Electronic Recyclers International (ERI), headquartered in Fresno, Ca., has achieved company-wide certification of its primary U.S. operating locations in California, Washington, Colorado and Texas to the international e-Stewards Standard for Responsible Recycling and Reuse of Electronic Equipment, the Basel Action Network said. BAN added ERI is the largest recycler to date to have achieved this distinction.
John S. Shegerian
Certified e-Stewards Recyclers, such as ERI, have been extensively audited by accredited third-party Certification Bodies to ensure that all requirements of the Standard have been met.
The e-Stewards Standard, created by BAN in conjunction with industry leaders and health and environmental specialists, requires recyclers to eliminate exports of hazardous e-wastes to developing countries; to halt the dumping of such wastes in municipal landfills or incinerators; and to cease the use of captive prison populations to manage toxic e-wastes. It also calls for strict protection of private data and occupational health safeguards to ensure that workers in recycling plants are not exposed to toxic dusts and fumes.
“The e-Stewards Standard is a market differentiator in an industry that needs one badly,” said Jim Puckett, Founder of the Basel Action Network. “If you care about security of your data, and the impacts of toxic substances in electronic waste on workers here at home and in developing countries, then you will choose to be held to this gold standard of environmental and social responsibility and you will accept no substitutes.”
Certification body QMI-SAI Global conducted the ERI audits that independently determined every one of ERI’s current facilities to be operating within the parameters set by the e-Stewards Standard. ERI reported that their three newest locations, in Indiana, Massachusetts and North Carolina, are also on schedule to be certified by the end of August, 2011.
“We are extremely proud to have met the strictest standards of environmental and operational excellence,” said John S. Shegerian, Chairman and CEO of ERI. “We strongly support BAN’s certified, third-party audited program and will proudly display our e-Steward Certification documents at each our locations.”
Shegerian also noted that ERI continues to see steady growth and will soon be expanding nationally and internationally. As each facility becomes operational they will likewise become audited and certified.
Fresno-headquartered Electronic Recyclers International is licensed to de-manufacture and recycle televisions, computer monitors, computers, and other types of electronic equipment. ERI processes more than 140 million pounds of electronic waste annually at its locations in California, Washington, Colorado, and Texas. For more information about e-waste recycling and ERI, call 1-800-884-8466 or visit http://www.electronicrecyclers.com.
