Educating property owners about the types of materials that can be recycled is challenging, but the satisfaction of providing an alternative to landfilling is priceless. Effective recycling means thinking out of the box to create solutions for materials that are commonly discarded in the waste stream.
Providing a venue for metro-Philadelphia residents to responsibly recycle those items that cannot be accepted at the landfill is a valuable service beneficial to all. Recycling must consider all aspects of how operations affect the local environment and the workers that must handle a wide variety of material.
Article 020- The Evolution of Recycling
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May 10, 2011
Electronic recycling is finally getting the attention it deserves. Electronic recyclers have historically not been held to standards that assured what they said they were doing was verifiable. The introduction of two certifications, R2 (Responsible Recycling) and e-Stewards, has given credibility to the industry and will eventually eliminate recyclers who do not aspire to a high degree of responsibility in the recycling process.

The two certification programs vary in depth and spirit. Accountability for final disposition of all material collected, consideration of the environmental in all processes and the protection of worker safety is the main objective of the eSteward certification. The eSteward program does a wonderful job in covering all aspects of an electronic recycler and takes great effort in assuring that any exports overseas are carefully monitored. R2, while addressing worker safety and environmental controls, is not as stringent in assuring that workers overseas are protected while processing our ewaste.

So what is the big deal about shipping electronics overseas? To start, it has been well documented that processors in underdeveloped countries often ignore the protection of their workers in the handling of potentially hazardous materials contained in electronics (mercury, lead, cadmium, beryllium). The stories of toxic villages are not overblown: there are some real horror stories. Secondly, exporting allows many U.S. electronic firms, who guarantee their clients that they are responsibly recycling material, to take advantage of overseas processors who give a good return on material at the expense of worker safety.

It is prudent for consumers and business owners to associate with only those recycling firms that adhere to strict standards of processing that are in compliance with regulatory and environmental standards. Eliminating recyclers who have no interest in obtaining the proper certifications and licensing will benefit everyone, including the environment.

Choosing an eSteward certified recycler, who is also required to be ISO 14001 certified, is the safest and surest way to keep in compliance with the proper disposal of obsolete electronics.
Article 008- I Just Throw them in the Trash
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January 15, 2011
We all know the look. Pompous. Condescending. Arrogant to the point where environmental laws and regulations are below him. The only concern is the bottom line, not how individual actions will affect the environment. And these actions will continue until he is caught, at which time he will gladly pay the fine knowing that he would have still saved money.

It is absolutely amazing in this day and age that there are people who totally disregard laws that require the proper disposal of mercury containing devices in the spirit of saving a few dollars. Recycling mercury lamps is not option for business owners and throwing them in the trash is disgraceful, illegal and immoral. Exposing workers to the mercury vapors contained and released in fluorescent tubes is an offense that should be punishable.

Being efficient and seeking ways to cut costs is the responsibility of every business owner and manager. Ignoring regulations to reduce expenses is not the proper way to achieve a better bottom line. It is sad that every day in businesses throughout the country disregard laws meant to protect the environment.

Article 013- But They Gave Us a Certificate of Recycling
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March 21, 2011
Imagine a photograph in National Geographic, taken by an environmentalist seeking to expose companies and organizations that export obsolete electronics overseas without the proper permitting or documentation. You thought you were doing the right thing and were assured that your electronic equipment was recycled in the proper manner, even having a certificate of recycling to back up your claim.

What you did not know was that you were using a recycling broker or a processor who doesn't care how your electronics are recycled; they are only looking for the best price available. Unfortunately, the best price is usually obtained by shipping the material overseas where, in most instances, is demanufactured by unskilled and unprotected workers. So, instead of having doing the right thing, you have ultimately help contribute to a worldwide problem.

Certificates of recycling and destruction are worthless unless supported by an audit and verified by a qualified independent consulting firm. Choosing a recycler who is certified (R2 or e-Stewards) increases your chances significantly that you did recycle your electronics in a manner that respects the environment and those charged with handling and processing the material.
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This site is located in Philadelphia, PA USA and is designed, maintained and published by Charles Nygard. Copyright © 2012. Member of the Institute of Recycling and PBOMA. e-Stewards, R2 and ISO 14011 certified. Any content that has been republished and is not owned or created by myself is copyright to it's original owner.