Basel Amendment Updates

 As we have warned recyclers last year and in our last edition of the Circular, the Basel Convention's new controls on e-waste exports have come into force. We have prepared a detailed FAQ about this situation and what it means for recyclers. And this has been updated in January after we learned more about what various OECD countries might decide. We urge you to read the full document carefully and send us any questions you may still have.  In the meantime, here is the update in brief:

• As of January 1 of this year, equipment, components or residues derived from used electronic equipment, components or residues will be controlled as a Basel waste regardless of whether they are hazardous or not.

• With few exceptions (primarily involving trade between certain OECD countries) export will require, at a minimum, that the governments of exporting, importing and transit countries become involved in approving any international shipments with the notification and consent process known as PIC.  

• Because the US is a non-Party to the Basel Convention nobody in the US can export to a Basel Party (almost every other country) except through a valid Article 11 Agreement. One such agreement is the OECD Council Decision (OECD/LEGAL/0266).

• Similarly, no Basel Party country other than a few OECD countries that have chosen to depart from Basel, can export controlled e-waste to the US. 

• Exports of e-waste, hazardous or not, from the 27 EU countries to non-OECD countries are prohibited.

• Based on a living document posted at the OECD on January 15, the only possible avenues for exports of non-hazardous e-wastes (Y-49 listing) from the US will be to Canada, Israel and New Zealand and some material (e.g. circuit boards) can be exported freely to Japan. All other exports to and from OECD countries will require a form of the PIC notification procedure.

o The OECD country application may change over time.  Stay tuned, especially for more changes expected from Canada.

ANNOUNCEMENT: Open Leadership Council Seats 

Last call for nominations! The e-Stewards Leadership Council, which serves as the advisory body to the e-Stewards program, will have a limited number of open seats at year-end in the following categories:

• e-Stewards Certified Processor – 2 seats available
• e-Stewards Enterprise Organizations – 2 seats available
• International seats for the following regions (e-Stewards Certified Processor, Enterprise, or Association representatives welcome):

o  Asia

o  Africa

o  Europe

Leadership Council members are committed to the e-Stewards mission and abide by the LC Terms of Reference. If you or someone you know may have interest in serving on the e-Stewards Leadership Council, please submit your nomination including your resume or CV along with a letter describing why you would be an effective Leadership Council member to e-Stewards Certification Director, Selena Turnock, at selena@e-stewards.org.

Lead Auditor Training

e-Stewards, in partnership with Green Eye Partners, completed the first New Lead Auditor training of 2025 in January, where all participants successfully received their certificate of completion, adding several new Certifying Body auditors and e-Stewards-qualified consultants. We are again seeking participants for an e-Stewards Lead Auditor Training, to be held April 14^th and 15^th, 2025. This training is available to individuals, consultants, or Certifying Body auditors and is suitable for any that are looking to learn about specific aspects of the e-Stewards Standard and how to address e-Stewards requirements as an auditor.



Those interested must hold a valid ISO 14001 or RIOS Lead Auditor certification to qualify. Please contact Selena Turnock, Certification Director, selena@e-stewards.org, if you have interest. 

We’ve Moved!

e-Stewards has recently moved offices in the Seattle area from 800 Yesler Way, Suite 300 to 600 1^st Ave, # 114, Seattle, WA 98104. Please update any contact information for our team to reflect this recent change. 

Sponsored Spotlight:

Greenchip: A Conversation About Leadership, Sustainability, and the Future of Electronics Recycling

In this conversation, we sit down with key members of the Greenchip team—Bill Monteleone, Chris Kaasmann, Lee Srokosz, and Lila Gloyd—to discuss their journey, values, and the future of the industry.

e-Stewards: Greenchip has been in this space for over a decade. What led to its creation, and how has it evolved into a leader in sustainable ITAD and electronics recycling?

Greenchip was founded in New York City in 2012 by Bill Monteleone as a privately held company. Its understanding of natural resources and manufacturing has shaped strategies to supply feedstock, recover reusable materials, and extract value from electronics through urban mining. The company has steadily grown, both fiscally and operationally, by implementing best practices and scaling strategically.

e-Stewards: What makes Greenchip’s approach stand out in such a competitive industry?

Lila Gloyd: To be fair, we’re learning and growing every day, but one thing that stands out is authenticity—how we treat each other as a team. When a company’s culture reflects its mission, that authenticity builds trust, strengthens reputation, and drives long-term success.

e-Stewards: Greenchip is proudly headquartered in New York. Has being rooted there shaped the way you approach business?

Bill Monteleone: 100%. From the start here in New York, we’ve learned to adapt quickly, think outside the box, and turn challenges into opportunities. That mindset—putting customers first and building the right team—has driven our growth and shaped who we are today.

e-Stewards: One thing that stands out about Greenchip is how much of the process you keep in-house, from refurbishing to logistics. Why was that important to you?

Chris Kaasmann: Keeping everything in-house prevents “oops” moments. For consistency, accountability, and efficiency, you keep it in the family. That means we know what is happening at every step, and there is no mystery—clients love that. It’s like making a great pizza; you don’t outsource the dough, the sauce, and the cheese. You do it all yourself, so you know it’s perfect.

e-Stewards: At e-Stewards, we often emphasize the importance of leadership buy-in when companies pursue certification. How has your leadership team driven the adoption of these principles at Greenchip?

Chris Kaasmann: The e-Stewards standards align perfectly with how we naturally operate. Leadership sets the tone, and our mission carries through the whole business. It’s second nature—these standards are baked into our culture, day in and day out. We’re all moving in the same direction, parallel to e-Stewards, because it’s authentic and true to what we stand for.

e-Stewards: As an e-Stewards-certified company, what does that certification mean to Greenchip—not just as a badge of honor, but in terms of how it shapes your operations?

Lee Srokosz: e-Stewards certification? Oh, it’s not just a badge we slap on the website—it’s embedded in everything we do. It shapes our strategies, our principles, and honestly, as one of the not-so-many e-Stewards-certified companies out there, let’s face it—it has some influence. It’s like the VIP pass of ethical recycling, and we take it seriously every single day.

e-Stewards: Over the years, Greenchip has seen fantastic growth and endured through some challenging times. Looking back, what milestones or achievements are you most proud of?

Bill Monteleone: We’ve grown responsibly, and that’s something I’m really proud of. From our state-of-the-art shredding facility in Virginia to key certifications, these milestones matter. But what truly stands out is our team—the shared dedication, trust, and commitment to what we’re building. That’s what keeps us moving forward every day.

e-Stewards: Are there particular moments that felt like they defined what Greenchip is all about?

Bill Monteleone: Honestly, it’s the everyday wins—positive feedback from customers, seeing the team’s dedication, and staying true to our values—that truly defines Greenchip.

e-Stewards: The recycling industry is always evolving, with new challenges emerging every day. What do you see as the biggest hurdles for the future of electronics recycling, and how is Greenchip preparing to tackle them?

Lila Gloyd: The recycling industry faces many challenges—equipment supply changes, operating costs, embedded battery risks, growing competition, and fluctuating commodity values. However, the biggest hurdle is emerging regulations. Regulations apply to all, and certifications have no loopholes. Stakeholders must invest time and energy in understanding and compliance.

Our answer is simple: experience, leadership, communication, and transparency. We’ve built a culture that engages stakeholders, educates our team, and commits to open, honest communication. We will continue to lead by example.

e-Stewards: For companies considering entering this space—or pursuing certification with e-Stewards—what advice would you give them? What role does leadership and culture play in building something truly meaningful?

Lila Gloyd: For newcomers, I would suggest modeling good, ethical business practices as a solid foundation and tapping into the resources and guidance provided by e-Stewards.

Strong leadership informs the culture. Culture drives the teams’ decisions and the outcomes that ultimately determine the trust you build with your clients. There’s a saying, and it applies to company culture: ‘once you’ve had it bad, you know when it’s good.’ To avoid the bad? Commit to your team and empower them. Take care of them first, and they will take care of the business. That, and just be kind—it makes everything else easier.

e-Stewards: Finally, what’s next for Greenchip? Any projects, innovations, or goals you’re particularly excited about?

Lila Gloyd: Greenchip is dedicated to expanding our eco-park development and exploring new technologies to enhance operational efficiencies. We will continue to carry the torch as a stable, consistent domestic partner while maintaining a laser focus on staff health, safety, and our reputation as true operators in the industry.

We’re reinvigorated by the opportunities ahead and the incredible partners we serve. At the same time, we remain committed to seeking knowledge, sharing knowledge, and growing together as a team.

As for us personally—Chris is honing his disc golf game, I’m trying to check off as many birds as I can from my Audubon list, and Bill and Lee will continue to be the rock that keeps us grounded. The future is bright, and we’re excited to keep building on what we’ve started, together.

This interview is part of a sponsored collaboration with Greenchip E-Waste and ITAD Solutions.

e-Stewards Standard Tip

Non-PHPT Shredding

The Sanctioned Interpretations published in May of 2024 added a new section to the e-Stewards Standard – Section 8.4.2.1 Non-PHPT Shredding. An updated definition for Potentially Hazardous Processing Technologies now allows equipment manufactured and used solely for the shredding of hard drives, solid state drives, or media to be excluded from PHPT requirements. Thus, this new section covers additional requirements for non-PHPT shredding.

Though no longer considered a PHPT, certain precautions must be taken to prevent potential emissions including those from dust contaminated with heavy metals or other harm. As such, these operations must:

• Prevent batteries from being shredded
• Ensure adequate ventilation
• Ensure proper PPE usage, if appropriate
• Prevent injury of operator(s), and
• Ensure shredded material, including dust, is contained and only transported to approved IDPs with proper capabilities

For questions regarding these updated requirements, please reach out to Selena Turnock, Certification Director, at selena@e-stewards.org.

About e-Stewards:

The e-Stewards® Initiative is a market-based solution to help individuals and organizations identify and promote electronics recyclers who ensure that used electronics are managed with the highest environmental and social responsibility standards. e-Stewards Certified Recyclers and Refurbishers are audited and certified to ensure the highest levels of responsibility. e-Stewards Enterprises are major corporations, municipalities, nonprofits, or institutions that agree to make their best efforts to use e-Stewards Certified Recyclers. e-Stewards is a program established by the environmental advocacy organization Basel Action Network. See e-Stewards Video.

Do you have news, photos, or videos about your company? We welcome submissions and invite you to share ideas with info@e-stewards.org. Thank you for reading!