PC Recycler Lands Federal Contract for Destruction Services
PC Recycler, based in Chantilly, Va., has been awarded a contract by the General Services Administration, the procurement arm of the U.S. federal government, to provide off-site and on-site hard drive shredding as well as tape, disk and cell phone shredding and degaussing services.
Using a 4,000-pound dual-shaft shredder, PC Recycler can shred 1,000 pounds of metal or 500 standard hard drives per hour. The shredder was retrofitted into a 26-foot box truck with its own power supply.
The destruction process also can include degaussing services to ensure a customer’s compliance with government regulations for destroying classified and top-secret data according to National Institute of Standards and Technology, National Security Agency and Department of Defense standards.
PC Recycler also notes that it has developed a proprietary method for recording auditable information from the data storage devices before they are destroyed. Each storage device has serial number information and certain specifications. PC Recycler has the ability to capture each unit’s information using portable data collectors. This information is used to generate a detailed inventory and documentation that an agency can use in the case of an audit, according to the company.
Wisconsin Event Collects 236,000 Pounds of Electronics
Nearly 2,000 residents of southeastern Wisconsin visited the Wisconsin State Fair grounds March 14 to drop off more than 236,000 pounds of electronics during a collection event hosted by the city of Milwaukee and Keep Greater Milwaukee Beautiful and sponsored by Samsung.
Televisions accounted for 55 percent by weight of the electronics collected for recycling, according to a press release from the city of Milwaukee.
CRT Processing LLC processed the material at its Janesville, Wis., facility.
The equipment collected at the event filled 18 semi-trailers plus another truck, exceeding expectations by about 50 percent, according to event organizers.
"The extreme popularity of the event is a great illustration of the need for increased opportunities for recycling electronics," Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett says.
Wisconsin State Sen. Mark Miller has introduced Senate Bill 107 (www.legis.state.wi.us/senate/sen16/news/Issues/Electronics_Recycling.asp), which would require manufacturers to provide for the collection and recycling of electronic equipment that they sell in Wisconsin. The bill is modeled after a similar law in Minnesota and would establish recycling quotas based on a manufacturer’s market share and allows for the sale or banking of recycling credits that exceed these goals.
"Samsung’s sponsorship of the March 14th event shows how some manufacturers are stepping up to develop the infrastructure that they will need to fulfill their responsibilities under the proposed law," says Rick Meyers, recycling specialist for the city of Milwaukee.
ISRI Supports Electronic Device Recycling Research and Development ActThe Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries Inc. (ISRI), Washington, D.C., has voiced its support for H.R. 1580, the Electronic Device Recycling Research and Development Act.
The bill authorizes the administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to award grants for electronic device recycling research, development and demonstration projects, and for other purposes. The legislation also would authorize appropriations for the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to develop a database of alternative materials for use in electronic devices.
"This is the first federal bill to advance responsible electronics recycling and promotes a core recycling principle—what ISRI refers to as Design for Recycling—that encourages manufacturers to design their products with sustainable recycling principles in mind," says Scott Horne, ISRI interim president. "ISRI sincerely appreciates the recognition that "electronic scrap" is not "waste" but rather a product, which can be manufactured into valuable raw materials that can then be used to produce new basic materials. This is an important principle that, heretofore, has not been well understood," he adds.
Intel Recognizes Xstrata Recycling
Xstrata Recycling, Toronto, has been recognized by Intel Corp. with the semiconductor manufacturer’s Preferred Quality Supplier award for 2008.
Xstrata supplies Intel with what it calls high-value inventory component scrap processing that it says has been well received by Intel. Xstrata was one of 26 suppliers to receive the award.
"Xstrata Recycling is very pleased to be recognized by Intel for our efforts in providing a high level of service to Intel," says Sean Magann, commercial manager for Xstrata Recycling. "Intel and Xstrata share a similar dedication to sustainable development, and it is a pleasure working with Intel to address the challenges that accompany a comprehensive and world-class global recycling program."
The PQS awards are part of Intel’s Supplier Continuous Quality Improvement process designed to encourage suppliers to strive for excellence and continuous improvement. To qualify for PQS status, suppliers must score 80 percent on a report card that assesses performance and ability to meet cost, quality, availability, delivery, technology and responsiveness goals. Suppliers must also manage and deliver on a challenging improvement plan and a quality systems assessment.
Managed by Xstrata Copper’s Canada Division, Xstrata Recycling recycles materials containing copper and precious metals, including electronics.
Redemtech Provides Electronics Recycling Services to Cox Enterprises
Atlanta-based Cox Enterprises, a communications, media and automotive services company, has announced an electronics recycling partnership with Columbus, Ohio-based Redemtech. Cox says it hopes the program will enhance its disposal of electronic devices, while securing customer and company data.
Redemtech will serve as an exclusive partner, managing a comprehensive asset recovery program across Cox Enterprises and its subsidiaries. Redemtech will provide recovery and disposition of all company electronics, including computers, monitors, cable set-top boxes, cell phones, kiosks, handheld devices and business equipment.
"Identity theft is the No. 1 white-collar crime in America, and all too often identity thieves obtain personal information from lost, stolen or discarded computers, cell phones and handheld digital assistants," says Bob Brand, vice president of security, Cox Enterprises. "By partnering with Redemtech, all information is removed from the electronic equipment prior to being recycled or disposed. Redemtech provides us with a detailed audit trail for every item they handle." He adds, "This ensures the highest level of identity protection for Cox employees and customers, making Cox a safer place to work and conduct business."
Once fully implemented across all Cox business units, the electronics recycling program is projected to divert more than 1.8 million pounds of electronic scrap from landfills each year.
Explore the May 2009 Issue
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