The global IT industry represents about 2% of all global carbon emissions. From personal computers and smartphones to datacenter and network facilities, we are consuming extensive amounts of energy. China generates roughly 4 million tons of e-waste per year. E-waste contains toxic materials that harm the environment and effect human health, yet 85% of e-waste goes directly to a landfill or is recycled unethically.

We are using our electronic devices more frequently than ever before, which has many negative implications. We are upgrading our electronics at alarming rates — the average cellphone user replaces their handset once every 18 months. In addition, the convenience of online shopping has increased the amount of waste we produce due to excessive packaging and consumption. Unfortunately, consumers are not aware of the effects of using these resources and producing this much electronic waste. This event will discuss this issue and look at the 3 types of digital waste:

• Direct waste i.e. physical waste that is a result of discarded electronic items
• Indirect waste i.e. waste created as a result of our online shopping activities such as over-consumption, production, packaging and transportation
• Virtual waste i.e. energy and environment-related waste from cloud storage, datacenters, servers, etc.

Other topics to be discussed during this forum are:

• How big is the impact of digital waste and what are the key concerns?
• What are companies doing to decrease the impact of e-waste? Who are the key innovators?
• What is the impact of ‘virtual’ waste? Is it a cause for concern?
• What are some innovative green and sustainable services in this sector?

We will also take the opportunity to launch The [WE] Project, Shanghai’s first formal community e-waste recycling project, that aims to provide the community with a transparent, reliable, and an environmentally safe way to dispose of their old and used electronics.

Note: There will be an entrance fee of ¥30 for all registered guests. Limited number free entrance for students and interns, with PRIOR REGISTRATION (else ¥30).

Light snacks and beverages will be provided to our attendees, thanks to the support of Yimishiji.

Event Itinerary

• 18.00 – 19.00: Registrations
• 19.00 – 19.10: Event introduction by Haworth, Green Initiatives & Netspring
• 19:10 – 19:20: Short Film (6-min) Screening and The [WE] Project Launch
• 19:20 – 20:00: Presentations by Greenpeace, TES-AMM, and ASIG Designs
• 20.00 – 20.30: Q&A Session (open to the audience)
• 20:30 – 21:00: Drinks and Networking

Speakers

Yixiu Wu
Subject: Yixiu will share her experience leading the Greenpeace global campaign on the IT industry. The campaign promotes the sound environmental management of leading IT and internet companies driven by innovation.
Background: Yixiu Wu is Greenpeace Global Project Manager focussing on the environmental impact of internaitonal corporations. She has worked in Greenpeace for over 7 years. She was head of the toxics team in Greenpeace East Asia in Beijing, leading the toxics team to address the country’s water pollution problem caused by excessive industrial discharge. Now based in Shanghai Yixiu leads the Greenpeace Global Campaign on the Information and Communication Technology industry.
Before joining Greenpeace she worked as journalist for five years, and has an MA in journalism from University of Westminster in London, and a BA in history in Fudan University in Shanghai.

Kevin Chie
Subject: Kevin will share his experiences on China’s e-waste recycling industry, including current recycling processes, goverment regulations, and current and future chanllenges, both technology and marketing.
Background: Kevin Chie is Business Development Manager at TES-AMM China, a global leader in providing IT Lifecycle Services and bespoke solutions that help customers manage the commissioning, deployment and retirement of Information Technology (IT) assets. Kevin has over 10 years experience in the e-waste recycling industry. Over the past 10 years, he has participated in the construction of the e-waste recycling plants, key customer negotiations, as well as participated in China’s WEEE program. Presently, Kevin is responsible for the building of the e-waste recycling network.

Andy Sigfrid
Subject: With the expansion of e-commerce globally, an increase in packaging waste in the logistics market is inevitable.  With a well designed resuable delivery package, we can start to reduce waste, improve customer experience and increase delivery efficiency.
About: Andrew Sigfrids is a American designer and is the founder of ASIG Design, a multi-discipline boutique design studio based in Shanghai.  ASIG Design designs a range of projects and works with a range of clients primarily focusing on architecture, interior design and furniture design.  Andrew started the studio in 2010 as a furniture retailer with a store located in the French Concession that gave customers a unique experience of designing bespoke in-store and seeing the results within a month after being manufactured in Shanghai.  From there, ASIG Design has spun off the retail sector and now focuses on project work doing architecture and interior design projects for Chinese and international clients like Yershari, Starbucks and ABInbev.  In addition, a team within the studio focuses soley on industrial and furniture design for domestic and international companies that are seeking marketable products manufactured in China, which reinforces the notion of ‘designed in China’.

For more information, please visit http://greeninitiatives.cn/event/forum-kerry-june16