e-Stewards processors demonstrate year-round

good behavior

Seattle, WA. December 13, 2023. e-Stewards^® has announced the most recent results of its Performance Verification (PV) Program, a unique feature of e-Stewards certification, which helps ensure its recyclers adhere to global environmental justice principles even when no one is looking. Through this program between 2021 and 2022, 18 different e-Stewards certified recyclers at 22 locations have been “caught doing the right thing” through unannounced inspections and randomly delivered GPS trackers. These two due-diligence methods are integral to the e-Stewards commitment to going beyond the usual audits conducted by independent certification bodies.

“Our e-Stewards processors insisted on the Performance Verification Program to create an additional layer of assurance for their businesses,” said Selena Turnock, e-Stewards Certification Director. “This program distinguishes them from other electronics recyclers, showing that they embody the highest standards of environmental health and safety in all of their processes, every day of the year.”

To be e-Stewards certified, all recyclers agree to two forms of performance verification. First, random, unannounced inspections ensure compliance above and beyond the routine annual audits accomplished by accredited third-party certification bodies. Performance Verification inspections are carried out by qualified consultant auditors employed directly by e-Stewards. Inspectors can arrive at any working hour and can request paperwork, interview employees, and examine loading docks and floor operations. This measure helps confirm that e-Stewards conform to the highest standards even when an audit isn’t on their calendars.

Ten companies successfully fulfilled expectations in their unannounced inspections in 2022:

Second, the e-Stewards certification program also deploys electronic scrap equipment embedded with hidden EarthEye GPS trackers at e-Stewards certified locations, in order to monitor downstream pathways of e-waste to make sure companies fulfill their international trade obligations for the management of electronic waste. The results of these deployments are announced two years after they occur, as equipment can sometimes remain at a facility for a long period of time before moving.

Twelve locations demonstrated good behavior in downstream waste management via EarthEye GPS trackers in 2021:

The inspections and GPS tracking methods, which first became part of the program in 2017, are completely unannounced and random, ensuring a high level of accountability and vigilance of the e-Stewards processors. If any irregularities are found during this process, they are investigated by e-Stewards, and further steps may be taken. So far, according to Turnock, the program has been highly successful, and most e-Stewards processors appreciate the surprise experience, delighted to know their operations were in conformity with their Certification.

“We commend our e-Stewards processors for their responsiveness, patience, cooperation, and especially their integrity — as proven by our extra-curricular tests and inspections,” said Turnock. “Performance Verification is a distinguishing feature of what it means to be a Certified e-Stewards Processor.”

For more information:

Selena Turnock, Certification Director, e-Stewards

e-mail: selena@e-Stewards.org

phone: (206) 436-8595

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.