Not All Recycling Is Good For The Environment
Monday, April 26, 2010
LOS ANGELES - E-waste recycling is a good thing, but only if it's done in a good way. That's the idea behind a new program that ensures old computers and other electronics are being disposed of in a way that won't harm people or the environment. The new e-Steward Certification program will help Californians choose a responsible recycler.
Stephanie Rico, assistant vice-president of environmental affairs with Wells Fargo Bank, says her company is backing the program.
"The e-Stewardship program really makes it easy for consumers to know and be confident that their e-waste is ending up being handled in the most responsible way possible."
In order to earn the e-Stewards Standard, recyclers pledge to eliminate exports of hazardous e-wastes to developing countries and to halt the dumping of such wastes in municipal landfills or incinerators.
Rico says Wells Fargo will only use recyclers with e-Steward Certification, and hope their customers do the same.
"We know that our customers care about environmental issues, we care about environmental issues, and we want to make it known that we're doing what we can to keep our e-waste out of places where it does not belong."
The certification program was created by the Basel Action Network, which first documented the dumping of toxic electronic waste in China and Africa back at the beginning of the decade. The program is the first such program backed by environmental organizations and major corporations alike.
There's more information, including locations of certified recyclers in California, at
www.e-stewards.org
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