Page 50 - Implementation of ITU-T international standards for sustainable management of waste electrical and electronic equipment: The path to a circular economy in Costa Rica

Implementation of ITU-T international standards for sustainable management of waste
electrical and electronic equipment: The path to a circular economy in Costa Rica

Other stakeholders such as CEGIRE, MICITT, UNIDO-GEF, National and Regional Coordinators,
and related international agencies concerned, were invited. Their participation in the working
agenda was in line with their binding to the project and the respective national WEEE
management.

The main outcome of the workshop was to let the participants get to know the surveys and to
clarify doubts, identify contact points in the companies in order to send out the surveys, and
follow up the implementation process.

3 5 3 Platform for the surveys’ implementation

The method selected to conduct surveys is relevant to their success. One factor that played a
significant role in the Costa Rica study case was the COVID-19 pandemic. Health restrictions
and mandatory closures of economic activities significantly affected the selection of the survey
method, as well as the time needed to carry it out and the number of participants.

An online platform was used to gather information in digital form to be processed further. This
tool has the flexibility to allow multiple-choice and multiple-entry matrix questions, which is
important for the type of survey designed. A deadline of 15 calendar days was given to respond,
which was subsequently extended by seven days. To ensure that as many responses to the
surveys as possible were received, a tight follow-up process was implemented, with phone calls
and e-mails to managers and importers.

3 5 4 Evaluation of surveys’ results

Surveys of selected importers and managers revealed information to assess the national
management system while providing data to develop the material flows and their mass balances.

The main results for each group are presented below. Responses to the survey were received
from 28 per cent of importers; however, it is important to note that the nine importers that
responded are wholesalers and are among the companies that accumulate 80 per cent of
imports of some of the tracers selected in the study, according to the Pareto principle.

The analysis of Ministry of Health databases and the surveys’ follow-up process showed that
there are companies or persons registered as WEEE managers with the Ministry of Health who
do not carry out this type of activity. Other managers only collect WEEE, even though they are
registered to carry out processes such as dismantling, recovery and treatment.

3.5.4.1 Analysis and interpretation of the survey for EEE importers

Importers who responded to the survey are located in the Greater Metropolitan Area (GAM).
Figure 21 shows the location of the importers and managers who participated in the survey.

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