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E steward certification11/21/2023 To solve toxic trade and occupational health and safety risks, BAN created the e-Stewards ® Program in 2009. Without proper safeguards, they can unknowingly transport these toxins home to their families and neighbors. Even at low levels, toxic substances can have adverse health effects. As soon as recyclers begin disassembling and processing our old gadgets, they’re potentially exposed to toxins. Occupational Health and SafetyĮven in recycling facilities in more developed countries, workers and their families are at risk. In short, it means poisoning people and the planet. In these impoverished communities, “recycling” often means burning circuit boards, soaking microchips in acid, and burning plastics to sort them by order. These companies cut costs by offloading dismantling and recycling to impoverished countries with lax labor laws, weak environmental regulations, and poor human rights track records.Īs a result of this massive, global flow of e-waste, former farming villages in countries like Vietnam, China, and Nigeria are now e-waste dumps. Toxic Tradeĭespite Basel Convention hazardous waste trade regulations, some questionable recycling companies are merely brokers that export e-waste to less developed countries. In accordance with the Basel Convention, BAN aims to ensure that e-waste is recycled responsibly, rather than dumped on less developed countries. The United Nations Basel Convention restricts the trade of e-waste because of these toxic components. Responsible recycling recirculates these metals back through the economy, thus reducing the demand for new materials.Į-waste is hazardous waste because it contains these toxic components. Mining, refining, and manufacturing the valuable components of e-waste consume a great deal of energy and take a toll on the environment. Some of the valuable materials that make up e-waste are: These gadgets contain various components and pieces, some valuable, some toxic, and some both. Household electronics like electronic kitchen gadgetsĬhildren’s toys that light up or play music E-waste is the fastest growing waste stream on the planet. Once discarded, everything with a cord or battery becomes electronic waste, or e-waste for short. In most cases a certifying body will conduct an audit upon successful completion of the audit a certificate will be issued.The screen you’re reading this off of now will one day become electronic waste. Companies wishing to become e-Stewards should ensure the company is in compliance with the standards requirements then contact a certifying body to begin the certification process. This certification is for electronics recyclers, asset recovery companies, refiners, processors and others in the electronics recycling industry.Ĭertifications are issued by third party certifying bodies. The standard prohibits toxic waste from being disposed of in solid waste landfills and incinerators and requires full compliance with international hazardous waste treaties for export/import of electronics among others. This standard encompasses ISO 14001 and R2 (Responsible Recycling) practices. E-Stewards is a company level certification based on a standard developed by the environmental community and industry members titled "e-Stewards Standard for Responsible Recycling and Reuse of Electronic Equipment� ".
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