Lima, 3 February 2017: The SRI e-waste training course at SENATI’s Centre for Environmental Technologies met high interest from the government and general public in Peru. Speaking at the opening day Environment Vice-Minister Marcos Alegre presented the key elements of the new Peruvian Law on Solid Waste Management. “Waste management has to be seen as resource management. Our recyclers are our future miners for raw materials” Alegre stated. Environmental Minister Elsa Galarza visited the training the following day and she said: “Peruvians need to know what to do with their obsolete electronics and MINAM has a commitment to raise public awareness”. Her visit was broadcasted life in the morning news of several Peruvian TV stations.

The training included practical exercises for the dismantling of electrical and electronic appliances, valorisation and disposal options for valuable and hazardous fractions respectively, and the discussion of economic aspects for professional recycling companies. The course benefited of the technical experience from Elisabeth Herbeck of the Dismantling and Recycling Centre DRZ Vienna, Austria. The ultimate goal of the SENATI training is to further professionalize the e-waste recycling industry in Peru by establishing an nationwide education curricula for future recycling professionals.

The public opening day was co-hosted by the Environment Ministry (MINAM) and was attended by more than 350 participants. The day also included a comprehensive introduction into e-waste management on a global scale by Mathias Schluep (WRF Switzerland), a status update for Latin America by Carlos Hernandez (CNPML Colombia), and and overview of the SRI project activities in Peru by Luis Briceño (IPES). The e-waste training course was organised by our SRI partner IPES for professional instructors of SENATI’s Centre for Environmental Technologies and Peruvian e-waste recyclers. SENATI is the Peruvian National Training Centre for Industrial Workers.