If your business is in the electronics sector, it may be worth obtaining your certification as an e-Steward or in Responsible Recycling Practices through the US EPA. These two certifications are granted through the EPA by an outside auditor to show consumers and individual recyclers that your business upholds national safety for e-recycling standards.

From a consumer’s perspective, here are just a few of the benefits of obtaining certification and following best-practices in the management of electronics recycling:

• Reducing environmental and health impacts that can occur when e-wate is improperly recycled;
• the collection of electronics increases the availability of devices to those in need or for non-profit organizations;
• the components from electronic devices can be reused thus reducing the need for increased mining of raw materials and metals.

Certification programs focus on fully adhering to environmental standards and require participating businesses to completely remove and destroy all data on electronics left for recycling. These program also require that businesses also ensure good practices in the areas of worker health and safety practices when handling all e-waste.

From the business view, consumers have a greater level of trust toward certified e-recyclers as they have met the high standards for safety and management as outlined by the EPA. This can contribute to individuals choosing to patronize your business over another who is without the certification distinction.

WasteCare Wants You to Remember: Certification can help your business distinguish itself from others and provides a value-added benefit from the consumer’s perspective. This can not only help you to increase and grow your business but contribute to good environmental practices.