E-World Online, Earth911 announce new e-waste awareness program

Posted on July 26, 2011 by admin

E-World Online and Earth911 have created a new partnership to drive consumers to Earth911’s recycling database when they purchase new electronics.

Manufacturers participating in E-World Online’s Manufacturer Interstate Takeback System (MITS) will be able to label their packages and products for e-waste recycling, guiding more consumers to local options via the Earth911 Recycling Directory.

“By placing Earth911 messaging directly on their product, a manufacturer provides a branded call to action that their consumers can use right away to find recycling locations in their own community,” said Earth911 President, Corey Lambrecht. “The continuity of this new partnership takes a major burden off manufacturers and allows them to keep focus on their core businesses.”

“When it comes to protecting our environment one of the most important things we can do is empower consumers to maximize their own recycling efforts,” said E-World Online president, Cindy Erie. “Partnering with Earth911 will allow us to continue providing our manufacturer clients the comprehensive services necessary to ensure their compliance with state recycling regulations, while helping them to seamlessly integrate consumer education.”

For more on E-World Online, visit www.e-worldonline.com. For more on Earth911, visit www.earth911.com.

New electronics recycling industry fact sheets released

Posted on July 22, 2011 by admin

The Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries has released its latest set of fact sheets summarizing the state of the scrap recycling industry, and electronics recycling is included in its data.

The fact sheets are downloadable and printable PDF files, located at www.isri.org/factsheets.

“The scrap recycling industry is not only growing in size, but is continuing to play a more and more important role in job creation, helping level the U.S. trade balance, and strengthening the economy as a whole,” said ISRI President Robin Wiener. “Despite this, many misconceptions about the industry continue to linger. ISRI is a clearinghouse of information about our industry, our members and how what they do is having a positive impact in local communities and around the world.”

In the U.S., the trade industry reported, the electronics recycling industry has grown from less than $1 billion in 2002 to more than $5 billion annually. The industry now employs more than 30,000 full time employees, up from 6,000 in 2002.

Last year, the U.S. electronics recycling industry processed 3 million to 4 million tons of used and end-of-life electronics equipment. More than 70 percent of the collected equipment is manufactured into specification grade commodities — including steel, aluminum, copper, lead, circuit boards, plastics and glass. Commodities are then sold around the U.S. and the world.

Equipment collected from businesses and commercial interested comprises up to 75% of the market, ISRI said, and the U.S. industry has plenty of room to grow – the trade organization estimates U.S. recyclers are currently operating at about 50% of their operational capabilities.

For more on the fact sheets, visit www.isri.org/factsheet

Tablets’ impact on the e-waste recycling stream

Posted on July 14, 2011 by admin

Commentary by Amanda Smith-Teutsch | Electronic Waste Journal

8.5 million.

That’s the number of iPad sales some analysts expect Apple to report selling during the third quarter 2011 next week during conference calls reporting quarterly financial results. That’s not results for the entire year – that’s just the third quarter. While Apple is one of the larger players in the newly developing tablet market, they are by no means the only brand out there.

Take into consideration all of the other products on the market - HP’s new TouchPad, Toshiba’s Thrive, the Samsung Galaxy Tab, high-end and entry-level products from Asus, products from Research in Motion, HTC, Dell, ACER and other manufacturers. All of these tablets – and the world’s insatiable appetite for the gadgets – are creating an ever-growing addition to the e-waste stream, already the fastest growing segment of the world’s waste.

Already the tablets have been appearing in the recycling stream – Sims Recycling Solutions reported its first unit in its recycling stream appeared in October 2010, five months after the device was introduced . As these devices age and are replaced, more will work their way through to the recycling infrastructure.

It’s a device that seemingly arose out of nowhere and burst onto the consumer stage as the must-have gadget overnight. With such a meteoric rise, it’s important to make sure tablets are included into recycling programs at the end of life.

In many jurisdictions with e-recycling laws, tablet computers were added into the same category as laptops or with other video display devices. Other areas, including more than two dozen U.S. states, don’t have laws governing the disposal of the televisions, computers, monitors, laptops or tablets – into the landfill with all of it.

Even at the end of life, these tablets and devices are too valuable from recycling standpoint to landfill and lose forever. Hopefully policy comes into place to capture these valuable devices before they’re thrown into the trash.

A shredder at e-Scrap Destruction in Islandia, N.Y.; photo from Greenlanches.com http://www.greenlaunches.com/other-stuff/escrap-recycles-ewaste-to-reduce-the-burden-on-landfills.php

photo credit : from Greenlanches.com and Sims Recycling Solutions

R2 Certification expands across North America and the globe

Posted on July 8, 2011 by admin

Companies seeking Responsible Recycling (R2) certification has grown beyond the borders of North America, R2 Solutions said.

R2 Solutions is a non-profit organization formed to administer and promote the R2 Standard. 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.

This week Technology Conservation Group, Inc. became the first electronics recycling company to attain certification for a facility in Europe, the organization said. And with two newly-certified facilities in Mexico as well, the company joins Sims and GEEP in growing adoption of the Standard beyond the reach of the U.S., and throughout the North American continent.

“The experience of these companies in applying the principles of the R2 Standard internationally really highlights one of the Standard’s most important strengths, which is the fact that it creates a set of best practices that can be applied anywhere in the world,” notes John Lingelbach, Acting Executive Director of R2 Solutions. “And that is certainly the ultimate goal of those who support the R2 Standard, to promote responsible electronics recycling practices, for everyone, everywhere without exception.”

Under Provision 3 of the R2 Standard, recyclers are required to demonstrate conformance to all applicable national and international laws. The wording of the R2 Standard allows it to be compatible with all regulatory environments. This unique approach to incorporating regulatory compliance into the R2 Standard also means that certified recyclers are required to implement regulatory changes as they are made and the Standard is always current to those regulations. “This particular aspect of the R2 Standard makes it a very agile one that easily accommodates the evolution of regulation, and promotes continued compliance,” Lingelbach said.

In addition to the TCG facilities in Mexico and the UK, and the Sims and GEEP facilities in Canada, the list of international R2 certified facilities is expected to grow rapidly. Certification bodies report having additional facilities under contract in Asia and Europe. R2 Solutions expects to have more than 125 R2 certified recyclers listed by the end of the year, spanning at least three continents.

For more information visit www.r2solutions.org.

ERI certified e-Stewards at three primary U.S. locations

Posted on July 7, 2011 by admin

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.

Ohio EPA Expands Agency Recycling Program to Include Phones 4 Food Program

Posted on June 14, 2011 by admin

Ohio EPA is using SmartRecycle’s “Phones 4 Food” program to recycle electronic devices and printer cartridges, the result of which will expand recycling efforts and set a good example at its Central Office location. Proceeds are donated to the Mid-Ohio Food Bank’s Operation Feed.

Electronic devices accepted include cell phones, MP3 players and digital cameras. The recycling program allows employees to donate working and non-working devices. All phones and accessories are re-purposed in a zero-waste, environmentally friendly way. Cell phones are either refurbishing or reused. Unusable metal or plastic components are smelted at a U.S. EPA-certified facility. One hundred percent of the consumer’s data is scrubbed from devices using data disposition technology. All SIM cards are shredded and destroyed. All old or broken electronic devices are recycled but do not create revenue for Operation Feed.

In addition, Ohio EPA is adding a program to collect name brand printer cartridges. Printer cartridges would be reused when possible, and these donations also benefit Operation Feed. Employees are encouraged to bring cell phones and cartridges into the office from home for recycling. Brand name cartridges will be recycled by SmartRecycle, while store brand and remanufactured cartridges also are being recycled through Davis Laser Products.

This new effort builds on a very successful recycling program for paper, cardboard, plastic and aluminum at Ohio EPA.
For more information on the company please visit http://www.smartrecycle.com/index.php