O objetivo do presente trabalho consistiu na análise jurídica da responsabilidade compartilhada pelo ciclo de vida do produto (RCCVP) e suas principais implicações na cadeia de resíduos eletroeletrônicos, no contexto brasileiro da Política Nacional de Resíduos Sólidos, instituída pela Lei Federal n. 12.305/2010 (PNRS). A análise desenvolvida compreendeu os principais deveres relacionados à prevenção de resíduos e à logística reversa, com um enfoque especial na gestão integrada de resíduos eletroeletrônicos. Baseada nos princípios do poluidor-pagador, da cooperação, da prevenção e da precaução, a RCCVP impõe à cadeia de suprimentos a priorização de medidas de prevenção e redução de resíduos por meio de uma concepção ecológica (ecodesign) para produtos e embalagens, bem como pelo reaproveitamento de materiais residuais como insumos, seja em seu próprio ciclo, seja em outros ciclos produtivos, inclusive mediante sistemas de logística reversa e coleta seletiva, estendendo a responsabilidade do berço ao berço e flertando com um modelo econômico circular. Com vistas a desestimular a estratégia da obsolescência planejada de qualidade, a relevante informação sobre o tempo de vida útil de cada produto durável, em especial a dos eletroeletrônicos, deverá ser ampla e obrigatoriamente prestada pela cadeia produtiva, para que os consumidores, uma vez informados e esclarecidos sobre a sua durabilidade objetivamente aferida, tenham condições reais de exercer, na prática, o seu direito e ao mesmo tempo dever de efetuar escolhas de consumo (ou desconsumo), da maneira mais consciente possível, inclusive sob a perspectiva ecológica. No momento, encontra-se em andamento no país o processo de construção de acordo setorial de abrangência nacional para implementação da logística reversa de eletroeletrônicos de uso doméstico, inclusive os provenientes do setor de telefonia móvel. / The aim of this work was the legal analysis of product lifecycle shared responsibility and its implications in the supply chain of waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE), within the scope of the Brazilian National Solid Waste Policy, established by Federal Law 12,305/2010. The analysis encompassed the main duties related to waste prevention and reverse logistics, with a particular focus on the WEEE integrated management. Based on the principles of polluter pays, cooperation, prevention and precaution, the product lifecycle shared responsibility requires the supply chain to prioritize waste prevention and reduction measures through an eco-design approach for products and packaging, as well as the reuse of waste materials as inputs, either in its own cycle, or in other production cycles, including through reverse logistics systems and selective collection, extending responsibility \"cradle to cradle\" and flirting with a circular economic model. In order to discourage the planned obsolescence strategy, the relevant information about the lifetime of each durable product, especially of electronics, should be comprehensive and mandatorily provided by the production chain, so that consumers, once informed and enlightened about its durability objectively measured, have actual ability to exercise in practice their right and duty at the same time to make consumer choices (or non-consumption), the most sensible way possible, even from the ecological point of view. Procedure for implementation of consumer WEEE take-back systems with a national scope, through preparation of Sector Agreement, is currently in progress in Brazil, including those from mobile industry.

An evaluation of electronic waste (e-waste) management in Ba-Phalaborwa Local Municipality was undertaken in this study. The aim of the study was to evaluate the electronic waste management practices such as generation, storage, collection, transportation and disposal in Ba-Phalaborwa Local Municipality. This was achieved through questionnaires distributed to residents in Namakgale and Phalaborwa residential areas, structured interviews with municipal workers under the Environmental Health Division and observation in the landfill site and collection points were also used in gathering information on the electronic waste management. In the study it was found that a wide range of electronic waste is generated and lighting equipment, small household equipment and ICT equipment are disposed of in large numbers in the study area. The municipality is responsible for waste management in the study area. Electronic waste generated is stored, collected and disposed together with all other domestic waste in the area. No segregation or recycling at household level was evident. It was also found that the municipality does not have a formal relationship with electronic waste recycling companies to eliminate the flow of electronic waste from households to the landfill site. A lack of own regulatory and by-laws on electronic waste was noted and seemed to be one of the challenges the municipality is facing. The findings highlighted the low level of community awareness regarding electronic waste. The study concluded that there is a lack or absence of good management of electronic waste storage, collection, transportation in the Ba-Phalaborwa Local Municipality. From the study, it is recommended that there is a need for meaningful community awareness, environmental education, formulation of by-laws and formal recycling projects for effective electronic waste in Ba-Phalaborwa Local Municipality. / Environmental Sciences / M. Sc. (Environmental Management)

O objetivo do presente trabalho consistiu na análise jurídica da responsabilidade compartilhada pelo ciclo de vida do produto (RCCVP) e suas principais implicações na cadeia de resíduos eletroeletrônicos, no contexto brasileiro da Política Nacional de Resíduos Sólidos, instituída pela Lei Federal n. 12.305/2010 (PNRS). A análise desenvolvida compreendeu os principais deveres relacionados à prevenção de resíduos e à logística reversa, com um enfoque especial na gestão integrada de resíduos eletroeletrônicos. Baseada nos princípios do poluidor-pagador, da cooperação, da prevenção e da precaução, a RCCVP impõe à cadeia de suprimentos a priorização de medidas de prevenção e redução de resíduos por meio de uma concepção ecológica (ecodesign) para produtos e embalagens, bem como pelo reaproveitamento de materiais residuais como insumos, seja em seu próprio ciclo, seja em outros ciclos produtivos, inclusive mediante sistemas de logística reversa e coleta seletiva, estendendo a responsabilidade do berço ao berço e flertando com um modelo econômico circular. Com vistas a desestimular a estratégia da obsolescência planejada de qualidade, a relevante informação sobre o tempo de vida útil de cada produto durável, em especial a dos eletroeletrônicos, deverá ser ampla e obrigatoriamente prestada pela cadeia produtiva, para que os consumidores, uma vez informados e esclarecidos sobre a sua durabilidade objetivamente aferida, tenham condições reais de exercer, na prática, o seu direito e ao mesmo tempo dever de efetuar escolhas de consumo (ou desconsumo), da maneira mais consciente possível, inclusive sob a perspectiva ecológica. No momento, encontra-se em andamento no país o processo de construção de acordo setorial de abrangência nacional para implementação da logística reversa de eletroeletrônicos de uso doméstico, inclusive os provenientes do setor de telefonia móvel. / The aim of this work was the legal analysis of product lifecycle shared responsibility and its implications in the supply chain of waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE), within the scope of the Brazilian National Solid Waste Policy, established by Federal Law 12,305/2010. The analysis encompassed the main duties related to waste prevention and reverse logistics, with a particular focus on the WEEE integrated management. Based on the principles of polluter pays, cooperation, prevention and precaution, the product lifecycle shared responsibility requires the supply chain to prioritize waste prevention and reduction measures through an eco-design approach for products and packaging, as well as the reuse of waste materials as inputs, either in its own cycle, or in other production cycles, including through reverse logistics systems and selective collection, extending responsibility \"cradle to cradle\" and flirting with a circular economic model. In order to discourage the planned obsolescence strategy, the relevant information about the lifetime of each durable product, especially of electronics, should be comprehensive and mandatorily provided by the production chain, so that consumers, once informed and enlightened about its durability objectively measured, have actual ability to exercise in practice their right and duty at the same time to make consumer choices (or non-consumption), the most sensible way possible, even from the ecological point of view. Procedure for implementation of consumer WEEE take-back systems with a national scope, through preparation of Sector Agreement, is currently in progress in Brazil, including those from mobile industry.