Responsible Recycling
The electronics recycling industry is plagued by phoney recyclers - those that rely on low-road practices for making a quick buck, like exporting to developing countries and using prison labor for processing, or simply dumping e-waste after taking out the most valuable parts.
Learn more about the problem of e-waste exporting, and prison recycling.
The Electronics TakeBack Coalition promotes responsible recycling by
- Exposing the problems caused by phoney recyclers, who use low road methods and undercut responsible companies
- Promoting responsible recyclers
- Pressuring the manufacturers (directly and via legslation) to provide free, responsible recycling of their old products
Find A Responsible Recycler
The Electronics TakeBack Coalition's partner group, the Basel Action Network has created a voluntary agreement (the Recyclers Pledge of True Stewardship) that responsible recyclers sign, agreeing to follow the highest standards in the industry. This plege includes important practices, including:
- No exporting toxic e-waste to developing countries (either directly or via downstream vendors)
- No use of prison recycling vendors
- No incineration of e-waste, including "waste-to-energy" processes
- Protect workers from the hazards created in the recycling process
Learn more about the pledge program and how to find a responsible recycler.
Certification coming soon.
The Basel Action Network will be turning the current recycler "Pledge" program into a full fledged certification program, called E-Stewards. The standards for this program will be finalized in July 2009, and the certification program (with third party auditing) will be available in early 2010.
What other Programs Help Us Find Responsible Recyclers?
That's the problem. There aren't any that address the biggest problems, like exporting to developing countries. You can easily find lists of electronics recyclers, on state and county websites, on the Consumer Electronics Association website, and elsewhere. But these lists don't "qualify" the recyclers, so they are full of exporters, because most recyclers are exporters.
Doesn't the EPA Certify Recyclers?
No, the EPA has no certification program for electronics recyclers (although many recyclers will tell you they are EPA certified!) The EPA did develop a set of voluntary standards for electronics recycling, called R2, which are very weak, and which still allow exporting to developing countries, use of prison labor, and incineration of e-waste. And there is not currently any group certifying to the R2 standards.
Learn more about the R2 recycling standards.
Pressuring the Manufacturers to Offer Free TakeBack Programs
The Electronics TakeBack Coalition has been effective in pressuring computer and television companies to offer free, national takeback and recycling programs for consumers.
Our detailed guide to electronics company takeback programs and how to use them here,
