The E-Stewards vs. R2 Debate: Make the Choice to Stop E-Waste Exports

A guest column I authored for GreenerComputing “What Is – and What Isn’t – Responsible Recycling,” touches on the critical issues businesses must consider in choosing between two competing electronics recycling standards ostensibly intended to clean up an industry that’s proven over the years to be anything but trustworthy.

On the surface, the two standards seem to dictate many of the same outcomes—reuse first, recycle next and provide accountable control over toxic substances domestically and abroad. Anyone who digs a bit deeper will understand why Redemtech has strongly supported the e-Stewards Certification over the “Responsible Recycling” R2 alternative.

As Matthew Wheeland commented in the GreenerComputing e-newsletter, “There are some big differences, and companies looking for truly responsible recycling may be in for a big shock if they don't read the fine print.”

My GreenerComputing post provides only a high-level overview of the distinctions between R2 and e-Stewards. Redemtech will be publishing a detailed comparison of the fifteen page R2 standard versus the 116 pages of the e-Steward Certification and Guidance documents in the near future. What the scant R2 standard leaves unspecified and undefined, unscrupulous recyclers will certainly exploit to continue their toxic practices.

The e-Stewards ISO 14001 framework, developed under the auspices of the Basel Action Network (BAN), ensures organizations are not contributing to global pollution, endangering human health or putting critical data at risk, and that they are fully compliant with international law. To ensure this level of corporate social responsibility, e-Stewards focus on three key principles:

• Recycling instead of landfill or incineration
• No exports of e-waste to developing countries
• Zero prison labor allowed anywhere in the supply chain

As a starting point for our upcoming comparison, let’s look at how these two standards compare with regard just to the above principles.

Issue 1: Disposal of e-waste in landfills and incinerators

e-Stewards: Strict guidelines that keep e-waste out of solid waste disposal facilities, with one exception (cleaned, phosphor-free leaded glass is allowed in lined, leachate-controlled landfills as a last resort, if allowed by law).

R2: Offers a major loophole, stating that whenever there are “circumstances beyond the recycler’s control,” e-waste can go to “land disposal” or incineration. In what circumstances would this be permitted? It could be just about anything – the R2 standards do not specify. It’s an open invitation for unethical recyclers to landfill or burn e-waste.

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Issue 2: Banning e-waste exports to developing countries

e-Stewards: Yes

R2: No. While R2 calls for exports “only to countries that legally accept them,” it relies on the recyclers themselves to determine legality. R2 permits the export of untested equipment if it is designated for refurbishment by a qualified supplier—another invitation to continue the toxic trade in electronic scrap.

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Issue 3: Prohibit use of prison labor for e-waste recycling

e-Stewards: Yes

R2: No. The federal government and many commercial recyclers use prison labor for much of their e-waste recycling. The prisons have a well-documented history of work area contamination, and uncontrolled toxin exposures.

Stay tuned for the detailed side-by-side comparison. We welcome you to join our free News Bureau service to have information related to the responsible management of electronics and data delivered to your inbox. Sign up here.

The large manufacturers and scrap metal recyclers association (ISRI) are well funded, and committed to R2, so the debate is just getting started. Companies can count on a rigorous certification program to save vendor audit costs and reduce their compliance risks—if the certification standard unambiguously supports their corporate policy. This is no time for loopholes.

Comments

[Lauren Roman]

Terrific article and the differences in the Standards outlined above are critical for people to understand when chosing a recycler.

Please visit www.e-Stewards.org for more information on finding a truly responsible recycler and thanks to Redemtech for taking the lead on this!

[Robert Houghton]

The Basel Action Network is the holding body for the e-Stewards Standard. Redemtech pays a licensing fee to BAN for underwriting the maintenance and promotion of the certification program. We receive no benefits for being an e-Steward other than the competitive advantage of being certified to the worlds highest standard for responsible recycling by an independent, ANAB-accredited certifying body.

[jim]

are you paid by e stewards?