The e-Stewards program was first initated as a pledge by the Basel Action Network, BAN, in 2003 in response to the horrors discovered overseas by in Guiyu, China as shown in the BAN film “Exporting Harm”. It was seen as vital that the public be able to find recyclers that truly recycled and did not simply export their e-waste and scrap to developing countries. The program has now evolved to an accredited Certification based on the e-Stewards Standard.

e-Stewards certification is an accredited, third-party audited, certification program for electronics recyclers, refurbishers and asset managers, based on the e-Stewards Standard which defines best practices for ethical and responsible used electronic equipment management.  e-Stewards Certified Processors attract customers who care about data security, brand protection, human rights and environmental justice. 

The current e-Stewards Standard for Ethical and Responsible Reuse, Recycling, and Disposition of Electronic Equipment and Information Technology Version 4.1 was published on February 22, 2022. It establishes best practices for globally responsible and ethical electronics recycling and reuse. It prohibits the export of hazardous electronic waste from developed to developing countries while allowing viable technology to be reused. It includes the ISO 14001 or RIOs standard as an Environmental Management System and requires Certification to i-Sigma’s NAID AAA Data Security Standard. Certified e-Stewards recyclers are audited by accredited certification bodies to assure conformity to the e-Stewards Standard.

e-Stewards certified recyclers among the best electronics recyclers in the world and adhere to the strictest standards for safe, responsible and legal recycling and reuse. are audited and certified to the highest global standard. e-Stewards possesses a conformity assurance methodology second to none. It is described as a Leadership Standard as it is created by a consensus of community leaders and not simply a consensus of all actors. By using it Enterprise companies and institutions will foster high standards of ESG leadership and avoid liabilities that have plagued the recycling industry.

Being an e-Stewards Enterprise means your company or institution has signed the Enterprise Memorandum of Understanding with BAN and are thus committed to the cause ethical and responsible recycling globally. It indicates that your organization will always prefer using certified e-Stewards recyclers. However, any organization can use an e-Stewards certified recyclers for their asset disposition whether registered formally as an Enterprise partner or not.

After the Enterprise Memorandum of Understanding has been signed, we’ll email you a welcome package, complete with a copy of our logo and terms for its use. Displaying the e-Stewards logo on your site shows your commitment to environmental and social justice and lets your clients know you’ve chosen to always prefer e-Stewards for your asset disposition. It’s your choice whether or not you display the e-Stewards logo, but we hope you do.

You can find e-Stewards certified recyclers using our Find a Recycler Map and our Certified Recycler list.