This course has been certified by the CPD Certification Service as conforming to continuing professional development principles. Find out more.

Tackle e-waste through inclusive and sustainable recycling solutions

Electronic waste (e-waste) is one of the fastest-growing waste streams globally—and one of the most complex to manage.

On this four-week course from EIT RawMaterials, you’ll explore how inclusive, environmentally sound recycling practices can protect health, reduce harm, and generate economic opportunity.

Begin your learning journey by exploring the global scale of the e-waste crisis. Examine the environmental and health consequences of unsafe recycling practices, such as open burning and illegal dumping, particularly in low-income regions.

You’ll learn how thinking of e-waste as a resource rather than a hazard can help support communities and ecosystems.

Explore sustainable solutions and inclusive models

Unpack international frameworks like the Basel Convention and ISO 59014:2024 that guide environmentally sound management (ESM) of e-waste.

Learn how strategies like eco-design, extended producer responsibility, and informal sector integration contribute to circular economy models.

Through case studies, you’ll discover how well-managed collection systems and recycling technologies can drive sustainable outcomes.

Apply your learning to real-world challenges

Explore how e-waste policy, business innovation, and community engagement intersect with the use of interactive tools and scenario-based exercises.

Whether you work in policy, healthcare, education, or business, you’ll leave this course with practical steps to improve e-waste management in your context—and help drive change for people and the planet.

Syllabus

Week 1
Managing e-waste recycling for a greener future
- Welcome to the course
  In this section, we introduce you to the course structure, team, and navigation. You'll explore key articles, introduce yourself to fellow learners, and learn how to engage with the content effectively.
- Environmentally sound management
  Environmentally sound management (ESM) of e-waste ensures that recycling facilities operate safely, protecting human health and the environment, while also developing sustainable and profitable businesses.
- The why, what, and how of environmentally sound management
  This is a brief introduction to what Environmentally sound management (ESM) and how we achieve it.
- Technology and innovation
  E-waste recycling is a booming area for technology innovation. Find out about the hot trends and how you can spot an innovative technology.
Week 2
Sustainable management in action
- Environmentally Sound Management (ESM) in action
  Can you help the small country of Sustania tackle its e-waste challenges and opportunities using environmentally sound management approaches? Play this scenario-based mini-game to find out!
- Inclusive recycling guidelines
  Learn about e-waste recycling in developing countries: explore harmful practices and their impacts, discover benefits of responsible recycling, and understand ISO principles for sustainable secondary metal management.
- Negative impacts of unsound e-waste recycling activities
  Next we'll learn about the negative impacts of improper e-waste recovery processes, and also how good practices have positive impacts on people’s health the environment, and the climate.
- Framework for inclusive and sustainable recycling
  A global framework standard for sustainable management of secondary metals along with guidance principles.
- End of week 2
  In this activity, we recap on the key points from the course and check your understanding.

Who is this accredited by?

The CPD Certification Service:

The CPD Certification Service was established in 1996 and is the leading independent CPD accreditation institution operating across industry sectors to complement the CPD policies of professional and academic bodies.

When would you like to start?

Start straight away and join a global classroom of learners. If the course hasn’t started yet you’ll see the future date listed below.

Available now

Learning on this course

On every step of the course you can meet other learners, share your ideas and join in with active discussions in the comments.

What will you achieve?

By the end of the course, you‘ll be able to...

Explain what is included in an environmentally sound management (ESM) framework
Identify, based on a case study, how ESM can be achieved through co-operation and guidance at international, regional, national, and facility level
Describe one step towards ESM that could be made by your facility, town, or country
Identify opportunities that arise through thinking of e-waste as a resource rather than a problem

Who is the course for?

This course is for university students, policymakers, business managers, e-waste operators, and anyone interested in sustainable solutions for e-waste. It’s ideal for professionals in environmental policy, public health, and the circular economy.

Who will you learn with?

Krysta Martinez

Who developed the course?

EIT RawMaterials

Initiated and funded by the EIT (European Institute of Innovation and Technology), a body of the European Union, EIT RawMaterials is the largest European raw materials partnership.

Basel Convention Secretariat

The Basel Convention Secretariat is joint with the Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions Secretariats and it is hosted by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP/BRS Secretariat). The Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and their Disposal is a global Multilateral Environmental Agreement aiming to protect human health and the environment from the adverse effects which may result from the generation and management of hazardous and other wastes.

World Resources Forum

The World Resources Forum (WRF) is an international non-profit organisation that addresses the economic, political, social and environmental impacts of global resource use.

KU Leuven

KU Leuven is Belgium’s oldest and largest university. The Sustainable Materials Processing and Recycling (SeMPeR) Unit in the Department of Materials Engineering is conducting research on landfill mining, valorisation of residues, biobased materials and sustainability assessments. Over the past decades, our research experience has been transferred to master students during regular courses, but also to industrial partners during other symposia and lectures.

Endorsers and supporters

supported by

What's included?

EIT RawMaterials are offering everyone who joins this course a free digital upgrade, so that you can experience the full benefits of studying online for free. This means that you get:

Unlimited access to this course

Includes any articles, videos, peer reviews and quizzes

Tests to validate your learning

A PDF Certificate of Achievement to prove your success when you’re eligible

Learning on FutureLearn

Your learning, your rules

Courses are split into weeks, activities, and steps to help you keep track of your learning
Learn through a mix of bite-sized videos, long- and short-form articles, audio, and practical activities
Stay motivated by using the Progress page to keep track of your step completion and assessment scores

Join a global classroom

Experience the power of social learning, and get inspired by an international network of learners
Share ideas with your peers and course educators on every step of the course
Join the conversation by reading, @ing, liking, bookmarking, and replying to comments from others

Map your progress

As you work through the course, use notifications and the Progress page to guide your learning
Whenever you’re ready, mark each step as complete, you’re in control
Complete 90% of course steps and all of the assessments to earn your certificate

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