The e-Stewards Certification and Standard, held by the Basel Action Network, is designed to prevent the deluge of obsolete electronic scrap into many developing countries.

In announcing its support of the e-Stewards certification, the NRDC is calling on all electronics recyclers to become e-Steward certified recyclers, and at the same time is asking all businesses to become designated “e-Steward Enterprises” by agreeing to give priority to e-Steward recyclers for their old electronic assets.

“This initiative is sorely needed,” says NRDC Senior Scientist Allen Hershkowitz. “Many e-waste recyclers claim to be green, but in reality they rely on unsafe and ecologically damaging methods like dumping millions of tons of toxic waste each year in China, India and Africa. E-Stewards provide businesses and consumers with a first-of-a-kind seal to identify the truly responsible recyclers.”

The e-Steward Certification is a fully accredited certification that relies on independent, third-party auditors to verify safe and ethical e-waste disposal. It is awarded to companies that recycle electronics without relying on using landfills and incinerators, exporting material to developing countries, or using prison labor for disposing of toxic old electronics.

Businesses that agree to make best efforts to use e-Steward recyclers will be rewarded as designated e-Stewards Enterprises. The first global companies to receive the e-Steward Enterprise designations, as well as the first certified e-Steward recyclers, will be announced next month.

At the present time there are about 50 North American recyclers considered “Pledged e-Stewards,” which have been vetted by BAN and are licensed and committed to becoming certified in the next 18 months.

Click here for a complete list of Pledged e-Stewards.