Ss50-05 Interventions to Improve the Work Environment of Metal Recycling Workers: The Eu Intercambio Project

Introduction The green energy transition and the circular economy require increased recycling. However, recycling carries the risk of exposure to mixed toxic metals and organic compounds, but also to repetitive work, and accidents. We have little knowledge about occupational health in the EU recycling industry. Therefore, in the EU INTERCAMBIO project, we aim to characterize the work environment of recycling workers, explore health effects, and work with the companies to find long-term solutions to mitigate risks. Materials and Methods First, we aim to recruit workers in Sweden, Portugal and Denmark that perform metal, e-waste, plastic and domestic waste recycling and assess their exposure and health effects. Second, we provide suggestions on how to improve the work environment by actions on different levels. Third, we will do follow-ups of the recycling companies, in order to evaluate the impact of the intervention, including making co-creative and adequate adjustments. Results We will present results from the ongoing recruitment and discuss how EU INTERCAMBIO will add to the existing knowledge on occupational health for metal recycling workers world-wide. A roadmap will be presented on how to translate the knowledge produced in policy actions and on effectiveness evaluation of the EU policies already in place. Conclusions The results of this project will provide knowledge about current exposure and risks in the recycling industry and how to mitigate them by interventions, and provide knowledge to support new policies and improve the ones already in place in the EU. In the end, EU INTERCAMBIO will make the recycling industry more sustainable.