eGreen IT Solutions
After GPS trackers revealed unauthorized overseas printer shipments, Arizona-based eGreen IT Solutions, was quickly stripped of its e-Stewards certification.
The organization has asserted that it did not have any knowledge of breaking regulations.
Following an inspection, however, it was uncovered that there were two major discrepancies, as well as other contraventions of the e-Stewards rules. As a consequence of these infractions, eGreen IT Solutions’ certification was revoked.
Basel Action Network (BAN) Makes Final Judgement
To divulge additional possible violations of the e-Stewards Certification Program standards, the Basel Action Network (BAN) utilized GPS tracking to investigate the company. Subsequently, an evidentiary report revealed further transgressions of these guidelines, resulting in BAN’s decision.
According to E-Scrap News the president of eGreen IT Solutions, Karen Harris, stipulated that the company has been compliant with the e-Stewards Standard for over a decade and argues “we did not knowingly or intentionally violate the e-Stewards Standard.” Detailing that she believes her company is being “unfairly scapegoated”.
Harris also outlined that she has consistently advocated for GPS trackers as an effective tool to guarantee the proper disposal of e-scrap.
“We believe that it is important to work together with industry stakeholders and certification bodies to ensure that responsible e-waste management practices are being followed,” she commented. “We acknowledge that there were issues with our downstream provider, and we regret that these issues resulted in the withdrawal of our e-Stewards Certification.”
Printers Tracked to Southeast Asia
At the beginning of 2021, BAN outfitted two of its computer printers with GPS tracking devices and shipped them to eGreen IT Solutions.
The two machines were then dispatched from eGreen’s Phoenix offices and sent to Olgin Efune Recycling Company (OERC) before traveling to California, and eventually arriving at final destinations: Malaysia and the Philippines.
An examination of eGreen’s activities found that, in spite of taking 20 months to approve OERC as an immediate downstream processor, the company started shipping printers before approval “and at least by 7/4/22 knew OERC exported printers to Malaysia.” In addition to this concern, data security issues were highlighted in the document.
As of March 2, 2023, BAN has suspended eGreen IT Solutions’ e-Stewards license for a minimum period of two years. This pause will be lifted after March 2, 2025 when the company can reapply for its recertification.
Harris articulated that she and her firm “remain committed to promoting environmentally and socially responsible e-waste management practices. We hope that we can work together with BAN and other industry stakeholders to address any concerns and continue promoting responsible e-waste management practices.”
She added that maintaining ISO 14001 and NAID AAA certifications will be a top priority for eGreen IT, “and [the company] will continue to work towards meeting the requirements of the e-Stewards Certification Program without the ‘certificate.’”
eGreen IT Ships Materials Before Approval was Granted
As part of the investigation, eGreen IT had sent BAN multiple requests on March 20, 2021 and July 4, 2021 to add OERC as a downstream provider. Reports were also sent out by the company showing that 1,982 pounds of printers were conveyed straight to OERC from June 10, 2021 until Dec. 13, 2021, even though these actions had not been approved yet.
“Sixteen months after beginning their IDP approval process, eGreen IT still had not approved OERC, but could see that printers were being ‘shipped as is’ to Malaysia,” BAN’s evidentiary report noted.
Corresponding with the findings, as of May 2022, the second printer had been placed in a Malaysian greenspace and was still functioning.
The downstream disposition report from eGreen IT did not state that any of the printers were going to OERC, or were to be exported out of the U.S., but rather indicated that OERC would be receiving the ferrous and non-ferrous materials only.
Data Security Considerations
Data security is a major concern for BAN, which was brought to light by OERC’s statements in eGreen’s Downstream Provider Questionnaire.
The survey proved that printers were sent unaltered to Port Klang West in Malaysia, without any assurance from eGreen IT that the organization had sanitized data or ensured that OERC was doing so properly. According to BAN, the contract with OERC was “wholly inadequate” and was likely based on an outdated version of the e-Stewards Standard.
A formal audit conducted in February of 2022 uncovered nine downstream providers who lacked proof of initial due diligence, and subsequent annual desk audits. However, corrective actions were taken to address the situation and develop a plan of action.
Nevertheless, after further review, it became clear that eGreen IT had ample opportunities to present counterarguments and clarifications as stated in recent reports.
Karen Harris Expresses Frustration
In response to the incident, Harris maintained that she hadn’t intended for the printers to be shipped out before gaining approval from OERC. Likewise, she insinuated that BAN had put a greater emphasis on criticism and public humiliation of eGreen IT, rather than attempting to remedy the matter.
“While we understand the concerns raised by BAN regarding the export of our materials to unapproved Immediate Downstream Providers and ultimately to locations outside of the United States, we believe that our company is being unfairly scapegoated in this situation,” she said.
Expressing her disappointment, Harris wished that BAN would have contacted her when the first printer was identified as having been delivered to an unsanctioned destination. This way, it might have been possible to stop the second printer from being routed overseas, according to her.
“We were alerted by the certifying body of this when remedying the situation was too late of an option,” Harris said. “We believe this matter could’ve been handled more professionally, not only by our parties involved but also with the certifying body who worked more to publicly castigate than to empower a decade-long e-Stewards partner.”
