Global review on Safer End of Engineered Life

The review identifies beyond doubt the immense harm caused by uncontrolled burning and dumping of waste worldwide, particularly to those in the informal recycling sector who are most exposed to the risks. It provides a rigorous and valuable evidence base, which systematically revisits the scientific evidence on the neglected link between sound waste and resources management and the impact on human health and life.

This review makes 11 recommendations for urgent action and 18 recommendations for further research that are detailed throughout the report, summarised in Section 5 and briefly referred to in Table 1 and Table 2. It is intended that these recommendations will be considered in more detail by relevant organisations such as official development assistance providers and those managing research and innovation agendas. They should be actioned with urgency to prevent further harm to human health and wellbeing as a result of products, object and structures when they reach the end of their engineered life.