Image: Accra, Ghana, 2009. ©2009 Basel Action Network (BAN).

E-Stewards is a globally accredited programme that ensures recyclers do not deposit toxic e-waste in landfills, or export it to developing countries, which is illegal under the WEEE directive. The recycler’s facility must also operate in accordance with all applicable local and international laws.

To become e-Stewards certified, BAN says Redemtech met its
e-Stewards Standard and independent audits to that standard by an ANAB-accredited certifying body. Redemtech was among the first companies to receive the e-Stewards certification when BAN launched the programme in the US in April.

BAN says that recent reports have shown that, despite exporting e-waste being illegal, lack of enforcement has led to far too much toxic WEEE leaking out of Europe’s ports and sailing via container ship to Asia and Africa. The group explained that the waste is often recycled in primitive and environmentally damaging conditions or simply dumped or burned if there is no market for it.

According to BAN, the latest switch from analogue to digital displays and flat screen technology has created a “tsunami” of old TVs and computer monitors flooding ports in Asia, Ghana and Nigeria.

BAN’s Executive Director Jim Puckett said: “Despite it being blatantly illegal, far too much toxic WEEE is being exported to developing countries. E-Stewards Certification is critical to fight against illicit e-waste exports and provides customers of WEEE recyclers, both large and small, with concrete accountability in the form of third-party audits.

“Certified e-Stewards Recyclers, like Redemtech EU, have proven systems in place to ensure customers that they don’t have to rely on trust when it comes to choosing a recycler.

“The WEEE crisis is beginning to have severe irreversible impacts globally. European companies that want to minimize risk and costs of compliance would be well advised to take advantage of this latest sustainability initiative.”

Redemtech President Robert Houghton said: “Redemtech is proud to be the first e-Stewards recycler certified in Europe, which is consistent with our company’s tradition of leadership in setting the highest standards for data security and environmental stewardship.

“We moved quickly with the certification process to provide large enterprises with a global partner they can trust to handle their e-waste with complete transparency and accountability and support the e-Stewards Standard as the worldwide industry standard for truly responsible e-waste management.”

The new e-Stewards certification is currently available in all 41 OECD (Organisation for Economic Cooperation), EU (European Union) and EFTA (European Free Trade Association) countries.

Companies and institutions that agree to make best efforts to always use e-Stewards recyclers, can be designated as e-Stewards Enterprises. Currently Samsung, Capital One, Premier Farnell, Bank of America and Wells Fargo Banks are among the already designated e-Stewards Enterprises.

The e-Stewards standard has been endorsed by the Environmental Justice Foundation in the UK and the European Environmental Bureau, Greenpeace USA, the Sierra Club, and the Natural Resources Defense Council, among more than 60 other environmental organizations.