Maryland-based E-Structors, a company specializing in the secure destruction and recycling of computers, electronics and documents, has achieved Responsible Recycling (R2) and ISO 14001:2004 certifications. Earning these certifications places E-Structors among the first electronics recyclers in the country � and the first in the Mid-Atlantic region � to be recognized for maintaining the highest environmental standards for processing and recycling electronic waste.
Introduced in 2009 and endorsed by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Responsible Recycling (R2) Practices for Electronics Recyclers establish how electronic waste should best be safely handled, responsibly re-used and legally exported. As an R2-certified recycler, E-Structors can guarantee that it maintains a state-of-the-art environmental management system (EMS) that soundly controls and regulates the entire "downstream" of the 18-20 million pounds of material it processes annually.
"Achieving our R2 and ISO 14001:2004 certification is a major accomplishment that solidifies E-Structors as a world-class company in our industry," says Mike Keough, president, E-Structors. "Our clients now have assurance that E-Structors is committed to maintaining the integrity of our recycling practices and the safety of our workers as we provide the highest level of environmental compliance and data security."
ISO 14001:2004 is a globally-accepted set of requirements for environmental management systems established by the International Organizations for Standardization (ISO). To achieve certification, E-Structors worked with the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) and University of Maryland Manufacturing Assistance Program to implement an EMS that effectively controls its environmental impact and continually improves its environmental performance by achieving certain objectives, such as reducing the company's energy consumption and waste production.
"Businesses today have come to realize that they need to go beyond basic regulatory compliance to take advantage of the cost saving opportunities, liability prevention and customer benefits that come with a more proactive approach to environmental management," says Laura Armstrong, pollution prevention and sustainability coordinator, MDE. "Environmental management systems offer a way to instill this approach by building capability among staff and establishing procedures that ensure continuous improvement in managing and reducing environmental impacts."
Once its new EMS was put into effect, E-Structors underwent a rigorous audit by an accredited third party to earn its ISO 14001:2004 registration. Curt Bluefeld was the program manager who worked closely with E-Structors throughout the development of its EMS.
"E-Structors' implementation and subsequent ISO 14001:2004 registration of its environmental management system reflects the highly-professional attitude and thoroughness evident throughout the company's operation," he said. "The staff was a pure joy to work with I suspect the E-Structors EMS will become the standard all other electronics recyclers will want to meet."
Source: E-Structors
Writer: Walaika Haskins