The Basel Action Network ( BAN ) announced today that the world’s largest electronics recycler, Sims Recycling Solutions, Inc. ( SRS ) has signed a contract with Orion Registrars to certify each of its 14 North American electronics processing sites to the e-Stewards® Standard over the next 18 months.
The e-Stewards Certification is known as the “gold standard” for environmentally sound and socially responsible electronics recycling in an industry too often plagued with irresponsible actors. e-Stewards Certified Recyclers undergo rigorous onsite audits to ensure they never allow the export of hazardous electronic waste (e-waste) to developing countries throughout their recycling chain, while preventing the unauthorized release of personal and corporate data from old computers.
“We welcome Sims into the formal process for becoming certified to the e-Stewards Standard,” said Sarah Westervelt, BAN’s e-Stewardship Policy Director. “Their commitment to responsible and clean operations is already apparent, and soon customers will have the added assurance that they meet the e-Stewards Standard for globally responsible electronics recycling.”
In a statement, SRS said it believes that the e-Stewards program provides the most clear, unambiguous and robust approach to e-waste processing. Confirming the rigor of the standard, the e-Stewards Certification incorporates ISO 14001 the R2 certifications as well as unique e-Stewards requirements in one standard and audit.
In addition to e-Stewards certification, both SRS and BAN support the passage of the Responsible Electronics Recycling Act. This proposed federal legislation would prohibit the export of toxic e-waste from the U.S. to developing countries and ensure that the U.S acts in accordance with the waste trading rules established by the United Nations Environment Program’s Basel Convention.
“Sims is not only the largest e-waste recycler in North America, but their support of boththe market initiative — the e-Stewards Certification — and legislation in the US Congress toprevent the dumping of hazardous wastes on developing countries must be admired,” said BAN’s Executive Director Jim Puckett. “Leaders lead, and Sims has clearly shown it has nohesitation in doing so.”
For more information contact:
Sarah Westervelt
BAN e-Stewardship Policy Director
206-652-5555
Jim Puckett
BAN Executive Director
206-652-5555
About the e-Stewards Program
The e-Stewards® Initiative is a market-based solution to help customers of any typeidentify and promote those electronics recyclers that ensure that used electronics aremanaged to the highest standards of environmental and social responsibility. e-StewardsCertified Recyclers are independently audited and certified by accredited certificationbodies to the e-Stewards® Standard for Responsible Recycling and Reuse of ElectronicEquipment. e-Stewards Enterprises are major corporations, municipalities or institutionsthat agree to make best efforts to make use of e-Stewards Certified Recyclers. For moreinformation about the e-Stewards Initiative visit: www.e-Stewards.org
The e-Stewards® Initiative is a market-based solution to help customers of any typeidentify and promote those electronics recyclers that ensure that used electronics aremanaged to the highest standards of environmental and social responsibility. e-StewardsCertified Recyclers are independently audited and certified by accredited certificationbodies to the e-Stewards® Standard for Responsible Recycling and Reuse of ElectronicEquipment. e-Stewards Enterprises are major corporations, municipalities or institutionsthat agree to make best efforts to make use of e-Stewards Certified Recyclers. For moreinformation about the e-Stewards Initiative visit: www.e-Stewards.org
About Sims Recycling Solutions, Inc.
Sims Recycling Solutions ( us.simsrecycling.com) is the global leader in electronics reuseand recycling, offering customers in every business sector comprehensive recyclingservices out of our 50 owned and operated sites across the globe. Sims RecyclingSolutions – owned by Sims Metal Management, the world’s largest publicly listed metaland electronics recycler – has the global reach, expertise and infrastructure necessary toguarantee our customers that their data is secure, their electronic equipment is processedin an environmentally responsible manner, their reputation is protected and theircompliance risks are eliminated. In North America, Sims Recycling Solutions operates 14sites in Arizona, California, Florida, Illinois, Nevada, New Jersey, Ontario, South Carolina,Tennessee and Texas.
Sims Recycling Solutions ( us.simsrecycling.com) is the global leader in electronics reuseand recycling, offering customers in every business sector comprehensive recyclingservices out of our 50 owned and operated sites across the globe. Sims RecyclingSolutions – owned by Sims Metal Management, the world’s largest publicly listed metaland electronics recycler – has the global reach, expertise and infrastructure necessary toguarantee our customers that their data is secure, their electronic equipment is processedin an environmentally responsible manner, their reputation is protected and theircompliance risks are eliminated. In North America, Sims Recycling Solutions operates 14sites in Arizona, California, Florida, Illinois, Nevada, New Jersey, Ontario, South Carolina,Tennessee and Texas.