Electronic Recyclers International Partners with United Nations University, US EPA and Basel Convention for “Person in Port” Project

FRESNO, Calif.--()--Electronic Recyclers International (ERI), the nation’s leading recycler of electronic waste, hosted and helped train guests from around the world last week as part of the “Person in Port” program. The program was launched by the United Nations University (UNU), the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Basel Convention Coordination Centre for Africa (BCCC) in Nigeria – all members of the Solving the E-Waste Problem Initiative (Step).

The Step partners are teaming with ERI to gather information and reliable data on the import of used electronics and e-waste into Nigeria, one of the main countries in West Africa through which electronic waste flows.

The project focuses on identifying the types and amounts of e-waste imported, its functional status, how it is packaged, labeled and transported, its origin (exporting countries), and what will become of it once it arrives in Nigeria. Timing of the project is to be determined.

In order to effectively prepare the analysts from the participating organizations, ERI hosted a series of educational training sessions, demonstrating best practices for the recycling of electronics.

“We were honored to provide the training for this important initiative,” said ERI Chairman and CEO John Shegerian. “The responsible recycling of electronics is an issue that knows no national borders, in terms of importance. The planet’s increasing glut of electronic waste is a global problem that’s time for resolution is now. Properly disposing of electronic waste and the environmental hazards and digital privacy issues it presents has become the touchstone for a major industry with regional, national and international implications. It’s a rare privilege that ERI has partnered with the United Nations University, the EPA and the Basel Convention as an example of how to recycle electronics effectively, safely and in a sustainable manner.”

For more information on the Step initiative, visit http://www.step-initiative.org/index.php/Initiative_Principles.html.

For more information on general recycling needs, visit www.electronicrecyclers.com, http://1800recycling.com, http://greenisgoodradio.com or www.urbanmining.org.

Electronic Recyclers International (ERI), the world’s largest privately held recycler of electronic waste, is e-Stewards and R2 certified to de-manufacture and recycle every type of electronic waste in an environmentally friendly manner. ERI processes more than 275 million pounds of electronic waste annually at eight locations serving every zip code in the United States. For more information about e-waste recycling and ERI, call 1-800-ERI-DIRECT or visit www.electronicrecyclers.com.

Contacts

MediaLine Communications
Paul Williams, 949/916-6880
paul@medialinecommunications.com

Contacts

MediaLine Communications
Paul Williams, 949/916-6880
paul@medialinecommunications.com