Not long ago, the CBS “60 Minutes” broadcast a report on global e-waste dumping. The reporters follow to reach the trail of electronic recycling elements of a Denver-based company to Hong Kong, China and captured the so-called “recycling” business-handed in global e-waste dumping.
Finish with more than 80% of the recycled electronics and computers as a high-tech e-waste in developing countries like China, India and Africa, it is necessary, as a step up responsible citizens of the world, and select software companies and recycling electronics carefully . We support only electronics recycling company that has both a socially and environmentally sound are operating, end to end. To understand how global dumping will help to first understand the business model of electronic recycling.
To maintain as a company to electronic recycling company sufficient revenue generated from all services of recycling and reuse and recycling of precious metals and other recyclable materials, less operating costs and the cost of production of these articles that do not value (but harm the environment).
The difference between a computer and the company is environmentally friendly recycling of electronic products and irresponsible divided as follows: a) the form of revenue recycling, b), such as precious metals and recover recyclable materials, c) and management of in-process low-value manufacturing, toxic elements.
Consider the process of recovery of precious metals for a moment. A responsible company would invest in a safe environment with proper equipment to protect workers and the proper treatment of wastes to prevent environmental pollution. In addition, a recycler of electronic equipment for production work with special equipment that protects workers from dangerous substances or dust that escapes during the manufacturing process.
An irresponsible recycling company avoids any investment in manufacturing. In fact, irresponsible recyclers never eyes on the workers, who finally signed up surplus electronic components separately. As seen on “60 Minutes” program, workers are often underpaid workers in remote villages, with their hands and simple tools such as chisels and hammers to pry precious materials discarded concepts. into rivers or streams, or burned in a swamp – - The last parts are then discarded dumped everywhere cause public health problems.
Most hazardous materials are found in electronic waste the precious metals not recovered, but the value is used toxic substances like mercury in switches and flat screens, and brominated flame retardants in printed circuit boards found, cables and plastic sleeves. These are materials that require a significant investment in the manufacturing process. In summary, the cost of operating a security company responsible for production of electronic recycling far more difficult than the widespread replacement: global dumping.
Bow to the higher prices offered to recover the world irresponsibly dump truck, said many recycling collectors send your materials irresponsible recyclers who in turn sell the recycling burden on exporters. A few handshakes later, and the burden of electronic waste is in the ports of the poorest countries in the global village. From the United States prohibits the dumping of electronic waste in other countries, much of the burden of electronic waste under the label of “used machine” when in fact most of the electronic waste recycling too old or sent by order will have no reuse value.
For the identification of responsible recycling companies must first be able to recognize the telltale signs that a recycling company dedicated to the worldwide dumping.
irresponsible recycling companies:
1. Avoid the public about the electronic waste crisis available on the company website or marketing materials of the company. make irresponsible recyclers of electronics, it seems very easy for the consumer is not going to all questions.
2. Skip the details on how to prevent the control and management of the recycling process at the global dumping. Even if consumers know, the easier it is irresponsible for an electronics recycling in some form of global dumping
3. Greenwash organize events with non-profit organizations in good standing who do not understand the proper recycling process. To recycling of electronic processes simple and hidden under the guise of fundraising for schools, chambers of commerce, police leagues Association and other nonprofit organizations, electronics recyclers disarm the people on the “donations” from their unwanted electronics in fundraising events. Electronics recyclers in a fundraising campaign to greenwash We charge involved no recycling, but generate enough funds to donate to charity and can afford the high cost of production of toxic elements. This business model is not available because there are simply too good to be true. It is also an abuse of the goodwill of nonprofit organizations. The truth is that this means “recyclers” elements that are taken for money to complete and can then dump the rest of the developing countries to collect. Emergence of a minimum handling costs by selling them as “export”. This is how 80% of computer and electronics recycling materials in the United States end up in e-scrap in developing countries.
4. Not have either to operate a fixed address for electronics recycling plant or a proper permit as a recycling center. Many use a P.O. Box or simply a telephone number published in the collection area of ​​the campaigns. If you call, always immediately after an answering machine. Not available for more information on their services one.
Now that you know how to identify an electronic recycling company know irresponsible, let us write what appears to be a company for recycling electronic equipment.
1. Find a recycler of electronics that a corporate commitment to solving the global crisis, says electronic waste.
2. The use of computers and electronics recycling actively recycle the public about the crisis of electronic waste and socially responsible manner and to manufacture.
3. Make sure recycling company can demonstrate its comprehensive electronic items for re-evaluation process to track the items de-production and monitoring system for the entire production process.
4. Electronics recyclers only support manufacturing in the U.S. based you have the proper permits, manufacturing of machines and processes, security and surveillance system for health workers.
5. Recyclers use computer and electronics, which generate sufficient income from services at reasonable budget responsible processing of hazardous materials provided.
6. Select is an electronics recycler far from environmentalists, who have focused on e-waste crisis respected. These environmentalists have seen first hand how it produces the dumping and are very knowledgeable on how to identify responsible recyclers.