Computer Recycling Centers - How to Find Responsible Electronics Recycling Companies

Not long ago, CBS' "60 Minutes" programvalue.
broadcast a story on e-waste and global dumping.In order to identify a responsible recycling
The reporters followed a trail of electroniccompany, one must first be able to pinpoint the
recycling items from a Denver-based company alltelltale signs that a recycling company engages in
the way to Hong Kong, China and caught theglobal dumping.
so-called "recycling" company red-handed engagingIrresponsible recycling companies:
in global e-waste dumping.
With over 80% of recycled electronics and1. Avoid educating the public about the e-waste
computers ending up as high-tech e-waste incrisis either on their company Web site or in their
developing countries such as China, India, andcompany marketing collateral. Irresponsible
Africa, we need to step up as responsible citizenselectronics recyclers make it look very easy so
of the world and choose computer and electronicsthat the consumer won't ask any questions.
recycling companies very carefully. We must2. Omit details about how they track and manage
support only those electronics recycling companiesthe recycling process to avoid global dumping.
that are running both a socially and anAgain, the less the consumer knows, the easier it
environmentally sound operation, end-to-end. Tois for an irresponsible electronics recycler to
understand how global dumping occurs, it helps toengage in some form of global dumping
first understand the business model for electronic3. Host greenwash events with reputable
recycling.nonprofits that don't understand the proper
To sustain as a business, electronic recyclersrecycling process. By making the electronics
must generate enough revenues from all itsrecycling process sound easy and by hiding under
recycling and reuse services and the reclamationthe guise of fundraising for schools, chambers of
of precious metals and other recycling materials,commerce, police association leagues and other
minus operating costs and the cost ofnonprofits, these electronics recyclers further
de-manufacturing those items that yield no valuedisarm the general public about "donating" their
(yet harm the environment).unwanted electronics at "fundraising" events.
The difference between an environmentallyElectronics recyclers participating at a greenwash
responsible computer and electronics recyclingfundraiser do not charge any recycling fees, yet
company and an irresponsible one can be brokengenerate enough funds to donate to the nonprofit
down as follows: a) the way they generate reuseand can still pay the high costs of
revenues; b) how they reclaim precious metalsde-manufacturing toxic elements. This business
and recycling materials; c) how they manage themodel doesn't exist because it is simply too good
de-manufacturing process of low-value, toxicto be true. It's also an abuse of the goodwill of
elements.the nonprofits involved. The truth is, these
Consider the precious metal reclamation processfundraising "recyclers" collect items that can be
for a moment. A responsible company wouldreclaimed for cash and then dump the rest on
need to invest in having a safe workingdeveloping countries. They incur minimal handling
environment with proper protective gear for itcosts by selling them as "exports." That is how
workers and proper waste treatment procedures80% of computer and electronics recycling
to prevent environmental contamination. Inmaterials in the U.S. end up as e-waste in
addition, a responsible electronics recyclingdeveloping countries.
company will operate using specialized4. Fail to provide either a permanent address for
de-manufacturing equipment that protects thetheir electronics recycling facility or a proper
workers from the harmful materials or dust thatpermit to operate as a recycler. Many use a P.O.
escapes during the de-manufacturing process.Box or just a phone number that they publish
An irresponsible recycling company avoids anyduring neighborhood pick-up campaigns. When you
investment in the de-manufacturing area. In fact,call, it always goes directly to an answering
irresponsible recycling companies never lay eyesmachine. There is no one available to tell you
on the workers who eventually break apart themore about their services.
leftover electronic parts. As seen in the "60Now that you know how to identify an
Minutes" program, those workers are typicallyirresponsible electronic recycling company, let's
low-paid laborers from remote villages, who usereview what a responsible electronics recycling
bare hands and primitive tools such as chisels andcompany looks like.
hammers to pry the precious materials from the
discarded items. The final discarded parts are then1. Look for an electronics recycler who states a
dumped anywhere - in rivers or streams orcorporate commitment to addressing the global
burned in a swamp - causing major public healthe-waste crisis.
issues.2. Use computer and electronics recycling
The most hazardous materials found in e-wastecompanies that actively educate the public about
are not the reclaimed precious metals, but thethe e-waste crisis and the socially responsible way
low-value, toxic materials such as Mercury foundto recycle and de-manufacture.
in switches and flat screens and the brominated3. Make sure your electronics recycling company
flame retardants used on printed circuit boards,can demonstrate its thorough process in
cables and plastic casings. These are the materialsevaluating reuse items, items for
that require major investment in thede-manufacturing and also its monitoring system
de-manufacturing process. In summary, the costto keep track of the entire de-manufacturing
to operate a safe operating de-manufacturingprocess.
facility makes responsible electronic recycling4. Support electronics recyclers who use only
much more difficult than the much used alternate:U.S.-based de-manufacturing facilities that have
global dumping.the proper permits, de-manufacturing machines
Yielding to the higher reclaim prices offered byand processes and safety and health monitoring
the irresponsible global dumpers, many so-calledsystem for their workers.
recycling collectors send their materials to5. Use computer and electronics recyclers that
irresponsible recyclers, who in turn "sell" thegenerate enough revenues from services to be
recycling cargo to exporters. A few handshakesable to allocate the proper budget toward
later and the e-waste cargo arrives at the portsresponsible processing of toxic materials.
of the global village's poorest countries. Since the6. Choose an electronics recycler that is well
U.S. prohibits dumping of electronic waste in otherrespected by environmentalists who have been
countries, most of the e-waste cargo is shippedfocused on the e-waste crisis. These
under the label "Used Equipment," whereas in factenvironmentalists have seen firsthand how
most of the recycled electronic waste is eitherdumping occurs and are very knowledgeable
too old or too out-of-order to have any reuseabout how to identify responsible recyclers.