Computer Recycling and Computer Disposal

The vast majority of the equipment processed by CWI maintains a fair market value in the used equipment marketplace. Reuse is the most environmentally sound path for disposing of unwanted equipment; however a very small percentage of equipment, because of its age or condition, cannot be reused. When this is the case, CWI evaluates partners for computer recycling and computer disposal who follow industry best practices and adhere to environmental standards.

When choosing a recycling partner, we seek the following :

• A no landfill policy – nothing ends up in a landfill
• A no export policy – nothing is exported to third world countries
• ISO 9001:2008, ISO 14001, and OHSAS 18001:2007
• R2 Certified
• E-Stewards Certified

Certification Definitions

e-Stewards – This certification was launched by the Basel Action Network (BAN) to provide end-to-end accountability for all e-waste and computer recycling. The e-Stewards program encompasses a certified ISO 14001 Environmental Management System and R2 practices. In addition it focuses on:

• Data Security
• Health and Worker Safety
• No export of toxic materials to developing countries
• No prison labor for recycling
• No toxic waste disposal in solid waste landfills or incinerators

R2 – The R2 standard sets forth requirements relating to environmental, health, safety, and security aspects of electronics recycling.

R2 also requires e-recyclers to assure that more toxic material streams are managed safely and responsibly by downstream vendors-all the way to final disposition. It also prohibits e-recyclers and their downstream vendors from exporting these more toxic materials to countries that have enacted laws making their import illegal. The R2 Standard focuses on the performance of electronics recyclers in the areas of:

• Environmental and public health
• Worker health and safety
• Security (data and facility)
• The whole recycling process and chain of custody of materials through final disposition

ISO 9001 – ISO 9001:2008 is the International Standard for Quality Management Systems (QMS). It provides your company with a set of principles that ensure a common sense approach to the management of your business activities to consistently achieve customer satisfaction.

ISO 14001 – ISO 14001 is the principal management system standard which specifies the requirements for the formulation and maintenance of an EMS. There are three fundamental commitments required in an environmental policy that meets the requirements of ISO 14001. These include:

• Prevention of pollution
• Compliance with legislation
• Continual improvement of the EMS

These commitments help drive the improvements in overall environmental performance.

OHSAS 18001 – OHSAS 18001:2007 is the International Occupational Health and Safety Management Standard. It was published in July 2007, superseding OHSAS 18001:1999, and is intended to address occupational health and safety (OH&S) rather than product safety.

OHSAS 18001 provides a framework to the effective management of OH&S including compliance with the legislation that applies to your activities and identified hazards.

Contact us to discuss responsible computer recycling and e-waste disposal>