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FAQ on the e-Steward Program

Visit the e-Steward website

Find out about the problem of e-waste export and other low-road recycling practices

What about my local recycler?

You may have a local electronics recycler not listed under any of the options on this page. Should you use that recycler?

Consider this - many electronics recyclers export your old producs, instead of recycling them. We call them Fake Recyclers. Go here to learn more about fake recyclers.

Information for Recyclers

To be listed on our list of responsible recyclers, you must apply and be qualified by the Basel Action Network's E-Steward program. Find out how you can qualify here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Overview | How to recycle|

Find a responsible recycler

Don't use a fake recycler - use an e-Steward!

Reusing old products is best. But if your product is too old or too broken to donate, you should recycle it. But please be careful in choosing your recycler. Sadly, most recyclers simply export your old products, dumping them on developing nations. More on global e-waste dumping and fake recycling.

Your best recycling option is to see if there is an e-Steward (a responsible recycler) near you. Find an e-Steward here.

The e-Stewards Certification Program:
The New Gold Standard For Responsible Electronics Recycling

esteward logoThe Basel Action Network (BAN) has launched its new e-Steward certification program for electronics recyclers. The e-Steward standard is the higest standard now available in the electronics recycling industry, and it's complemented by a rigorous certification program. Recyclers are already becoming certified to this new e-Steward standard.

BAN has administered an e-Steward "Pledge" program for many years, asking recyclers to voluntarily pledge to adhere to high road standards, like not exporting toxic e-waste to developing countries, not sending it to prison labor facilities, and not incinerating e-waste. While "Pledgers" had to pass a review process, the program was not a full certification program, with third party on-site auditing. Because this industry is plagued by exporters and fake recyclers, we badly needed a certification program to help customers separate responsible recyclers from fake ones. BAN, a crusading organization against toxic waste trade decided to launch just such a program.

In developing the e-Stewards standard, BAN consulted with electronics manufacturers, recyclers, asset recovery companies, refiners, and experts to define a rigorous but practical global standard with environmental, social, and occupational parameters to finally solve the “e-waste anarchy.” Find an e-Steward here.

Fully accredited, third party auditing
The ANSI-ASQ National Accreditation Board (ANAB) will provide accreditation for the certifying bodies that will audit and certify the e-Stewards Certification program.

Copy of the standard
The e-Stewards standard incorporates the IS0 14001 standard for Environmental Management Systems, something that many recyclers are already being certified to. Because that is a standard that is not publicly available (and is only available for purchase) the BAN cannot make the full standard available for free to the public. It is available for purchase now for $125 on the e-Stewards website.

But BAN has also made available a excerpted version of the standards. It summarizes the ISO portion of the standards, and includes the rest of the industry specific standards. While you can't use this for certification purposes, you can see the summarized version here.

FAQ on the e-Steward Program (Opens PDF)

 

E-Stewardship: taking responsibility in the information age

Did you know that 80% of discarded electronics poison people in developing countries?

Watch the film to learn more about the problem of irresponsible recycling and qualified e-Stewards are providing the answer.