If you would like to view a quick and easy to understand tutorial on what it means to utilize the services of a NAID certified vendor please view the following YouTube link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DXhPeQ905_k

RECYCLING TODAY

http://www.recyclingtoday.com/Article.aspx?article_id=136261

MOTHER EARTH NEWS

http://www.motherearthnews.com/biz-bulletins/dynamic-recycling.aspx

WISCONSIN PUBLIC RADIO NEWS

http://news.wpr.org/post/recycling-companies-see-growth

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION

http://eponline.com/articles/2013/01/04/proper-e-waste-disposal-and-environmental-sustainability.aspx

STORAGE AND DESTRUCTION BUSINESS MAGAZINE

http://www.sdbmagazine.com/dynamic-inc-growing.aspx

Please click link to view article: http://www.wxow.com/story/20200534/2012/11/27/local-business-turns-old-electronics-into-profits

There are a number of ways that an organization can ensure full data security during the life cycle of a computer.

In the office:

• Contract with a trusted vendor who provides compliant data security solutions.
• Ensure all employees of the organization are trustworthy. (Background Checks, Employment Verification, System Permissions.).
• Monitoring system in place to supervise employee activity.
• Make sure your facility is fully secure, through implementation of such things as keycard entry to data sensitive areas, surveillance cameras, and visitor logs.

Out of the office:

• Do not let employees leave the facility with computers that hold secure data – Inevitable
• Any company network that is accessible from offsite should be protected (VPN)
• Secure data should only be allowed to be accessed on-site.

After the computer is retired:

• Contract with a trusted vendor who provides services for proper data destruction.
  • Verify that they maintain appropriate certifications
• Verify their facility security and employee background check policies.
• Verify their transportation process (3^rd Party, Contracted, Self-Maintained)
• Most importantly verify their standards/processes for data destruction and options in providing physical destruction or sanitization of data sensitive devices.

In today’s world you would think that most organizations would have the above processes in place.  The fact is that many maintain standards which satisfy one or two of these areas, but when their units are ready to be recycled or retired; they have them processed without doing much research on the vendor’s processes, standards, facility, and certifications.  What happens to all of the secure data remaining on these devices when they are sent to a vendor for further disposal?  There are plenty of recyclers that possess proper procedures to ensure total data destruction, but there are also and an equal amount who do not.  Given this percentage, I would do the appropriate research and auditing to avoid the risk of a data breach.

At this point you are probably wondering how to qualify a trusted electronic recycling vendor?  How can your organization be sure they are working with an ethical recycler that truly cares about your data security and has implemented the appropriate processes to ensure you that all of your data is destroyed?  A few things to verify with your vendor prior to utilizing their services:

• NAID Certification: (National Association for Information Destruction) NAID^® is the international trade association for companies providing information destruction services.  Hundreds of state and federal government agencies recognize it, including a growing number outside the U.S., and tens of thousands of private organizations now require it of their service providers.

• R2 Certification: The R2 Standard sets forth requirements relating to environmental, health, safety, and security aspects of electronics recycling.  According to a recent survey conducted by Converge, IT managers at mid- to large-size companies cite data breach from discarded computers as the number one concern when disposing of IT equipment.  The R2 Standard addresses all of these areas of concern, so you can be sure that your IT equipment is managed according to the highest industry standards while meeting your organizational goals and needs. Every certified R2 recycler has been rigorously audited by an independent third party auditor that evaluates each recycler in more than 50 areas of operational and environmental performance.

• ISO Certifications: ISO International Standards ensure that products and services are safe, reliable and of good quality. For business, they are strategic tools that reduce costs by minimizing waste and errors and increasing productivity.  Our standards are developed by the people that need them, through a consensus process. Experts from all over the world develop the standards that are required by their sector. This means they reflect a wealth of international experience and knowledge.

These certifications will allow you to be rest assured, that your data is being processed and destroyed properly and with the highest degree of ethical standards.  If your data is considered to be highly confidential and it is not to be permitted to leave your facilities, than you may want to ask your recycler if they perform on-site data shredding.  This operation will shred your hard drives and any other data sensitive device into millimeter size pieces.  At that point it would be absolutely impossible for any data to be compromised.  The only downside to that operation is that your computer will not have as much value if it were to qualify for further reuse through IT Asset Management.  If your organization’s data can leave the premises via a trusted recycler, they can then perform data wiping that will ensure proper destruction of data at their facility.

IT asset management (ITAM) is the set of business practices that join financial, contractual and inventory functions to support life cycle management and strategic decision making for the IT environment. Assets include all elements of software and hardware that are found in the business environment.  This allows an organization to maximize the revenue potential of outdated working computers.  Giving corporations a return on their IT investments.

In conclusion, choosing a trusted recycler can be critical to your data security.  There are many recyclers that will tell you they are ethical and that you can trust your data with them, but what are they doing to prove they can be trusted. Furthermore, have you done your due diligence in auditing your vendors to ensure you can trust your vendor?

Please visit the Inc. 500/5000 website for more information on our growth over the past 3 years.

http://www.inc.com/inc5000/profile/dynamic-recycling

Environmental Responsibility:

A. Electronics Recycling Certifications:

There are two highly recognized industry certifications that set the playing field for proper electronics disposal practices and environmental standards for appropriate electronics recycling, asset recovery and e-scrap commodity processing. These certifications are considered throughout the industry as the most important aspect in an electronics recycler’s standard for environmental responsibility.

Although there are several opinions as to which certification is superior and contains the best standards, but I will leave that up to you to decide, as both certifications promote environmentally sustainable methods for electronics recycling. I have provided you the links to both certifications website’s below:

Responsible Recycling (R2) Certification:

http://www.r2solutions.org

E-Stewards Certification:

http://e-stewards.org/

B. International Organization for Standardization (ISO):

The International Organization for Standardization otherwise known as ISO, provides management standards; ISO-14001 & ISO-9001, to the electronics recycling industry within the areas of Environmental (14001) and Quality Management (9001).  Each of these standards are recognized globally and considered management standards within the world’s economy.  I have listed links to both the Environmental Management (IS0-14001) and Quality Management (ISO-9001) standards.  Both standards should be understood and considered when evaluating an electronics recycler for its services.
Environmental Management ISO-14001: 2008 http://www.iso.org/iso/iso_catalogue/management_and_leadership_standards/quality_management.htm

Quality Management ISO-9001:2004 http://www.iso.org/iso/iso_catalogue/management_and_leadership_standards/environmental_management.htm

C. Internal Safety Standards and State Legislation Compliance

This section is also considered an important part in evaluating and selecting an electronics recycling vendor. Each state has standards for pollution liability, facility and grounds regulations/standards, zoning, etc. It is a crucial part in the vendor selection process, to make sure that they possess and can provide you with the correct documents that prove their compliance with state/federal laws and regulations. Common documents that different state departments require:

1. Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan
2. Pollution Liability Insurance in relation to State mandated coverage amounts
3. Annual or more frequent air testing of facility (OSHA Requirement)
4. DNR Registration and EPA ID Number
5. Zero Landfill Ban for Electronics (this is not mandated law by any state governments, but often preferred)
6. Financially Guaranteed Closure Plan: Guarantees that your company is not held liable if the recycler goes out of business due to pollution caused by materials your company is responsible for sending them.
7. OSHAS 18001 international Health and Safety Management System
   1. http://www.ohsas-18001-occupational-health-and-safety.com/

Data Security: Standards for Data Destruction & Sanitization

A. Methods for Data Destruction and Sanitation

There are two common ways to destroy the data found on your company’s hard drives, media devices, usb’s, and cellular devices.

One of those ways is to electronically clear, purge, and/or wipe date from the hard drive or data containing device.  This allows you to continue to utilize the device for its general purposes but with no previously existing information remaining on the device for further users to obtain.

The other side of the data destruction coin is the standard for physical destruction of the data containing device. Specifically pertaining to hard drive destruction;  shredding or perforating the hard drive are two highly recognized processes in physically destroying the data within the device as well as the device itself.

B. Data Destruction/Sanitation Standards

There are three common standards/certifications for Data Destruction as recognized within the electronics recycling and asset management industry. When recycling devices that contain sensitive data please audit your selected electronics recycling vendor and make sure they are destroying data to one or more the below stated standards:

1. National Association of Information Destruction: NAID Certification http://www.naidonline.org/forms/cert/26_cert-app-sanitization.pd

2. Department of Defense Data Destruction: DoD 5220.22M Standard http://www.usaid.gov/policy/ads/500/d522022m.pdf

3. National Institute of Standards and Technology: NIST 800-88 Standard http://csrc.nist.gov/publications/nistpubs/800-88/NISTSP800-88_rev1.pdf

Customer Service and Value of Services Provided:

A. Value of Service over Price

I believe in the old saying “You get what you pay for”. I find this true in many situations personally but also in business. The electronics recycling industry is a perfect example of this saying. There are recyclers who will provide the jaw dropping lowest price, but I wouldn’t be so quick to jump on to their ship. There are several factors including all of the information previously provided, that play important roles in dictating a recycling corporation’s pricing structure and profit margins.

B. The Cost of Doing Things Right

When recycling, there are companies that promote themselves through the value in the services they provide. We need to allow ourselves to step away from the “cut to the chase and get to the price mindset”, and allow yourself to understand what the recycler can do for your company in providing the best services. Being able to provide the best services doesn’t come cheap for the recycler and in some occasions for their customers.   Through the money recyclers continue to invest in the following; R2 and/or E-Stewards certified certifications, fully securing their facility (24/7 surveillance, keycard access, etc.) paying their workers, and purchasing and maintaining equipment to be able to meet/exceed customer’s data destruction, reporting, and processing standards. These items are just a small chunk of the cost that recycling corporations take on, to ensure that the customer’s recycling expectations are being met and done in the right manner for years to come. Only then, can we truly be honest in saying we can provide, you the customer, the highest value through the services we provide. Most of us understand, that when we pay top dollar for something, we expect it to last. Not only it what the product or service provides to us but in the quality of what is provided through the product or service.

C. The Cost in Getting the Cheapest Price

Does this section make sense? In the electronics recycling world, the answer is absolutely! There are many corners available for recyclers to cut in providing the cheapest price to their customers. I have listed a few prevalent examples below:

Exporting:

Exporting is probably one of the biggest issues/laws in the industry.  The EPA does NOT allow the exporting of any hazardous materials containing devices to be exported to underdeveloped countries (i.e. China, Malaysia, India, Most of Africa, etc.). There are recyclers and companies working with or within these countries, and find ways to illegally ship materials into the country. This will allow the recycler to pay higher prices for this material, as the companies in the underdeveloped countries don’t have to worry about high labor costs, environmentally responsible disposal, and/or proper handling of hazardous materials contained within most electronic devices/parts. Money is the number one driver on both sides of the exporting fence!!!

Landfilling:

Landfilling is when a company is able to dispose of electronic devices and their materials by dumping them into a landfill. Some states such as Wisconsin and Illinois have implemented “No Landfill Bans for Electronics” throughout the state, requiring all recyclers, residents, etc. to dispose of electronics properly. Other states still allow landfilling of electronic materials but prefer they be recycled properly. Research your state regulations as well as the recycler’s processing standards. If they do landfill some material, please be aware of what this entails. When electronics are landfilled, materials such as lead, ink/toner cartridges, and circuit boards contain materials that leach (leak) hazardous material as it breaks down and decomposes its potential to harm the environment, wildlife, and possibly the people inhabiting the area near the landfill.

D. Affordability in Accommodating Your Financial Requirements

In all business to business relationships there has to be a focus on price and financial analysis. We need to research and compare equally qualified vendors and the pricing that they provide. Although many organizations would have this section at the top of the list in deciding on an electronics recycling vendor, I did not. I believe in getting the best value and service for the best price rather than receiving the best price for the value and service received.  I have suggested in the section below a few key points in how to further be able achieve getting the best price and service in acquiring your electronics recycling vendor.

Being Honest:

If you have found a vendor that can seemingly provide you with the best service, in which every other organization’s money but your own can afford. Be honest. Let them know your budget and/or the services you are currently receiving and what to expect in choosing a new vendor. There are many options that can be discussed on both the vendor and customer’s side of the coin that can help lower the costs.

Explain in detail:

Give the potential vendor the opportunity to understand from a 360 degree perspective; your requirements, expectations, past productions and future projections in electronics to be recycled and/or updated within your company. This will allow the recycler to provide to you the most accurate and detailed proposal in providing you their services (i.e. pricing structure: evaluated costs & profits to your company).

Conduct an On-Site Audit:

Our schedules may be hectic, but with the before mentioned “red flag” items to look out for, it is worth your time and your company’s reputation to conduct an on-site audit of your potential recycler’s facility and operations.  “Don’t always trust what you hear”, “See it to believe it”, “Don’t judge a book buy it’s cover”….-There is more than one of these sayings for a reason.

In conclusion, I would hope that I have provided you with a better understanding in the selection process of an electronics recycling vendor for your company. I will be the first to admit that the information within this article is not a detailed-all-encompassing manual for how to select the best electronics recycling vendor, but it is a good overview on making it easier for your selection processes.

I encourage all readers to visit our website http://dynamicrecycling.com and/or contact Jeremy Olson with further questions, comments, concerns, or inquiries on Dynamic Recycling’s service at: info@dynamicrecycling.com .

For further details on the convention, events, and list of exhibitors please visit the convention website at http://isriconvention.org/

As the sales executive with an electronics recycler, as well as a technology savvy consumer, I’m sure I am not the only one realizing the increased demand within the rapidly innovative and growing cell “smart” phone manufacturing industry. Not to mention the fact, that if you mistakenly drop a new smartphone from a height of greater than 12 inches you’re looking at having to purchase new phone, or dealing with the potential of receiving more than just a paper cut while texting or dialing.

With nearly 83% of U.S. adults owning a cell phone, recent studies show that about 35% of U.S. adults own smartphones currently. Understanding this percentage and comparing that to Nielsen today prediction that by Christmas 2011, 1 in 2 Americans will own a smartphone!!! This leaves us with our eyes open, jaws dropped, and few important questions in mind…

What is to be done with these devices when they become outdated, damaged, lost, etc? Reports show that over 700 million cellular devices were stockpiled in resident’s homes by the end of 2009, and given the previously stated facts; we need to take action in developing an effective plan of action in recycling these devices. Another concern is that much of the information we have on our computers can also be found on our smartphones. So we need to be confident in the data destruction processes, programs, and standards that your selected recycler is using in properly disposing of these devices. Below are a few tips in recycling your smartphones or other cellular “feature” phones devices.

1. Make sure the business you recycle with has the appropriate data destruction standards; cell phone shredding, data destruction compliance, proper data sanitization software.
2. Recycling cellular phones and other electronic devices should be done by certified electronics recycler. R2 or E-stewards certifications are preferred in comparison to industry standards.
3. Contact your wireless network provider, as they may have cell phone recycling program at little or no cost to you (Some even provide an incentive).
4. Email me at info@dynamicrecycling.com or visit http://dynamicrecycling.com for further information on industry standards and cell phone and other electronics recycling advice.

Please feel free to post your opinions, comments, questions as you see necessary: