Computer Recycling Centers - How to Find Responsible Electronics Recycling Companies

Not long ago, CBS' "60 Minutes" program broadcast aone must first be able to pinpoint the telltale signs that
story on e-waste and global dumping. The reportersa recycling company engages in global dumping.
followed a trail of electronic recycling items from aIrresponsible recycling companies:
Denver-based company all the way to Hong Kong,
China and caught the so-called "recycling" company1. Avoid educating the public about the e-waste crisis
red-handed engaging in global e-waste dumping.either on their company Web site or in their company
With over 80% of recycled electronics and computersmarketing collateral. Irresponsible electronics recyclers
ending up as high-tech e-waste in developing countriesmake it look very easy so that the consumer won't
such as China, India, and Africa, we need to step up asask any questions.
responsible citizens of the world and choose computer2. Omit details about how they track and manage the
and electronics recycling companies very carefully. Werecycling process to avoid global dumping. Again, the
must support only those electronics recyclingless the consumer knows, the easier it is for an
companies that are running both a socially and anirresponsible electronics recycler to engage in some
environmentally sound operation, end-to-end. Toform of global dumping
understand how global dumping occurs, it helps to first3. Host greenwash events with reputable nonprofits
understand the business model for electronic recycling.that don't understand the proper recycling process. By
To sustain as a business, electronic recyclers mustmaking the electronics recycling process sound easy
generate enough revenues from all its recycling andand by hiding under the guise of fundraising for schools,
reuse services and the reclamation of precious metalschambers of commerce, police association leagues
and other recycling materials, minus operating costsand other nonprofits, these electronics recyclers
and the cost of de-manufacturing those items thatfurther disarm the general public about "donating" their
yield no value (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 and
down as follows: a) the way they generate reusecan still pay the high costs of de-manufacturing toxic
revenues; b) how they reclaim precious metals andelements. This business model doesn't exist because it
recycling materials; c) how they manage theis simply too good to be true. It's also an abuse of the
de-manufacturing process of low-value, toxic elements.goodwill of the nonprofits involved. The truth is, these
Consider the precious metal reclamation process for afundraising "recyclers" collect items that can be
moment. A responsible company would need to investreclaimed for cash and then dump the rest on
in having a safe working environment with properdeveloping countries. They incur minimal handling costs
protective gear for it workers and proper wasteby selling them as "exports." That is how 80% of
treatment procedures to prevent environmentalcomputer and electronics recycling materials in the U.S.
contamination. In addition, a responsible electronicsend up as e-waste in developing countries.
recycling company will operate using specialized4. Fail to provide either a permanent address for their
de-manufacturing equipment that protects the workerselectronics recycling facility or a proper permit to
from the harmful materials or dust that escapes duringoperate as a recycler. Many use a P.O. Box or just a
the de-manufacturing process.phone number that they publish during neighborhood
An irresponsible recycling company avoids anypick-up campaigns. When you call, it always goes
investment in the de-manufacturing area. In fact,directly to an answering machine. There is no one
irresponsible recycling companies never lay eyes onavailable to tell you more about their services.
the workers who eventually break apart the leftoverNow that you know how to identify an irresponsible
electronic parts. As seen in the "60 Minutes" program,electronic recycling company, let's review what a
those workers are typically low-paid laborers fromresponsible electronics recycling company looks like.
remote villages, who use bare hands and primitive
tools such as chisels and hammers to pry the precious1. Look for an electronics recycler who states a
materials from the discarded items. The final discardedcorporate commitment to addressing the global
parts are then dumped anywhere - in rivers ore-waste crisis.
streams or burned in a swamp - causing major public2. Use computer and electronics recycling companies
health issues.that actively educate the public about the e-waste
The most hazardous materials found in e-waste arecrisis and the socially responsible way to recycle and
not the reclaimed precious metals, but the low-value,de-manufacture.
toxic materials such as Mercury found in switches and3. Make sure your electronics recycling company can
flat screens and the brominated flame retardants useddemonstrate its thorough process in evaluating reuse
on printed circuit boards, cables and plastic casings.items, items for de-manufacturing and also its
These are the materials that require major investmentmonitoring system to keep track of the entire
in the de-manufacturing process. In summary, the costde-manufacturing process.
to operate a safe operating de-manufacturing facility4. Support electronics recyclers who use only
makes responsible electronic recycling much moreU.S.-based de-manufacturing facilities that have the
difficult than the much used alternate: global dumping.proper permits, de-manufacturing machines and
Yielding to the higher reclaim prices offered by theprocesses and safety and health monitoring system
irresponsible global dumpers, many so-called recyclingfor their workers.
collectors send their materials to irresponsible recyclers,5. Use computer and electronics recyclers that
who in turn "sell" the recycling cargo to exporters. Agenerate enough revenues from services to be able
few handshakes later and the e-waste cargo arrivesto allocate the proper budget toward responsible
at the ports of the global village's poorest countries.processing of toxic materials.
Since the U.S. prohibits dumping of electronic waste in6. Choose an electronics recycler that is well
other countries, most of the e-waste cargo is shippedrespected by environmentalists who have been
under the label "Used Equipment," whereas in factfocused on the e-waste crisis. These environmentalists
most of the recycled electronic waste is either too oldhave seen firsthand how dumping occurs and are
or too out-of-order to have any reuse value.very knowledgeable about how to identify responsible
In order to identify a responsible recycling company,recyclers.