Dell Company that related to E-waste

Dell Company that related to E-waste

Dell Company that related to E-waste

Introduction

Computers and other electronic equipment are made from hundreds of different materials. Many of these materials are inherently valuable, such as gold and platinum, and many are non-renewable. If they can be extracted they can be reused in manufacture again as a 'secondary' raw material. There are also some nasties in e-waste. Heavy metals including lead, cadmium, mercury and arsenic are used in electronic equipment. When disposed of they can leach from landfill tips into the water table. Brominated-flame retardants used in computer equipment are both an occupational and environmental health threat. Printer inks and toners often contain toxic materials such as carbon black and cadmium. It is these environmental health implications that have put e-waste under the spotlight of international governments and environmentalists alike Dell claims to be the first major computer manufacturer to ban the export of electronic waste including non-working electronics to developing countries as part of its global policy on responsible electronics disposal. (Bartholomew, D. 2004)

Dell says its electronics disposition policy now exceeds requirements of the Basel Convention, which bans the export of certain electronic waste based on its material or chemical composition. By expanding its definition of electronic waste to include all non-working parts or devices, irrespective of material composition, and by requiring that equipment be tested and certified as “working” prior to export, Dell says it aims to help prevent the unauthorized dumping of electronic waste in developing countries. This means that Dell will not export — directly or indirectly through vendors in its recycling chain — any non-working electronic product from developed nations to developing nations for recycling, reuse, repair, or disposal. The only exception is for warranty repairs by the original equipment manufacturers.

A 2008 report by the Government Accountability Office found that a substantial amount of electronic waste ends up in countries such as China and India, where they are often handled and disposed of unsafely, according to the Electronics TakeBack Coalition. In addition, Basel Action Network (BAN), a global watchdog group, reports that many of the exports are labeled for reuse, but in Lagos, Nigeria, for example, as much as 75 percent of the monthly imports are not economically repairable or marketable according to a 2005 BAN report. (Bartholomew, D. 2004)

Barbara Kyle, national coordinator for the Electronics TakeBack Coalition, which promotes responsible recycling and green design in the electronics industry, says Dell's export policy sets a standard for others in the industry and should serve as a model for overdue federal policy on e-waste. Within the past few years Dell has continued to experience growth, but some markets where Dell is active have become mature and saturated. The following key strategic issues must be taken into account when devising a strategy for Dell to continue to achieve above average returns:



Explanation

Dell's disposition chain is tracked and documented throughout the entire chain of custody until final disposition. Dell said it will audit its recycling, refurbishment ...