Jim Puckett has been an environmental health and justice activist for 22 years. In the past he served as Greenpeace International’s Toxics Director and before that, as co-coordinator of Greenpeace’s Toxic Trade campaign, both posts being based in Amsterdam, Netherlands. The Greenpeace Toxic Trade Campaign was instrumental in achieving the Basel Ban as well as numerous regional waste trade bans. In 1997, he left Greenpeace to return to Seattle to help found the Basel Action Network program. He has represented civil society within the Basel Convention since its inception in 1989 and has traveled extensively researching, writing, producing films and campaigning against all forms of toxic trade. Contact: jpuckett [at] ban.org
Yuka Takamiya, a Japanese activist, joined BAN in December 2004. Yuka holds a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Gakushuin University, Tokyo, and a Master’s in Sociology (Environmental) from Oregon State University. She acts as a “4Rs” (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Responsibility) Initiative Project Coordinator. In this role Yuka uses her fluency in both Japanese and English to act as a bridge between Japan, the US, and the greater Asian community. She has attended workshops and conferences around the globe in pursuit of raising awareness of the dangers of toxic waste and environmental justice. Contact: yuka [at] ban.org
Sarah Westervelt is the e-Stewardship Policy Director at the Basel Action Network (BAN), and the Reuse/Recycling Chairperson for the Electronics TakeBack Coalition. Her work includes the development of the e-Stewards accredited certification program, as well as participation in national and international multi-stakeholder processes, such as the United Nations PACE program. Through global advocacy, policy, market solutions, and education, Sarah provides guidance to governments, institutions, corporations, and the public to go beyond inadequate regulations and practices, and better understand existing international laws that pertain to trade in toxic wastes. Sarah has a Master’s Degree in Organizational Systems Renewal, and worked for years as a consultant in organizational development before joining the Basel Action Network in 2001. Contact: swestervelt [at] ban.org
Lauren Roman is the Business Director of the e-Stewards program and helps drive awareness and acceptance of the program in the marketplace. Roman entered the e-waste industry in 1994 through a contract with Digital Equipment Corporation, which ran the first so-called electronics “demanufacturing” operation in the U.S. She was the first to approach many Fortune 500 companies regarding their e-waste disposal practices and educate them about environmental liability related to improper disposal. She has subsequently worked with dozens of electronics recyclers throughout North America on their marketing and business development activities with a focus on responsible domestic recycling. Contact: lroman [at] ban.org
The e-Stewards Staff