Environmental Advocacy
Tech Trade Up has maintained “green” ITAD environmental policies since 1991. Tech Trade Up has been referred to as “being green before the term was popular.” Tech Trade Up core environmental policies:
Zero
Landfill
Zero
Incineration
Zero export
of non-functioning assets or e-waste
Downstream Partner Requirements
There is no such thing as an “EPA-Certified Electronics Processing Facility.” The EPA does not audit electronics recycling operations and provide an approval designation. That is why it is necessary to work with an ITAD services provider that has a downstream process that is ISO 14001 certified and R2v3 & WEEE certified as well. These certifications require third party audits and need to be maintained.
Industry Standards for Best Practices: Recycling vs. Recertification/Reuse
Recycling
- Qualifications & Certifications:
- R2v3 and/or eStewards
- Authorization:
- Microsoft Registered Refurbishes (MRR) – "for small and medium sized refurbishers in providing professionallly PCs preinstalled with genuine Microsoft products*". Requires zero thresholds (high cost)
- Hierarchy On Value
- Sold in bulk pallets with very limited warranty – pennies on the dollar. "Commodity" market at all time low.
- Chain of Custody
- No direct information because assets are sold in bulkas used equipment to exporters and wholesalers.
Recertification
- Qualifications & Certifications:
- ISO 9001 – Recertification to like-new refurbished condition for resale to next user.
- Authorization:
- Microsoft Authorized Refurbishes (MAR) – "large refurbishers who meet a minimum average threshold of 1,000 PCs shipped per month**." – Changing to 20,000 PCs per year criteria.
- Hierarchy On Value
- Sold directly to the next user through major retailers such as Best Buy, Walmart and Staples (largest resellers in the marketplace according to Gartner) with warrantee from 18 to 36 months.
- Chain of Custody
- Heat Map to next user available.
