This institutional brochure presents an overview of more than a decade of work carried out by the Sustainable Recycling Industries (SRI) Programme, funded by SECO and implemented by Empa and the World Resources Forum (WRF), alongside national partners. It describes how the programme strengthened the foundations for sustainable, inclusive, and professionally managed e-waste recycling systems across five partner countries: Colombia, Egypt, Ghana, Peru, and South Africa. It charts the programme’s evolution from addressing hazardous informal practices to enabling circular economy opportunities, highlighting how improved policies, technical standards, and stronger value chains have transformed the e-waste recycling sector.
Through collaboration with national institutions and industry, SRI helped establish clearer regulatory frameworks, supported the creation of recycler associations, strengthened formal recycling capacity, and promoted the safe and environmentally sound treatment of complex waste fractions. The brochure also showcases SRI’s contribution to the international community of practice by leading the development of the ISO 59014 standard and generating a broad portfolio of practical tools and guidance.
The document is intended for policymakers, development partners, industry stakeholders, and practitioners interested in effective approaches to building sustainable recycling ecosystems.
