(Elkridge, MD, 3/1/2011) - This week the Elkridge based electronics recycler, E-Structors, Inc. (ESI) announced that their entire recycling facility and corporate offices have become 100% landfill free.
The 1.8 million pound-per-month electronics recycler reported that after a year of examining and streamlining their waste stream process, they were able to reach the 100% landfill free mark this week.
“We spent a great deal of time reevaluating our recycling process, in order to find every possible opportunity to reduce our waste output,” said Julie Keough, CEO of E-Structors, Inc. “Some changes were easy adjustments, while others took a bit of creativity and hard work, to accomplish.”
Since the introduction of the landfill free plan, ESI has found ways to reduce their overall waste stream by finding additional ways to recycle. The company has reported that they are now recycling their packaging shrink wrap, increased their efficiency in the sorting and separating stages of the process, and is sending unrecyclable materials to be converted to energy at a local waste-to-energy facility.
“We are very excited to know that absolutely nothing coming into our facility will leave and enter into the nation’s waste stream,” said Mike Keough, President on E-Structors, Inc. “In the past there was always the slightest bit of material that we were unable to recycle and had to throw out. Now it can be converted into electrical energy.”
Becoming 100% landfill free is just another monumental accomplishment for the young e-cycler. Since their founding in 2003, ESI has received both their ISO 14001:2004 and R2 (Responsible Recycling) certifications through outside auditing organizations ensuring environmental protection, conservation, and stewardship. They have also pledged to follow the e-Stewards standards on recycling and information security.
“We feel that it is important to take every step that we can to reduce our impact on the environment,” said Julie Keough. “If we don’t begin conserving now, there will be nothing left for future generations.”
Last year ESI sent approximately 22 million pounds of materials to be recycled into other items. Included in the recycling total was 3.4 million pounds of glass, 4 million pounds of scrap aluminum, copper, and steel, 1.9 million pounds of plastics, and 3.5 million pounds of paper.
Currently E-Structors only handles recycling contracts for companies and organizations, but Mike Keough says that there is continued room for improvement in the number of businesses that recycle. “Talk to your employers and ask how they handle their electronic waste. Many companies don’t know how simple and necessary it is to start recycling electronics.”
There is no indication from Julie Keough that they are finished lessening their impact on the world around them. “There is always more that can be done. As we reach one accomplishment, we begin looking towards the next, always attempting to become better stewards of the environment.”
