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Work item:
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L.CRT-EoL
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Subject/title:
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Guidelines for sustainable management and safe disposal of Cathode Ray Tube waste
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Status:
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Under study
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Approval process:
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AAP
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Type of work item:
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Recommendation
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Version:
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New
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Equivalent number:
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-
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Timing:
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2027-11 (Medium priority)
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Liaison:
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Basel, Stockholm and Rotterdam Convention Secretariat
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Supporting members:
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Egypt, Sudan, UCC(Uganda), Rwanda
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Summary:
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Although CRT technology has become obsolete globally, tens of millions of CRT televisions and monitors are still stored or discarded annually, particularly in developing countries. A single CRT unit can contain up to 2.5–3.5 kg of lead—primarily in the funnel and neck glass—and lead oxide represents about 20–25% of the total glass weight. Studies estimate that global CRT waste generation exceeded 20 million tons between 2010 and 2020, representing a persistent legacy stream of hazardous e-waste.
In addition to lead, CRT devices contain barium, strontium, phosphor coatings, and brominated flame retardants (BFRs) used in plastic housing and circuit boards. BFRs, such as polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), typically constitute 5–15% of CRT plastic weight. These substances are classified as Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) under the Stockholm Convention, due to their bioaccumulation, long-range environmental transport, and toxic effects on human health and ecosystems.
Health impacts: Exposure to lead and BFRs is linked to neurological disorders, developmental toxicity, endocrine disruption, and reproductive health problems. Informal recycling practices—such as manual dismantling, open burning, or acid leaching—release lead dust, dioxins, and furans, posing serious risks to workers and nearby communities.
Environmental impacts: Uncontrolled CRT disposal leads to long-term contamination of soil, groundwater, and air. Leaching of lead from CRT glass in landfills can persist for decades, while the combustion of BFR-containing plastics releases toxic brominated dioxins that contribute to persistent organic pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.
Given these hazards, there is an urgent need for a standardized international framework to manage CRT waste sustainably. The proposed ITU-T Recommendation addresses this by providing technical and policy guidelines for environmentally sound collection, storage, recovery, and disposal of CRT waste, ensuring alignment with the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes, the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants, and supporting the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
The Recommendation complements ongoing ITU-T work on E-waste management. Its adoption will:
Support governments and regulators in developing safe CRT management strategies.
Promote environmentally sound recovery and disposal methods.
Prevent toxic exposure and environmental contamination.
Facilitate international cooperation and capacity building for legacy E-waste streams.
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Comment:
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-
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Reference(s):
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Historic references:
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Contact(s):
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First registration in the WP:
2025-11-12 11:09:59
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Last update:
2025-11-12 11:14:53
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