under the Globul green strategy
http://www.eco-innovation.eu/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=138%3Arecycling-initiatives-under-the-globul-green-strategy&catid=52%3Abulgaria&Itemid=52
http://globulgreen.bg/en/mobiles-recycling/
This is an overview of an e-waste recycling program implemented in Bulgaria. Globul Green focuses on recycling mobile phone batteries(By some estimates there are around 9.2million mobile phones in a country with 7.3 million people.) The program seeks to raise awareness of the pollution caused by disposing of e-waste improperly.
5
Recycling takes 24% share of treated EU waste
http://www.recyclinginternational.com/recycling-news/3430/research-and-legislation/europe/recycling-takes-24-share-treated-eu-waste
An article from Recycling International. In 2009 the European Union average for percentage of all waste that was recycled was 24%. In Bulgaria, in 2009, there was no recorded recycling by the eurostat.
6
First steps in the utilization of electronic waste in Bulgaria
http://bnr.bg/sites/en/Lifestyle/ScienceAndNature/Pages/0406electronicwaste.aspx
A report from the Bulgarian state radio channel in 2010 on plans to build a new e-waste recycling facility near Sofia. Around 2million Euros will be spent to build the plant. The hazardous waste generated in the recycling process will be passed on to a EU member country with the capabilities to handle it properly rather than a developing country where it would cause extensive harm to the environment and people in the communities it is sent to.
7
The potential of existing capacities for waste management in new EU member states
http://www.ask-eu.com/default.asp?Menue=20&ArtikelPPV=19283#
An article on the usage of waste materials to create concrete in Bulgaria. This saved on city from problems with it's landfill shortage and spared the city the expense of building a garbage incinerator to dispose of the excess materials.
8
An Economic Analysis of WEEE Policies: Case Studies from Germany and Japan
http://www.ask-eu.com/default.asp?Menue=20&ArtikelPPV=21003
This is a journal article on the economic costs and benefits of following the WEEE Directive set forth by the EU that dictates the handling of E-waste. Germany and Japan were among the models for the polices in the WEEE Directive.
Resumes:
Andrew T. O'Byrne Jr.
Location: Aiken, South Carolina
Education and Work History
2008- Insurance agent in life and health lines.
2011
2011- Co-owner and publisher of a daily newspaper to begin publication in November of 2011
2007- Undergraduate student at University of South Carolina majoring in business
2009
2009- Undergraduate student at Harvard Extension School with a concentration in
present economics
2007- Chairman of the Aiken County Young Republicans Club
2009
Hobbies and Interests
Equestrian sports, local politics
Marina Ivanova
SUMMARY
Graduate of Harvard University. skilled in foreign languages, experienced in writing, copy-editing, familiar with history, government, religious studies, Russian and East European affairs, Buddhism, international relations. Recognized for academic excellence, written and oral communication, web maintenance, editing, analytical writing, news releases, events planning, language tutoring, research, administrative skills. U.S. permanent resident.
EDUCATION
Harvard University, Extension School, Cambridge, MA M.A. -Sept., 2011-present
Concentration: Environmental Management and Sustainability
Harvard University, Divinity School, Cambridge, MA M.A. - June, 2008
Concentration: Religion and Culture with subfield: Tibetan Buddhism
Connecticut College, New London, CT B.A. - May, 2006
Major: Slavic Studies - Russian language, literature, history, philosophy, government
Minor: Religious Studies - Religion and Modernity, Islamic thought, Japanese Philosophy
Language: Fluent in Bulgarian, English, Russian, some Serbian, reading ability in German, Tibetan
WORK EXPERIENCE
Weatherhead Center for International Affairs, Harvard University Aug. 2008-present
Research Assistant • Faculty website maintenance, web support, web publishing, HTML
Event Coordinator • Gathering relevant data for research projects; research and source analysis
• Editing and proofreading book manuscripts, journal articles and other publications
• Coordinating academic conferences at the center, faculty panels, and other events
• Organizing various center events, conferences and seminars
Andover-Harvard Theological Library, Harvard Divinity School Sept. 2007-May 2008
Reference Desk • Answered reference questions and introduced students and faculty to
Assistant various web resources and software
• Facilitated student and faculty research by aiding them in finding appropriate
Sources (mostly web)
• Maintained and organized reference book collection, including book shelving
• Assisted students and faculty in their use of library printed and digital resources
Hauser Center for Non-Profit Organizations, Harvard Law School Jan.2007- May 2007
Copy Editor • Edited scholarly articles to be published in economic and legal
journals by Prof. Elizabeth Keating, visiting lecturer at KSG and Harvard Law
School
• Proofread articles, improved grammar, style, and clarity
• Offered suggestions on style and layout
• Served as fact checker
The St. Petersburg Times, Russia June-July 2005
Department • Researched and edited content for major news releases for World News page.
Editor • Completed editing for every issue before publication on a tight deadline
• Managed layout of World News page using appropriate software
• Monitored print media coverage (Russian and English)
• Compiled and organized relevant news stories into folders to be checked by senior editor
• Attended major conference on the poetry of Anna Akhmatova at the Anna Akhmatova Museum in St. Petersburg
• Became familiar with Chicago Manual of Style
Student Advisory Board, Slavic Studies Department, Connecticut College Sept. 2005- Dec. 2005
Student • Organized department events
Representative • Managed faculty evaluations
• Initiated proposals at board meetings
College Relations, Connecticut College Jan. 2004- Dec. 2005
Media • Wrote articles about students and staff for college website; web maintenance
Intern • Compiled data for folders and files, generated spreadsheets
• Edited articles for college website, proofread
• Conducted numerous interviews with students, gathering relevant
information for profile articles working on a deadline
• Initiated and maintained student-faculty blog for SATA Prague 2005
COMMUNITY SERVICE EXPERIENCE
Stop Child Trafficking Now, Boston, MA March, 2010-present
PR/Media • Assisting in the organization of SCTNow Walk in Boston, 2010
Specialist • Web maintenance and public outreach to sponsors
• Weekly blogging
• Handling press releases
• Editing, proofreading
SAVE, Connecticut College Fall 2002
Member • Organized rally regarding issues with Shaw's Marketplace
• Negotiated with dining services/GMO campaign
• Wrote articles for newspaper
• Managed Office Depot Table at Crozier Williams Student Center
• Assisted with organization of Earth Day 2003
COMPUTER SKILLS
Proficiency in Internet, Power Point, Word Processing, Excel, Photoshop, Layout, RefWorks, InDesign, DreamWeaver, Adobe Acrobat, HTML, Adobe Flash, Illustrator, some Processing (programming)
INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE
Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic Spring 2005
Student • Curriculum included courses in art history, literature,
Czech language, and Czech history
St. Petersburg State University, Russia Summer 2005
Student • Curriculum included courses in Russian language, history, culture,
journalism, current events
Zakir I Hussein
EDUCATION
September 2011 - Bachelor of Arts – Sustainable Develop. Calgary, AB
Environmental Sciences, Harvard University
September 2007- Bachelor of Science – P. Geology. Calgary, AB
Geological Sciences, University of Calgary
EXPERIENCE
July.‘10 – Present Founder, Alberta Clean Tech Ltd. Calgary, AB
Alberta’s waste oil collection agency focusing on alternative energy such as biofuel for North America.
§ Preparation of various financial statements, analyzing both financial strengths and weaknesses of the company and making on-going recommendations
§ Determining benchmarks for specific product categories and executing a strategic plan to meet budgetary goals
§ Constant financial analysis of company assets and continuous observation of product purchasing
§ Maintaining a strong financial structure for the company, thus allowing for expansion and growth
§ On-going team work with staff to ensure financial goals and expectations are being achieved on a monthly basis
May. ‘09 – Present CEO, Organo Energy Inc. Calgary, AB
One of Canada’s R&D firms focusing on reducing Green House Emissions – consisting of over 5 Patents Pending
§ Developed and executed the strategic plan for the company’s short and long term goals
§ Increased annual revenues in the second operating year by more than %
§ Increased profit margins by % on average and designed a continuous purchasing plan, which consistently yielded a positive return each year
§ Analyzed the operational results of the corporation and identified new opportunities for future development
PERSONAL
May. ‘11 – Present President, SIFE (Students in Free Enterprise) Calgary, AB A non-profit, student run, business organization that develops positive initiatives within the community to do good
§ Directing 150+ members and 13 projects, creating $420,000 of economic opportunity
§ Implemented a mentorship program to aid the relationship between board members and project managers
§ Helped projects connect with corporate sponsors and partners including E&Y, ConocoPhillips and Worley Parsons
§ Developed the strategic plan, helping to maintain the long term sustainability of the organization
Sept. ‘09 – Apr. ‘10 SIFE Calgary Board Member, Push Project Calgary, AB
§ Helped plan and organize events throughout the year that encourage participation from
500+ youth and adult members
§ Created and developed effective ways to ensure the partnership met the expectations of its members and achieved its short-term goals