The European Electronics Recycling Association (EERA) highlighted environmental social governance at the recent E-waste Expo in Frankfurt.

Its ceo Julie-Ann Adams spoke out against “greenwashing”, noting that some producers have received ‘major fines’ for making false claims about recycled content.

Adams says a misguided approach to circular electronics is a particularly big issue in the US. She recalls discussing recycled content with representatives from Google and Samsung a few months earlier.

‘They proudly told me: “85% of our plastic is recycled content”. But where does it come from? You guessed it – bottles. Great, but I pointed out that has nothing to do with the actual e-waste stream.’

She adds: ‘They said tackling that was impossible. I know that’s not true. We have plenty of members who use e-plastics to create cases for coffee machines and fridges.’

Company representatives assured Adams the outcome is ‘positive’ because they recycle e-plastics into traffic cones. ‘Does the world really need more traffic cones?,’ she laments with a laugh. ‘Anyway, they’re typically made from PVC. In my business, you get strange corporate answers sometimes.’

Complex landscape

The EERA ceo expects the EU’s corporate sustainability reporting directive to end such bad practice. Proper due diligence is required for companies with 500 or more employees. But she acknowledges they are ‘dealing with mountains of paperwork’ and wonders what is the best way to navigate such a complex landscape.

‘Recyclers and investors won’t put much money in if they don’t have a market for the recycled material,’ Adams argues. ‘Why would you invest EUR 5 million if no one is going to buy the neodymium afterwards? They need some kind of reassurance. The circular economy will flatline if this doesn’t happen.’

Finally, Adams proposes a commercial confidentially clause to encourage producers to share information with recyclers.

Courtesy : recyclinginternational.com