Steps Required to Become an E-Waste Certified Recycler in LA
Not just anyone can recycle e-waste. This is why so much of our electronic waste erroneously end up in landfills, where it contributes to pollution. Recycling companies like Go Junk Free are moving to become e-waste certified so that less e-waste winds up in landfills and more gets to the appropriate place.
Why Does California Recycle E-Waste?
In 2003, the state of California realized the serious amount of e-waste that was discarded when it could be recycled. The Electronic Waste Recycling Act of 2003 went into play, creating the Covered Electronic Waste Program.
Today CalRecycle handles the administrative side of setting up recycling rules and programs. Businesses that want to be certified for e-waste recycling must work with CalRecycle.
Required E-Waste Recycler Certifications
They should also get the suggested EPA certifications. These are the Responsible Recycling (“R2”) Standard for Electronics Recyclers and e-Stewards®-Standard for Responsible Recycling and Reuse of Electronic Equipment© (“e-Stewards”®).
The R2 program requires a webinar and application to get started. After learning the requirements, businesses must document their progress toward meeting certification standards. Evidence must be collected and saved for internal and external audits.
The e-Stewards® program includes brief study of the available statutes. Then an Environmental Management System should be built and documented. Independent certifiers review the system. Once the contract is offered, recyclers sign up for the administrative parts of e-Stewards®, including audits, licensing and marketing fees and company listing information.
Recycle, Reuse and Refurbish
One of the major issues with modern technology is that it is often cheaper to buy something new than repair an older model. This comes into play frequently when a button on a phone breaks. The phone may not be navigable now, but it could be refurbished later. Also, it’s parts could be taken apart to recycle and reuse.
At Go Junk Free we recycle over 80% of the products like this that we pick up. With the options to get e-waste into recycle, reuse and refurbishment programs, we do our best to get usable e-waste to these locations.
The materials – particularly the mined mineral materials – that go into our computers, phones, wires, etc. can be reused. In fact, reusing these materials prevents the need to mine further for them, which is both financially and environmentally preferable.
Go Junk Free Is Your Certified E-Waste Recycler
Go Junk Free is the local LA e-waste recycler that you need. From hauling your waste away to responsibly getting it into the right facilities to be refurbished, reused and recycled, Go Junk Free is committed to keep e-waste out of landfills.
