Boliden e-scrap to yield extra 14,000 Tonnes of copper & 2 Tonnes of Gold Annually.

Posted on September 28, 2011 by admin

(Reuters) – Swedish smelter and miner and smelter Boliden will squeeze an extra 14,000 tonnes of copper and two tonnes of gold per year from electronic scrap from 2012 as it boosts investment and expands a recycling plan, Chief Executive Lennart Evrell said.

The company is investing 1.3 billion Swedish crowns ($188.2 million) in its electronic scrap, or e-scrap, plant at its Ronnskar smelter, which will process 120,000 tonnes of discarded electronics each year from 45,000 tonnes now.

“The amount of electronics we consume, and the amount of metals going into electronics is increasing every day, but we’re using them for a shorter and shorter time,” Evrell said in his Stockholm office. “This is a big environmental issue.”

It’s also profitable. Extracting metals from scrap uses 10-15 percent of the energy needed to extract metals from ore.

Boliden has been recycling e-scrap for two decades, its technique developed and honed by needing to smelt complex ores in its mines and abide by the strict environmental laws in Sweden.

“We have perhaps the toughest environmental legislation in the world, and a history of developing technology to treat complex ores,” Lennart said. “All these factors together led to us becoming very good in treating complex materials.”

The company is Europe’s third-largest copper and zinc supplier, produces a total of around 15 tonnes of gold, and 350,000 tonnes of refined copper per year. ($1 = 6.908 Swedish Crowns)

Flat-Screen Display Sales Cause Electronics Recycling Crisis.

Posted on September 23, 2011 by admin

Electronics recycling programs are collecting more old cathode ray tube (CRT) TVs and computer monitors, while solutions for recycling CRT glass are disappearing fast. Without updated regulations and new recycling models, old CRT glass — which contains lead and requires responsible recycling — will become harder and potentially more costly to recycle.

Millions of CRTs are collected for recycling each year. Currently, CRT glass is separated into leaded and non-leaded glass and processed for recycling into other glass products. CRT used to be recycled into new CRT television and computer displays; however, because plasma and flat-screen displays are now the norm, the demand for CRT glass has collapsed worldwide.

“Currently, there are only one or two CRT manufacturers outside of China that accept CRT glass for reuse in manufacturing of CRTs. Both are located overseas; and these plants only process a limited amount of CRT glass each year, which makes depending on these facilities for consistent consumption nearly impossible,” says Robert Erie, CEO of E-World Online. “Many state regulations require CRT glass to be recycled rather than disposed. The recycler’s dilemma is that currently there are too few domestic end-markets for this material. Not to mention the downstream due diligence liabilities and lack of efficiency that comes with shipping millions of pounds of glass — much of which contains lead — across the globe.”

E-World Online provides electronics recycling solutions for the country’s leading consumer electronics manufacturers and oversees the safe collection and recycling of 40 million pounds of CRT glass annually. In light of the growing CRT glass recycling problem, E-World Online is working to find new, economical CRT recycling solutions. However, in order to take full advantage of today’s new recycling processes and innovative clean technologies, outdated regulatory frameworks must be revisited and cost effective options allowed.

One of the largest companies that does process CRT glass in the U.S. is the Dlubak Glass Company in Upper Sandusky, Ohio. Most of the CRT glass collected by E-World Online’s network was being shipped to Dlubak facilities in both Yuma, Arizona and in Ohio; however, the recent closure of Dlubak’s Yuma facility, combined with cost increases to process CRT glass domestically, have made this model financially and logistically challenging.

Much closer to the California border, E-World Online is working with Phoenix-based Closed Loop Refining & Recovery, Inc. (CLRR), a relatively new recycler of CRT glass. CLRR can recycle more than 70 million pounds of CRT glass per year using an innovative approach that extracts lead from CRT glass as part of the process. The extracted lead can then be used in batteries and other products, reducing the need to mine new lead out of the ground.

Currently the State of California requires that one of two methods be employed to compliantly recycle CRT glass that has been handled as a universal waste: 1) as a feedstock in the manufacturing of new CRTs, or 2) as a feedstock to primary or secondary lead smelters. Officials with California’s Departments of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) and Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle) have recognized that new outlets need to be evaluated and are holding meetings to discuss this issue. An electronic waste stakeholder meeting is scheduled in Sacramento on Sept. 26 to address how regulations might need to change to support new innovations coming to market or to allow alternative glass management practices.

“Our industry is at an interesting crossroads when it comes to CRT glass,” explains Erie. “In my 12 years in the electronics recycling field, this is the first time that I’ve seen an e-waste material stream become obsolete and markets dry up so quickly. We’re very pleased to be working with U.S. entrepreneurs developing domestic solutions and to see state regulators taking the logical next steps to utilizing new innovations in the marketplace.”

From geograph.org.uk Author David Wright

Survey Reveals Most I.T Managers Are Unsure What Happens To Their E-waste After Disposal.

Posted on September 21, 2011 by admin

One in five senior IT managers are unsure whether some of their company’s PCs end up in landfill after they dispose of them, according to a survey by charity Computer Aid.

The 100 respondents to the poll disposed of an average 542 computers per year, but only 65 were “confident” or “very confident” that all their unwanted IT avoided being sent to landfill. Moreover, 13 were wholly unaware of the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) directive, which outlaws dumping e-waste.

“It is extremely worrying that many of the U.K.’s largest companies are not able to guarantee that their equipment is not illegally dumped in landfill,” said Anja ffrench, director of communications at Computer Aid, in a statement. “Companies must use disposal providers that can track exactly where their equipment is sent so as to avoid the devastating impact on health and the environment that e-waste can cause.”

Companies typically replace their base units every 3.7 years and their monitors every four years, and Computer Aid wants more of these businesses to donate computers it can refurbish and send to developing countries.

However, recycling IT remains the most popular disposal option, with 28 percent of businesses recycling all their IT and 41 percent recycling more than half.

Just 14 percent sent followed what the charity called “best practice in IT disposal” by sending all their working computers for reuse and recycling the remainder.

Cost, fears over data protection and contractual obligations to a leasing company were cited as the main reasons why companies did not reuse more computers, although 83 percent said they would reuse working equipment if these factors were addressed.

“Policies need to be in place to ensure more reuse of working equipment,” ffrench added. “Disposing of PCs after four years is a huge waste of resources since most computers will last at least double that.”

This article originally appeared on BusinessGreen.

Government brings criminal charges against Colorado e-recycler

Posted on September 19, 2011 by admin

After 30 months of investigations, the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and EPA Criminal Investigation Division handed down multiple criminal charges today against two executives of Executive Recycling Inc., a Denver electronics recycling firm.

The criminal charges are the result of an investigation initiated by the the Basel Action Network (BAN), the watchdog group reported.

The investigation was featured in CBS’s 60 Minutes news magazine, “The Wasteland.” It is the first instance that criminal charges have been brought against an e-waste exporter, BAN said.

“In 2007 and 2008, BAN volunteers photographed 21 sea-going containers at Executive Recycling’s loading docks that they subsequently tracked across the world, with most ending up in China. BAN then alerted the Government Accountability Office (GAO) and 60 Minutes, and together the groups documented US businesses posing as responsible electronics recyclers but who instead were simply shipping e-waste to developing countries where it was processed in deadly, highly polluting operations. The resulting 60 Minutes episode has since become one of the most popular and award winning in the program’s history,” according to the environmental group.

“This is a major victory for global environmental justice,” said BAN Executive Director Jim Puckett. “Even before we have a U.S. law in place to explicitly prohibit this dumping on developing countries, the US government’s criminal justice system has recognized the massive toxic trade we first discovered in 2001 as fraudulent, as smuggling, and as an environmental crime. Now these sham recyclers are warned: their shameful practices can land them in jail.”

“The proper disposal of our electronic waste is not only critical today, but will also become more important in the future,” said U.S. Attorney John Walsh. “U.S. law requires proper disposal of this type of waste not only for the protection of Americans, but also so that we in the United States live up to our responsibility to be good international environmental stewards.”

“Our ongoing 30-month investigation included cooperation from law enforcement agencies in the United States, Hong Kong and Canada,” said David M. Marwell, special agent in charge of ICE HSI in Denver. “The investigation confirmed that Executive Recycling repeatedly exported used cathode ray tubes to China. In addition, Executive Recycling also made false promises to its customers who believed that Executive Recycling was properly disposing of their electronic waste. Homeland Security Investigations stands ready to prevent any company from circumventing U.S. controls to export hazardous waste.”

“As consumer demand for electronic goods continues to grow, communities and individuals will look for safe, domestic recycling options for electronics that are no longer needed,” said Lori Hanson, Special Agent in Charge of EPA’s criminal enforcement program in Colorado. “EPA is committed to ensuring that companies that offer fraudulent recycling services, where e-waste is illegally shipped abroad, are caught and prosecuted.”
According to the federal grand jury indictment, Executive Recycling was responsible for at least 300 exports, including shipments of more than 100,000 CRTs. Revenues of these activiteis were in excess of $1.8 million, the government said. Executive’s CEO, Mr. Brandon Richter, together with Mr. Tor Olson, Vice President of Operations, were indicted on 16 separate counts including wire and mail fraud, environmental crimes, exportation contrary to law, and destruction, alteration, or falsification of records.

Photo by EMPA. Supplied by UNU

BAN said Executive Recycling still operates in the Denver area and has had e-waste recycling contracts with the cities of Denver, Boulder, and Broomfield and the El Paso County and Jefferson County governments. It is registered with the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment as a “Large Quantity Handler of Universal Waste.”

“Sadly, Executive Recycling is just the tip of the e-waste iceberg,” said Puckett. “They are but one of hundreds of fake recyclers who sell greenness and responsibility but in fact practice global dumping. This is why we must pass federal legislation prohibiting this activity. And this is why all those disposing of electronic waste should use only Certified e-Stewards® Recyclers who will not export your old toxic computer or TV to a developing country.”

If convicted of wire fraud, the defendants face not more than 20 years in federal prison, and a fine of up to $250,000, or twice the gross gain or loss from the offense, per count, for each of the 11 counts. If convicted of mail fraud, the defendants face not more than 20 years in federal prison, and a fine of up to $250,000, or twice the gross gain or loss from the offense, per count, for each of the two counts. If convicted of the one count of RCRA, the defendants face not more than 2 years imprisonment and a fine of up to $50,000 a day or a fine of up to $500,000 or either twice the gross gain or loss. If convicted on the one count of smuggling goods from the U.S., the defendants face not more than 10 years in federal prison, and a fine of up to $250,000. If convicted of one count of destruction of records during the course of EPA’s administrative process, the defendants face not more than 20 years in federal prison, and a fine of up to $250,000. If the corporation is convicted of wire or mail fraud it faces a fine of up to $500,000 or twice the gross gain or loss per count for each of 13 counts. If convicted of one count of RCRA, the corporation faces a fine of not more than $50,000 per day of violation or twice the gross gain or loss. If convicted of one count of smuggling goods from the United States, the corporation faces a fine of up to $500,000 or twice the gross gain or loss. The indictment includes an asset forfeiture allegation, which states that upon conviction the defendants shall forfeit to the United States any and all property or proceeds derived from their illegal activity.

To view the original indictment, click on executive_recycling_indictment

See the government announcement here.

The company did not immediately offer comment. The most recent information available from the firm is a one-paragraph statement from 2008 stating the company is in full compliance with state of Colorado laws.

Press Release: Sims Recycling Solutions becomes the first electronics recycler to be TAPA certified

Posted on September 16, 2011 by admin

Sims Recycling Solutions, the world’s largest electronics recycler, received its first Transported Asset Protection Association (TAPA) certification at the company’s facility in Roseville, CA. TAPA is an international association that establishes security standards for assets travelling through the supply chain in an effort to fight cargo crime. These standards specify security requirements for the handling, warehousing and transportation of goods.

“Cargo theft is becoming a huge concern for businesses throughout the U.S. and we recognize the threat cargo theft poses to our customers,” stated Steve Skurnac, President, Sims Recycling Solutions, Americas. “By Sims Recycling Solutions receiving this TAPA certification we are hoping to do more than demonstrate our commitment to protect our customers but to raise some awareness on this issue as well.”

The certification audit was extensive and involved a thorough inspection of the current security systems in place at the Roseville facility. TAPA security requirements are recognized globally as the industry standard for cargo facility and transport security. They have become a benchmark for businesses that want to choose service providers that meet or exceed TAPA’s certification requirements..

Sims Recycling Solutions is a proud member of several organizations and associations. To view a list of the industry affiliations please visit http://us.simsrecycling.com/about-us/affiliations.

Sims Recycling Solutions

Sims Recycling Solutions (www.us.simsrecycling.com) is the world’s largest electrical and electronics recovery and recycling company with 42 sites across the globe.

Sims Recycling Solutions recycles all types of electronic equipment and enables businesses to meet both their social and legal obligations in the treatment of surplus electronics. The company’s asset management and recovery service enables businesses and public sector organizations to sustain the value of IT and electronic equipment, in a legally compliant, data secure, fully traceable and environmentally sustainable manner.

In North America, Sims Recycling Solutions operates 14 sites in Arizona, California, Florida, Illinois, Nevada, New Jersey, Ontario, South Carolina and Tennessee.

R2 Solutions celebrates one year as the housing entity for the R2 Standard

Posted on September 15, 2011 by admin

Press Release

Hotchkiss, Colorado, September 13, 2011 – Last September, R2 Solutions was formed to serve as the non-profit housing entity for the R2 Standard. Since its formation, the organization has worked to promote the R2 Standard in the market place, protect the integrity of the R2 brand and support the work of the Technical Advisory Committee (TAC). Keeping in the same collaborative spirit in which the R2 Standard was developed, R2 Solutions continues to engage stakeholders to develop programs to best support the Standard. And, perhaps two of the most important accomplishments to date has been the rapid adoption and recognition of R2 in the marketplace, and the formation of the TAC which is integral to the long-term success of R2.
This month, the number of R2 certified electronics recycling facilities has surpassed 125 locations around the world. Those seeking an R2 certified recycler in the U.S. have ample vendor selection options. Outside of the U.S., recyclers have obtained certification in Canada, Mexico, the UK, Singapore and China. The five accredited certification bodies have many other clients currently under contract in the U.S. and abroad, so the list of R2 recyclers will continue to grow rapidly. R2 Solutions thanks all of the recyclers that have chosen R2 certification and continue to work daily to implement best practices in electronics recycling. Together they are making an important impact on the industry.
Central to sustaining the success of R2 is the work of the TAC, which was formed in June of this year. The TAC is responsible for developing Guidance for the Standard and offering revision of the Standard so it continues to be relevant over time. The TAC has begun work in both of these areas and is preparing for the first face-to-face meeting in Chicago on September 20th. During the meeting, the group will consider the latest version of draft guidance which will be made available for public review and comment soon. The group will also consider the areas of the R2 Standard that may need revision. This list of items for consideration was compiled from recommendations received from the public, auditors and consultants, recyclers and TAC members. A summary of the meeting will be available in the September issue of the R2 Update. Those with questions about the upcoming TAC meeting should contact John Lingelbach at lingelbach@r2solutions.org.
R2 Solutions wants to thank all of the people and organizations that have supported the R2 effort along the way. R2 Solutions looks forward to building on the accomplishments of the past year and continuing to engage the many industry stakeholders that have a vested interest in ensuring best practices in electronics recycling.

About R2 Solutions

R2 Solutions is a non-profit organization formed to administer and promote the R2 Standard, a comprehensive set of best management practices governing the environmental, health, safety and security aspects of the electronics recycling industry. R2 Solutions is responsible for promoting the standard, encouraging e-recyclers to become certified to R2, educating the public about responsible e-recycling and providing administrative support to the R2 multi-stakeholder Technical Advisory Committee. Additional information is available at www.r2solutions.org .