What to Consider: Selecting
the Right Electronics Recycling & Asset Management Vendor
As the sales executive with an R2 & ISO-14001 certified
electronics recycling, scrap purchasing, and asset management corporation, I
could write all day about why I think Dynamic Recycling should be your
e-recycling vendor. I would rather provide you with the appropriate information
to conduct your own evaluation/analysis of what to look for in choosing a
recycler that is the right fit for your organization’s needs and expectations.
The following article will provide added value to your search for a reliable,
responsible, and service driven recycler who will accommodate all of your
electronics recycling and asset recovery needs.
Environmental Responsibility:
A. Electronics Recycling Certifications:
There are two highly recognized
industry certifications that set the playing field for proper electronics
disposal practices and environmental standards for appropriate electronics
recycling, asset recovery and e-scrap commodity processing. These
certifications are considered throughout the industry as the most important
aspect in an electronics recycler’s standard for environmental responsibility.
Although there are several
opinions as to which certification is superior and contains the best standards,
but I will leave that up to you to decide, as both certifications promote
environmentally sustainable methods for electronics recycling. I have provided
you the links to both certifications website’s below:
1.
Responsible Recycling (R2) Certification:
2.
E-Stewards Certification:
B. International Organization for
Standardization (ISO):
The International Organization for
Standardization otherwise known as ISO, provides management standards;
ISO-14001 & ISO-9001, to the electronics recycling industry within the
areas of Environmental (14001) and Quality Management (9001). Each of these standards are recognized
globally and considered management standards within the world’s economy. I have listed links to both the Environmental
Management (IS0-14001) and Quality Management (ISO-9001) standards. Both standards should be understood and
considered when evaluating an electronics recycler for its services.
2.
Quality Management ISO-9001:2004
C. Internal Safety Standards and State
Legislation Compliance
This section is also considered an
important part in evaluating and selecting an electronics recycling vendor.
Each state has standards for pollution liability, facility and grounds
regulations/standards, zoning, etc. It is a crucial part in the vendor
selection process, to make sure that they possess and can provide you with the
correct documents that prove their compliance with state/federal laws and
regulations. Common documents that different state departments require:
1.
Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan
2.
Pollution Liability Insurance in relation to
State mandated coverage amounts
3.
Annual or more frequent air testing of facility
(OSHA Requirement)
4.
DNR Registration and EPA ID Number
5.
Zero Landfill Ban for Electronics (this is not
mandated law by any state governments, but often preferred)
6.
Financially Guaranteed Closure Plan: Guarantees
that your company is not held liable if the recycler goes out of business due
to pollution caused by materials your company is responsible for sending them.
7.
OSHAS 18001 international Health and Safety
Management System
Data Security: Standards for Data
Destruction & Sanitization
A. Methods for Data Destruction and Sanitation
There are two common ways to destroy the
data found on your company’s hard drives, media devices, usb’s, and cellular
devices.
One of those ways is to electronically clear,
purge, and/or wipe date from the hard drive or data containing device. This allows you to continue to utilize the
device for its general purposes but with no previously existing information
remaining on the device for further users to obtain.
The other side of the data
destruction coin is the standard for physical destruction of the data
containing device. Specifically pertaining to hard drive destruction; shredding or perforating the hard drive are
two highly recognized processes in physically destroying the data within the
device as well as the device itself.
B. Data Destruction/Sanitation Standards
There are three common
standards/certifications for Data Destruction as recognized within the
electronics recycling and asset management industry. When recycling devices
that contain sensitive data please audit your selected electronics recycling
vendor and make sure they are destroying data to one or more the below stated
standards:
1.
National Association of Information Destruction:
NAID Certification
2.
Department of Defense Data Destruction: DoD
5220.22M Standard
3.
National Institute of Standards and Technology:
NIST 800-88 Standard
Customer Service and Value of
Services Provided:
A. Value of Service over Price
I believe in the old saying “You get what
you pay for”. I find this true in many situations personally but also in
business. The electronics recycling industry is a perfect example of this
saying. There are recyclers who will provide the jaw dropping lowest price, but
I wouldn’t be so quick to jump on to their ship. There are several factors
including all of the information previously provided, that play important roles
in dictating a recycling corporation’s pricing structure and profit margins.
B.
The Cost
of Doing Things Right
When recycling, there are companies that promote themselves
through the value in the services they provide. We need to allow ourselves to
step away from the “cut to the chase and get to the price mindset”, and allow
yourself to understand what the recycler can do for your company in providing
the best services. Being able to provide the best services doesn’t come cheap
for the recycler and in some occasions for their customers. Through the money recyclers continue to
invest in the following; R2 and/or E-Stewards certified certifications, fully
securing their facility (24/7 surveillance, keycard access, etc.) paying their
workers, and purchasing and maintaining equipment to be able to meet/exceed
customer’s data destruction, reporting, and processing standards. These items
are just a small chunk of the cost that recycling corporations take on, to
ensure that the customer’s recycling expectations are being met and done in the
right manner for years to come. Only then, can we truly be honest in saying we
can provide, you the customer, the highest value through the services we
provide. Most of us understand, that when we pay top dollar for something, we
expect it to last. Not only it what the product or service provides to us but
in the quality of what is provided through the product or service.
C. The Cost in Getting the Cheapest Price
Does this section make sense? In
the electronics recycling world, the answer is absolutely! There are many
corners available for recyclers to cut in providing the cheapest price to their
customers. I have listed a few prevalent examples below:
1.
Exporting:
Exporting is probably one of the biggest issues/laws in the
industry. The EPA does NOT allow the exporting
of any hazardous materials containing devices to be exported to underdeveloped
countries (i.e. China, Malaysia, India, Most of Africa, etc.). There are recyclers
and companies working with or within these countries, and find ways to
illegally ship materials into the country. This will allow the recycler to pay
higher prices for this material, as the companies in the underdeveloped
countries don’t have to worry about high labor costs, environmentally
responsible disposal, and/or proper handling of hazardous materials contained
within most electronic devices/parts. Money is the number one driver on both
sides of the exporting fence!!!
2.
Landfilling:
Landfilling is when a company is able to dispose of electronic devices
and their materials by dumping them into a landfill. Some states such as
Wisconsin and Illinois have implemented “No Landfill Bans for Electronics”
throughout the state, requiring all recyclers, residents, etc. to dispose of
electronics properly. Other states still allow landfilling of electronic
materials but prefer they be recycled properly. Research your state regulations
as well as the recycler’s processing standards. If they do landfill some
material, please be aware of what this entails. When electronics are landfilled,
materials such as lead, ink/toner cartridges, and circuit boards contain
materials that leach (leak) hazardous material as it breaks down and decomposes
its potential to harm the environment, wildlife, and possibly the people inhabiting
the area near the landfill.
D. Affordability in Accommodating Your
Financial Requirements
In all business to business relationships
there has to be a focus on price and financial analysis. We need to research
and compare equally qualified vendors and the pricing that they provide. Although
many organizations would have this section at the top of the list in deciding
on an electronics recycling vendor, I did not. I believe in getting the best
value and service for the best price rather than receiving the best price for
the value and service received. I have
suggested in the section below a few key points in how to further be able
achieve getting the best price and service in acquiring your electronics
recycling vendor.
1.
Be Honest
If you have found a vendor that can seemingly provide you with the best
service, in which every other organization’s money but your own can afford. Be
honest. Let them know your budget and/or the services you are currently receiving
and what to expect in choosing a new vendor. There are many options that can be
discussed on both the vendor and customer’s side of the coin that can help
lower the costs.
2.
Explain in detail
Give the potential vendor the opportunity to understand from a 360 degree
perspective; your requirements, expectations, past productions and future
projections in electronics to be recycled and/or updated within your company.
This will allow the recycler to provide to you the most accurate and detailed
proposal in providing you their services (i.e. pricing structure: evaluated
costs & profits to your company).
3.
Conduct an On-Site Audit
Our schedules may be hectic, but
with the before mentioned “red flag” items to look out for, it is worth your
time and your company’s reputation to conduct an on-site audit of your
potential recycler’s facility and operations. “Don’t always trust what you hear”, “See it to
believe it”, “Don’t judge a book buy it’s cover”….-There is more than one of
these sayings for a reason.
About Dynamic
Recycling
Dynamic Recycling is a full service electronics recycling,
scrap purchasing/brokering, and electronic asset management corporation located
in La Crosse, WI. We have been providing customer driven, affordable and
environmentally responsible services to residents, businesses, and
municipalities throughout the Upper Midwest since 2007. In addition to being
able to service the Upper Midwest with our electronics recycling services, we
are also able apply our scrap purchasing and asset management services to
customers on a nationwide level. Please feel free to contact us with any
business inquiries at info@dynamicrecycling.com
or call us toll free at 1-877-781-4030.
