E-Stewards: The Choice for Truly Responsible Recycling

The e-Stewards Electronic Recycling Certification is the first fully accredited, independently audited certification program designed to ensure that e-waste will be responsibly – and accountably – recycled, and not dumped in developing countries. The e-Stewards Certification was developed by a group of concerned electronics recyclers, environmentalists, industry leaders and health and safety and technical experts working with the Basel Action Network (BAN), a non-governmental organization focused on stopping illicit e-waste exports.

Building on many years of helping businesses manage their IT equipment to the highest standards of environmental, social and financial responsibility, Redemtech was:

• Among the first companies to achieve e-Stewards Certification – and the only IT asset recovery and disposition service provider to be e-Stewards Certified across all U.S. facilities when the program launched in April 2010.
• The first company in Europe – and the first electronics recycler outside of the U.S. – to be e-Stewards Certified with the certification of its Surrey, UK TCM Centre in September 2010.

Redemtech was able to lead the certification process in both the U.S. and Europe because, as an original signatory of BAN’s Electronics Recycler’s Pledge of True Stewardship in April 2004, the company had been operating in accordance with the standard for years. Redemtech is aggressively pursuing certification for its global network of TCM Centers to ensure multi-national companies can manage e-waste responsibly, accountably and consistently across their enterprise.

The Need for Standards

As the largest generators of e-waste in the world, major corporations have developed policies that promote responsible recycling. Yet the vast majority of the IT assets and other electronics recovered from businesses in developed countries is exported to developing countries, where it is devastating the environment and human health. Despite international treaties and Europe’s WEEE directive, e-waste export continues to flow freely. Why? Unethical recyclers promise to do the right thing – then pump up their profits by shipping their customers’ toxic-laden computers to Asia or Africa for dismantling under horrific conditions.

It’s a nightmare for companies that want to protect the environment – and guard against legal and regulatory risks as well as negative publicity. And even more challenging for multi-national organizations looking to implement a global standard.

However, the industry reached a tipping point following a scathing U.S. Government Accountability Office report criticizing the Environmental Protection Agency for failing to enforce e-waste laws and a series of media exposés exposing unethical e-cyclers. Concerned businesses began demanding greater accountability from e-waste vendors, which fueled a drive for certification programs.

The e-Stewards Advantage

Working with an e-Stewards Certified e-waste recycler provides important advantages for Global 2000 companies. The e-Stewards Standard:

• Prohibits the export of e-waste to developing nations, including untested or nonworking equipment for “refurbishment,” ensuring compliance with the Basel Convention, the Basel Ban and Europe’s WEEE directive
• Bans the use of prison labor, landfills or incinerators for toxic materials
• Includes many industry-specific performance requirements, including prohibiting shredding of mercury and requiring appropriate worker health and safety protections
• Requires accountability for toxics all the way to final processing
• Incorporates the global ISO 14001standard for environmental management systems to ensure consistent standards across the world
• Ensures integrity of recycling operations through a rigorous independent audit process conducted by accredited certification bodies

Redemtech strongly supports the e-Stewards Standard as the best way to protect the environment – and guard our enterprise customers from legal, regulatory and corporate image risks.

Looking for more information?
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			Progress on the e-waste recycling front
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			Companies want to do the right thing with their discarded electronics, but disparate standards raise doubt whether recyclers are working in line with your principles. GreenerComputing
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			Natural Resources Defense Council endorses "sorely needed" e-Stewards Certification to govern e-waste recyclers using unsafe, ecologically damaging methods. Environmental News Service
			E-waste and Environmental Regulations Database
			Mounting pressures regarding the environmentally and socially responsible management of e-waste are triggering more stringent laws around the globe. Redemtech’s E-waste and Environmental Regulations Database delivers information about regulations, directives, national decrees, statutes, ordinances and pending e-waste and environmental legislation.
			e-Stewards Certification Program Brochure
			Synopsis of the e-Stewards Certification Standards
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