Redemtech is EU’s first e-stewards-certified recycler
Despite laws and international treaties that ban export of electronic waste (e-waste) from Europe to developing countries, recent media reports have spotlighted how this illicit trade continues to flow freely and devastate the environment in impoverished nations across Africa and Asia.
Redemtech has become the first company to achieve e-Stewards Electronic Recycling Certification in Europe. E-Stewards is the globally accredited, third-party audited e-waste recycling standards program developed by the Basel Action Network (BAN), and is the first certification standard available in Europe that ensures that recyclers do not deposit toxic e-waste in landfills or export it to the developing world.
According to Redemtech, their TCM Centre in Surrey, U.K. is the first e-Stewards-Certified facility in Europe, and the first outside the United States. While the EU has already enacted advanced e-waste disposition policies, laws are not always applied evenly across all member countries, and full enforcement is not possible, according to Jim Puckett, executive director of BAN.
“E-Stewards provides a third-party audit process to ensure compliance with environmental regulations irrespective of geographical location,” said Puckett. “Redemtech has been a long-term advocate for globally responsible electronics recycling and is an e-Stewards Founder,” he continued. “With its expanding global presence and focus on reuse of computer equipment, Redemtech enables European enterprises to ensure the highest standards of environmental stewardship.”
“We completed a thorough audit of Redemtech and found a high degree of process maturity to ensure accountability for all materials processed there,” said Stacey Blazik of AQA International, the third-party accrediting organisation that conducted Redemtech’s certification. “Redemtech has the necessary processes in place and has been following them rigorously.”
E-Stewards is a globally accredited, third-party audited program developed by the Basel Action Network (BAN), with support from environmental groups and industry leaders. Specifically, e-Stewards certification enforces compliance with European WEEE regulations by demanding a level of accountability and audit control that is unprecedented in the industry. The certification also assures integrity of recycling operations through a rigorous independent audit process conducted by accredited bodies. It provides a detailed 67-page guidance document for auditors and recyclers to ensure consistent application of the standard.
The e-Stewards Certification program was developed through a multi-stakeholder process that included the environmental community; prominent recyclers, such as Redemtech; some manufacturers; and a number of large corporate end-users. E-Stewards has been endorsed by more than 60 environmental organisations worldwide.
“E-waste is an ongoing problem across Europe, and we are committed to delivering solutions of the highest standard for our clients, to ensure an efficient, cost-effective approach to essential due diligence,” said Robert Houghton, president of Redemtech. “E-Stewards provide the accountability and audit controls organisations need to ensure that electronic equipment is handled with consistent standards on a global basis to support data security and environmental compliance.”
“The e-Stewards standard is consistent with the operating practices we have employed at this facility since its inception,” said Robin Gue, Managing Director of Redemtech’s European operations. “The certification gives our clients added confidence that their electronic waste is not contributing to the global e-waste problem and is being handled in accordance with all local and international laws.”