Converge Adds IT Asset Disposition Services to Singapore Plant

Converge, a leading supply chain services company based in Peabody, Mass., has announced the expansion of its international IT asset disposition (ITAD) facilities to support the secure, “green” disposal of obsolete computer equipment.

Converge’s Singapore facility, which it calls a state-of-the-art hub for electronic components distribution, has been expanded to include a full suite of ITAD services.

“Global presence and capabilities have become key decision criteria for enterprises selecting an ITAD partner,” says Converge CEO Frank Cavallaro. “Today we have an unsurpassed worldwide network of facilities and expertise for advanced services that support the entire electronics life cycle.”

The enhanced Singapore ITAD operation joins Converge’s full-service facility in Schiphol, Netherlands, servicing Europe. These new centers complement Converge’s ITAD capabilities in the United States, with major facilities in Peabody and Columbus, Ohio

“The Fortune 1000 customers that we serve absolutely require in-region resources for the risk-sensitive disposal of retired IT assets,” says Chris Adam, Converge vice president of ITAD services. “They demand security and transparency throughout the entire process, from preparing IT assets for shipment to physically transporting them to the most appropriate processing facility. This cannot be accomplished without a uniform process that provides full visibility into each step of the disposition process.”

In addition to Converge-owned facilities, the company has developed a network of “managed partners” worldwide, which it claims provides “a single, seamless process across all its global ITAD service offerings.” The company says its process is tied together by its proprietary Asset Manager Web-based reporting system, which provides clients with real-time visibility into the process and features detailed reporting, metrics and benchmarking tools.

Converge is a global supply chain partner for technology-driven companies. The organization’s three business divisions provide to just-in-time distribution of electronic components, reverse supply chain solutions and secure IT asset disposition.

Finnish Firm Opening Electronics Scrap Recycling Facility in Pennsylvania

The Pennsylvania Recycling Markets Center, Inc. announced the launch of an electronics recycling facility in Philadelphia by the Finnish firm Kuusakoski. The new facility will be called Kuusakoski Philadelphia, LLC. It will be a wholly owned subsidiary of the European company Kuusakoski OY.

The launch culminates in two years of technical management and project coordination by the non-profit company. At full production, the electronics recycling facility, slated to cost around $10 million, will recover and process at a minimum 15,000 tons of electronic scrap a year. The facility will employ about 30 people in the operation.

The Kuusakoski processing technology is the first of its kind introduced to the United States, which is presently operated at locations in Finland, Sweden and Russia. In addition to the processing facilities in those three countries, the company operates a host of trading offices throughout the world.

“We are excited and eager to move forward in building many new business opportunities,” said Richard Burgess, president BGA Commodities; newly appointed as CEO and managing partner of Kuusakoski Philadelphia.

Burgess takes over the operation of the wholly owned subsidiary of Kuusakoski after the Finnish company acquired his facility. In addition to electronic scrap, the plant handles some types of industrial scrap metal.

Burgess says that the facility, to be located at the location where BGA operated, will have two large pieces of equipment installed. The first item should be installed by early 2010, while a larger piece of equipment should be in place by the end of 2010. In the meantime, the company will use the facility to collect material and ship the unprocessed electronics to Kuusakoski’s European locations.

When the equipment is installed, the company will do processing of both the plastics as well as metals, shipping the processed material to end sources.

“Kuusakoski has proudly partnered with BGA Commodities and the Recycling Markets Center to make this project a reality.  “Without involvement of RMC, it is likely our efforts to invest in Pennsylvania would not have occurred,” said Vesa Samela, Kuusakoski country manager USA, board member of Kuusakoski Philadelphia, LLC.  “Further, we have received a cordial introduction from the Department of Environmental Protection in Pennsylvania.”

The Pennsylvania Recycling Markets Center provided management support though all phases of the economic development project, including business planning; loan, grant, and tax credit coordination; facilitation of opportunities with the Departments of Environmental Protection and Community and Economic Development; introduction to the Governor’s Action Team; introduction to the Philadelphia Industrial Development Authority; introduction to the Center for International Regulatory Assistance; and technology and process validation.

EPA Fines California Company for Violating Export Laws

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has issued an order seeking penalties up to $37,500 per day to Monterey Park, Calif.-based ZKW Trading for failing to properly manage electronic waste that it attempted to export to Hong Kong.

“This agency is firmly committed to greater e-waste stewardship; companies that make, distribute, use, and dispose of electronic products share the responsibility for reducing their environmental impact,” says Jeff Scott, director of the Waste Management Division for EPA’s Pacific Southwest region. 

EPA issued the penalty order after ZKW failed to comply with a September 2009 order requiring ZKW to remove its cargo from the Port of Long Beach and to submit a plan for management of electronic waste that ZKW had shipped to Hong Kong without providing required notice. 

The waste was part of a shipment of about 31,993 pounds of cathode ray tubes that had been rejected in Hong Kong and returned to the Port of Long Beach. ZKW failed to provide appropriate notice to EPA or to the receiving country as required by federal law. After receiving the earlier order, ZKW informed EPA that it would not comply with the order.

“EPA requires all exporters of e-waste for recycling to provide notification,” said Amy Miller, who leads Resource Conservation and Recovery Act enforcement in EPA’s Pacific Southwest region. “Companies that fail to comply will face significant penalties.” 

The EPA also noted that in June 2009, ZKW Trading reportedly consigned 38 pallets of cathode ray tubes – listing the cargo as plastic scrap – for shipment to Hong Kong, where it was rejected by Hong Kong customs authorities.   

The order gave ZKW Trading 30 days to remove the cargo, and forty-five days to submit a plan to the EPA detailing how it will reuse, recycle, or discard the CRTs.  ZKW Trading’s failure to comply subjects it to fines of up to $37,500 per day of noncompliance.

Regulations took effect in January 2007 requiring exporters shipping CRTs to another country for recycling to notify the EPA and receive written consent from the receiving country before shipments can be made.

PSI 2010 Meetings Tied to Four Events

The Paper Stock Industries (PSI) chapter of the Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries Inc. (ISRI) has announced its 2010 meeting.

Each of the chapter’s membership and board meetings will be tied to larger recycling industry events in 2010. “The chapter is exploring new tie-in opportunities and taking advantage of industry event changes that will give our group some new exposure,” the PSI Board of Directors says in a news release accompanying the schedule announcement.

The PSI members and board will meet in 2010 at these four events:

• The Southeast Recycling Conference & Trade Show, Destin, Fla., March 7-10. On March 8, a PSI cocktail reception will take place at the Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa, where the event is being held. The announcement from PSI notes, “This new PSI event is in lieu of past receptions at Paper Week in New York City; because of a schedule change by AF&PA (the American Forest & Paper Association), the Paper Mills’ Recycling Division of AF&PA will not be meeting at Paper Week this year.”

• ISRI Annual Convention & Exposition, San Diego, May 4-8. “Paper and recovered fiber recycling is the newest segment to be fully incorporated into convention programming as ISRI’s Paper Stock Industries (PSI) Chapter moves to participate more fully in the convention,” says PSI. “The PSI Chapter will hold its semi-annual chapter meeting during the annual ISRI Convention as well.”

• Paper Recycling Conference & Trade Show, Chicago, June 13-15. A PSI cocktail reception and meetings will take place in coordination with the Recycling Today Paper Recycling Conference, held at the Marriott Downtown Chicago Magnificent Mile.

• 49th Annual PSI Fall Conference, Palm Beach, Fla., Nov. 9-12. The 49th annual version of the PSI Fall Conference is to be held at the Four Seasons Resort in Palm Beach.

More information on the PSI’s involvement in these events can be obtained by e-mailing
info@paperstockindustries.org.

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Harris Unveils New Horizontal Baler

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Harris Unveils New Horizontal Baler

Harsco Inks Contract with Asphalt Shingle Manufacturer

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Hydro Looks to Boost its Aluminum Recycling Efforts

European firm adds recycling expert to its staff.

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Ripple Glass Starts Glass Recycling Program in Kansas City

Glass crushing facility is expected to cost around $3.5 million.

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Ripple Glass Starts Glass Recycling Program in Kansas City