Incorporated in Vermont this week, the World Reuse, Repair and Recycling Association (WRRRA) said its first goal was to establish a set of quality standards for exporting monitors, televisions and other electronics for re-use.
The Association has been formed after electronics refurbishing companies in Southeast Asia raised concerns that some of their sources in the USA were sending unusable equipment “along for the ride” with good equipment.
It is thought that some exporters ship this equipment out to save on the cost of recycling. An American processor can pay between $5 and $15 to recycle damaged cathode ray tubes, and exporting it seen as the cheaper option.
The WRRRA will “demand higher environmental standards for overseas refurbishing companies” and “force association members to improve their own proceses for electronic scrap”, it said.
Support
The organisation will also promote domestic electronics recycling in the USA, and will help its exporting companies find markets for their equipment, including support for the due diligence involved in setting up export arrangements.
The Association said it hopes to include international member companies from Europe, Asia and South America, revealing that “some overseas companies have already expressed an interest in joining, and even financing, the WRRRA”.
Association founder Robin Ingenthron explained: “Several companies tried to establish a higher exporting standard to meet the strong legitimate demand for working and repairable monitors and TVs overseas. I think many of us found we didn't have enough material to dictate the terms.”
He said some of the companies had tried raising the prices they charged waste producers to take the equipment, while others tried lowering export standards to compete with larger-scale organisations.
Mr Ingenthron said: “This organisation will co-operatively sell quality items, and perform diligence on every members' behalf. We will make use of market forces rather than trying to deny them.”
A not-for-profit organisation, membership for the Association will initially be free of charge, but members could in future vote for a fee to be introduced, the Association said.
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