e-Stewards Certified CompuCycle Expands Plastics Recycling Capabilities 

CompuCycle, an e-Stewards Certified and woman-owned processor, recently announced the expansion of its Plastics Recycling System, effectively processing e-waste plastics down to single polymers in-house. This domestic process provides an opportunity for compliance for US-based recyclers in the wake of the 2021 Basel Convention plastics amendments. In a press release published in June, Kelly Adels Hess, Chief Executive Officer of CompuCycle, stated, “We saw an opportunity to solve an industry challenge by creating the first domestic, sustainable, single-solution e-waste plastics program that reduces the amount of plastic negatively impacting the environment, while also making it advantageous for companies to recycle and reuse. It’s truly a win for everyone involved.” 

To read the full press release, please visit here. 

V4.1 Sanctioned Interpretations Now Binding on all e-Stewards Organizations

As announced in the previous version of The Circular, the recently adopted Sanctioned Interpretations to v4.1 of the e-Stewards Standard are now officially binding on all e-Stewards Organizations, Certification Bodies, and Accreditation Bodies. This change went into effect on June 23rd. 

These Sanctioned Interpretations provide clarification for certain e-Stewards Standard requirements by updating them to reflect industry needs. e-Stewards Organizations and auditors shall be competent in these Sanctioned Interpretations for proper implementation and auditing purposes. 

To see the published v4.1 SI’s, please visit the e-Stewards website here. 

For any questions regarding the SI’s, please contact Selena Turnock, Certification Director, at selena@e-stewards.org. 

e-Stewards and SERI Webinar Recap

The Basel Action Network, administrators of the e-Stewards Standard, for the first time in history, collaborated with SERI, the administrators of the R2 Standard, to present a webinar for the industry discussing the Basel Convention amendments that went into force in January of 2021 for plastics, and those that will enter into force in January of 2025 for e-wastes. The webinar was very well-attended and informative on the Basel Convention basics, the amendments, and what they mean for both e-Steward and R2 certified organizations, respectively. 

Jim Puckett of BAN, Mike Easterbrook of SERI, and Selena Turnock of e-Stewards presented together and held an expansive Q & A session to address any looming concerns on how certified processors should handle plastics coming from the e-waste stream, as well as what the imminent e-waste amendments mean for certified processors, specifically located in the US as the United States is a non-Basel-party. 

The webinar was recorded and can be viewed on e-Stewards’ website, here. Presentation slides are available to download here. 

Any questions regarding the amendments or how it may impact e-Stewards should be directed to either Jim Puckett, Executive Director, at jpuckett@ban.org, or Selena Turnock, Certification Director, at selena@e-stewards.org. 

Leadership Council Spotlight

e-Stewards wishes to highlight our illustrious Leadership Council members. McKenna Morrigan is the waste prevention and product stewardship policy advisor for the City of Seattle. In this role, she advocates for responsible recycling policies and practices, tracks and provides input on existing product stewardship and recycling programs, and engages with community and regional partners to advance best practices in waste prevention and materials management. Previously, McKenna was a senior associate at Cascadia Consulting Group, where she led research and evaluation projects for local and state governments related to recycling programs, policies, and markets. McKenna holds a master’s degree in environmental policy from the University of Washington Evans School and a B.A. from Brown University.

50% Discount for new e-Stewards

e-Stewards is continuing to offer a 50% discount for all new companies on their first-year license and marketing fees. This offer is available to processors that have never been e-Stewards Certified. 

If you are interested in e-Stewards certification, please reach out to us at info@e-stewards.org or schedule an introductory call through our website. We look forward to hearing from you! 

Malaysia reacts to BAN's warnings -- seizes 106 containers, raids on facilities continue 

Dumpsite full of residues from electronic waste processors in Klang, Malaysia. Plastic waste traders use the same brokers and modus operandi as the e-waste smugglers in Malaysia and unrecyclable plastic is a major portion part of e-waste residues. Source: Basel Action Network, 2023

So far, the Basel Action Network (BAN) has alerted Malaysian customs and environmental authorities of over 500 containers suspected of containing contraband electronic wastes primarily arriving in Port Klang, Malaysia via the port of Los Angeles.

The Malaysian government announced that they detained 301 of the 453 intermodal containers BAN had identified in their alerts. Of these, 106 were found to contain illegal electronic waste (e-waste). In a press conference in Klang, Malaysia, Environment Minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad expressed appreciation for BAN’s collaboration and noted that another 200 containers remain to be opened and inspected. For the full BAN press release click here.

Following the seizures and the new raids, BAN and the Malaysian Environment Minister YB Nik Nazmi bin Nik Ahmad, held a meeting including several different government agencies and local NGOs. During the meeting BAN expressed their interest in enhancing communication and cooperation with the government as well as holding workshops on improving implementation of the Basel Convention. The Minister agreed. In the meantime, BAN continues to send alerts.

"The suspect containers are leaving the US at the rate of about 100 per week," said Jim Puckett, Executive Director of BAN. "Once hazardous e-waste leaves the port of LA they are considered to be illegal traffic under the Basel Convention. It is the duty of Malaysia to arrest them and return them to the US" he said.  

Earlier, in March, the government made three raids, uncovering clandestine e-waste operations with workers, including underage and illegal immigrants, found in dire conditions. BAN emphasizes Malaysia's increasing attractiveness as a destination for e-waste due to stricter regulations elsewhere, echoing the "whack-a-mole" pattern seen after crackdowns in China and Hong Kong following earlier BAN industry investigations using GPS tracking devices. BAN calls for electronics manufacturers to design products with longevity and sustainability in mind, advocating for comprehensive responsibility for product lifecycles. They remind also that US actors cannot legally trade hazardous e-waste with any Asian countries nor employ brokers to do so. Such exports are an affront to environmental justice, ESG goals, international law and place participating parties including themselves at high risk. 

Samsung's Pioneering path to Sustainability

Samsung Electronics, an e-Stewards Enterprise Partner, achieved a record-breaking collection of 1.3 billion pounds of end-of-life electronics in 2023, marking its largest haul to date, as reported in its 2023 sustainability report. This brings the total collected since 2009 to 13.9 billion pounds. Operating e-scrap recovery initiatives in over 70 countries, Samsung aims to expand this effort to 180 countries by the decade's end. In the U.S. alone, 119 million pounds of e-waste were collected last year. 

In 2023, Samsung reported that 25% of the plastic parts in its products were made from recycled resin. The company targets to increase this to 50% by 2030 and achieve 100% by 2050. The Device eXperience (DX) Division aims for net zero Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 2030, with a 93.4% transition to renewable energy already achieved by the end of 2023. Meanwhile, the Device Solutions (DS) Division targets net zero emissions by 2050, employing new facilities and systems to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Additionally, Samsung introduced a Global Grievance Resolution Policy in 2024 and launched Stellar Forest, a workplace initiative supporting individuals with disabilities. These achievements and record setting work are a model example of corporate leadership and we are proud to have Samsung as an e-Stewards Enterprise Partner.

e-Stewards Standard Tip

Onsite Audits: In accordance with e-Stewards Standard requirements, onsite audits of Immediate Downstream Providers must be performed for all IDPs of all Materials of Concern (HEWs and PCMs) unless there is objective evidence that an IDP falls into one (or more) of the below categories: 

• Holds a valid e-Stewards Certification 
• Is a Final Disposal facility 
• Is a licensed and permitted End Processor, located in an OECD country 

The validity of an e-Stewards Certification can be verified by visiting the e-Stewards website and checking the list of certified processors; or by contacting e-Stewards directly at info@e-stewards.org.

These onsite audits are required to be performed prior to initial shipment, at least every 3 years thereafter, and whenever a significant change to the IDP occurs. Onsite audits shall always include verification of insurance coverage, facility closure plans and associated financial surety for the audited IDP. 

Processing capability evaluations may be done by desk audit or limited-quantity samples as a precursor to an initial onsite audit. Any samples sent shall not be presented as on-going use of the prospective IDP, and are restricted to no more than a single 53-foot trailer unless written approval is received in advance from the e-Stewards Administrator. If potential IDPs do not meet the processing capability requirements under the e-Stewards Standard, then an e-Steward Organization may forego an onsite audit since the IDP would not be approved. 

For any further questions on the e-Stewards Standard, please contact Selena Turnock, Certification Director, at selena@e-stewards.org.

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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!