UPS recycles electronics
UPS, one of the largest parcel shipping services
in the United States, also happens to be one of the most environmentally
conscious. In 2000, UPS implemented its Asset Recovery and Recycling
Management services, and over the past six years, has managed to
recycle 16.9 million pounds of electronic equipment.
The service is designed to streamline companies’
often fragmented or non-existent e-waste disposal policies. With
increasing government enforcement of correct handling and reporting
standards, UPS provides companies with a single point of contact,
better tracking and governmentally compliant records.
Additionally, UPS has Supply Chain Solutions distribution
facilities scattered across the nation which serve as convenient
drop off points for used or damaged electronic components. If dropping
the e-waste off is not an option, UPS can arrange for the pick up
and shipment of obsolete electronics from a company’s own
distribution centers.
The drop off concept is for more than large corporations.
At certain locations of The UPS Store, individuals may stop by and
drop off their old cell phones, which are shipped to ReCellular,
a UPS partner. ReCellular then refurbishes the phones and resells
them in developing markets.
Internally, UPS has developed a web site for company
technicians to determine if computer equipment should be repaired
or sent to a vendor for refurbishment or recycling.
UPS, along with others, has also partnered with
eBay to provide consumers and corporations alike with information
and resources for environmentally-friendly disposal of e-waste.
The program is called the ReThink initiative and more about it can
be viewed at http://rethink.ebay.com. |
