(re) blog: dialogue with Redemtech

Sustainable Data

The seemingly clean, organized, easily-searched, nearly invisible mounds of digital data that represent our lives juxtaposed against dust-laden file-cabinets, full of processed paper pulp that is so “last-decade,” would, on the surface, present a good argument for sustainability. Eliminate paper, save trees, no toxic inks, good.

EPA’s Awakening Kindles Hope for End to National E-waste Dumping Scandal

Last month, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Chief Administrator Lisa Jackson declared at an international conference in Mexico that preventing e-waste and the related practices of irresponsibly managing it would now officially become one of the EPA’s top six global priorities. The other five: reducing carbon emissions, improving air quality, improving water quality, reducing toxics exposures and building stronger institutional frameworks.

E-waste, Recycling Companies and Liability

Over my 33-year career in the recycling industry, I’ve seen some interesting things come up that now seem pertinent to the e-waste problem.
 
In 1983, I was working for a person with a chemical engineering background. One day, he asked if I would be interested in developing a rain water retention system. At that time, the facility was the most modern Lead smelter built in the U.S. I said sure, I knew of sulfuric acid retention, but rain water? It turned out that our rain runoff had become an environmental concern.

Delivering On the Promise of Responsible Recycling―In Europe

Our friends in Europe led the way toward responsible electronics recycling by implementing the WEEE Directive regulating all forms of electronic waste in the European Union. Unfortunately, mere laws and good intentions have done little to stem the tide of toxic ewaste flowing from the EU into developing countries, particularly to western Africa. 

A Geeky Blog: Why All Organizations Need ITAM

Apologies to those whose eyes glaze at the sight of another IT acronym, but I’m going to ask that you stay with me for this one. Whether you’re “in” IT or not, this subject actually does apply to you, and I’ll explain why.

EPA’s Recognition of e-Stewards is Good, But Won’t End Confusion

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has finally decided to formally recognize the e-Stewards Recyclers certification standards developed by our group, the Basel Action Network. You can read more about it here. Chalk one up for environmental responsibility. The responsible environmental community hails this decision simply because the e-Stewards standard is the only one that bans hazardous electronic waste exports to developing countries – one of the most deadly pollution sources today.

60 Minutes Showcase on Spying Hints at Dirty Secret: E-waste Contains Classified Data

An interesting story on last Sunday’s 60 Minutes program showcased a pervasive foreign spying threat against the United States. In the program, U.S. government officials identified China as one of the top threats to our nation’s information security. But it’s clear the threat goes far beyond national security.