The e-Stewards Newsletter
| |
|
The Circular is a bi-monthly newsletter produced by e-Stewards, containing program news, resources, and perspectives -- all relevant information on the world of electronics recycling. The Circular aims to connect the e-Stewards community of recyclers, refurbishers, enterprises, and individuals. It is a publication open to all who share the goal of ensuring an ethical circular economy for electronics.
To join or sign up new members to the Circular, click here.
| |
|
Leadership Council Convenes in Seattle
On November 12 & 13, the e-Stewards Leadership Council gathered in Seattle for its 29th meeting. This two-day event brought together stakeholders from across the industry to discuss critical issues and shape the future of e-Stewards.
Discussions were dynamic and covered a range of timely topics, including the upcoming Basel amendments, exciting developments in ESG initiatives, and strategic priorities for 2025. Members shared valuable insights and expertise to help our community navigate challenges and capitalize on opportunities in the year ahead.
After an intensive first day of collaboration, members came together for a wonderful dinner in Seattle's historic Pioneer Square, enjoying great food and vibrant conversations. The evening was a celebration of the strong community and shared values that drive e-Stewards’ mission.
A heartfelt thank you to everyone who participated, both in person and virtually, for your invaluable contributions. Your energy and ideas inspire us as we head into 2025 with renewed purpose and momentum!
| |
|
ANNOUNCEMENT: Open Leadership Council Seats
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
Are you interested in becoming an e-Stewards Lead Auditor? The e-Stewards Team is seeking participants for an e-Stewards Lead Auditor Training, in partnership with Green Eye Partners. 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 Lead Auditor certification to qualify. Please contact Selena Turnock, Certification Director, selena@e-stewards.org, if you have interest. A date will be scheduled based on participation.
| |
|
We’ve Moved!
e-Stewards has recently moved offices in the Seattle area from 800 Yesler Way, Suite 300 to 600 1st Ave, # 114, Seattle, WA 98104. Please update any contact information for our team to reflect this recent change.
| |
|
New Basel Amendments will go into effect on January 1, 2025
The upcoming Basel amendments represent a significant shift in how e-waste is regulated globally. Starting January 1, 2025, the Basel Convention will expand its controls to include non-hazardous e-waste for the first time. To help you navigate these changes, we’ve assembled several key resources:
What will happen on January 1, 2025?
At that time the Basel Convention which already controls the trade in hazardous e-waste, will, for the first time, require strict controls on the trade in non-hazardous e-waste as well. The new listing of non-hazardous e-waste is known as Y49 in Annex II. The Amendments adopted in June of 2022 will also make the current hazardous e-waste definitions (A1180) more comprehensive and inclusive in a new listing -- A1181 in Annex VIII. The entry into force of these new listings found currently in the Basel Convention will impact not only all of the 191 countries that are currently Basel Parties (ratified and legally bound by it) but, as we shall see, may also dramatically impact those in non-Party countries such as the United States that are likely to wish to engage in significant trade with Basel Parties.
What are these trade controls newly required of Basel Parties for this expanded list of e-waste?
The default control procedure of the Basel Convention, known as PIC (prior-informed consent), requires all exporters before (prior) engaging in export, to notify their governments that they are planning a waste export. Their government receives the relevant information (informed) on the nature of the waste, where it is going and by what route, and in turn notifies the importing governments and transit governments of the intent to export. If all the governments, exporting states, transit states, and importing states are in written agreement (consent) that the waste will be managed in an environmentally sound way, and there are no other concerns about the shipment, then, and only then can the export proceed. This is the normal default control procedure that applies to the 191 Basel Parties. This PIC procedure has always been the default rule of the road for hazardous electronic waste. What is new is that on January 1, 2025, this PIC procedure will also be the default control procedure applied to non-hazardous waste.
What are the impacts on those in the United States -- a country that is not a Party to the Basel Convention?
While the Basel Convention rules do not apply directly to entities within non-Party countries like the United States, the impact on non-parties can be even more dramatic because, most countries are Basel Parties and the Convention does not allow, under normal circumstances, for Parties to trade with non-Parties like the United States (Article 4, paragraph 5). The exception to this rule would be to utilize what is known as a valid Article 11 side agreement formed on a bilateral or multilateral basis between one or more Parties, which can include one or more non-Parties such as the United States. To be valid, the side agreement must provide an equivalent level of control that is as environmentally sound as the Basel Convention itself (see Article 11). Currently, the United States is part of a few Article 11 agreements for trading in hazardous waste (e.g. The Decision of the Council on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Wastes Destined for Recovery Operations, OECD/LEGAL/0266, or the US-Canadian bilateral agreement, or the US-Mexican bilateral agreement but they are only Party to one valid Article 11 Agreement (with Canada) for non-hazardous waste that might* include the new category of non-hazardous e-Waste known as Y49. This means that actors in the US will be violating the laws of the importing Basel Party countries should they wish to export Y49 non-hazardous e-waste to them after January 1, 2025.
For more information, please review the resources included above.
| |
Must-Watch Netflix Documentary: Buy Now! The Shopping Conspiracy | |
Buy Now! The Shopping Conspiracy –Trailer on Netflix (released November 20, 2024) featuring BAN's Executive Director Jim Puckett and many more plastics and over-consumption advocates. | |
|
Ranked among Netflix’s top films this month, Buy Now! The Shopping Conspiracy is a powerful and eye-opening documentary that explores the devastating consequences of overconsumption. Featuring industry leaders like Kyle Wiens of iFixit and Jim Puckett of Basel Action Network (BAN), the film dives into critical issues such as e-waste exports, the Right to Repair movement, planned obsolescence, and the pervasive "design for the dump" mindset.
With its spotlight on consumer electronics and the alarming scale of e-waste generated by a buy-it-use-it-dump-it culture, the documentary sheds light on the urgent need for systemic change. It’s a timely reminder of the environmental toll of unchecked consumerism, especially during the holiday season. This must-see film is as compelling as it is educational—share it widely with friends and colleagues to inspire more mindful giving this year. Watch the documentary here.
| |
Insightful Wired Article on Global E-Waste and Recycling Chains | |
Alaba International, another major electronics market in Lagos. Photograph: Oyewole Lawal | |
|
This month, Wired Magazine published a thought-provoking article that offers a comprehensive look at the global landscape of electronic and battery supply chains, recycling practices, and the disparities between developed and developing countries. While the title might not immediately reflect the depth of its content, the article provides a detailed update on the equity challenges and opportunities in addressing the growing e-waste crisis.
For those passionate about advancing sustainable solutions, this piece is an essential read. It complements the themes explored in Buy Now! The Shopping Conspiracy, offering deeper context to the environmental and social justice aspects of the e-waste challenge.
| |
|
e-Stewards Standard Tip
Sanctioned Interpretations
As a reminder to all e-Stewards Certified Processors and Auditors: a set of e-Stewards Sanctioned Interpretations were published in May of this year, and can be located at any time on the e-Stewards’ website here. Sanctioned Interpretations are formal clarifications or amendments to specific clauses and replace or update current language and/or requirements in the e-Stewards Standard. When published, Sanctioned Interpretations should be implemented effectively within an organization’s management system and operations, as they are binding upon Accreditation Bodies, Certifying Bodies, and e-Stewards Organizations at all stages, effective 30 days from publication date.
These Sanctioned Interpretations are auditable, and should be reviewed as necessary during internal, compliance, or Certifying Body audits. Please take time to review these SI’s at length, and ensure that your organization’s policies and procedures effectively address any of these changes.
If you have any questions on the published Sanctioned Interpretations or the e-Stewards Standard in general, please contact e-Stewards Certification Director, Selena Turnock, 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!
|
| | | |
