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Source: WeRecycle! Inc. News Release

WeRecycle!, Inc. Recognized for Upholding the Highest Environmental Standards in Electronics Recycling

Approval from Basel Action Network Further Differentiates Recycling Company as a Leader in the Industry

Meriden, CT, September 29, 2005 - WeRecycle!, Inc. announced today that they have signed the Electronics Recycler’s Pledge of True Stewardship. Signing the Pledge affirms WeRecycle!’s commitment to provide the highest environmental and social standards possible for the dismantling and recycling of used computers and other electronic devices. The Pledge was created by members of the Computer TakeBack Campaign, including the Basel Action Network (BAN), and the Silicon Valley Toxics Coalition (SVTC).

“It just made sense to sign the Pledge,” said Mick Schum, P.E., President of WeRecycle!. “We have always provided the most environmentally efficient processes available for the materials that we recycle.” By signing the Pledge, WeRecycle! agrees, among other things, not to allow hazardous e-waste, as defined internationally, to be sent to solid waste landfills, incinerators, prison recycling operations or developing countries. Electronic waste contains toxins such as lead, mercury, and cadmium, which can cause long-term damage to our health and environment when improperly managed.

According to Sarah Westervelt, of the Basel Action Network, “It’s important to understand that the U.S. has not harmonized its definitions of hazardous waste with the international ones. Once toxic e-waste gets outside of U.S. territory, it automatically falls under the umbrella of international law, and it is illegal for more than 130 countries to trade in hazardous wastes with the U.S.”

WeRecycle! maintains a no export policy of hazardous e-waste to non-OECD (Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development) member countries. “We go to great lengths to protect our customers’ interests. This includes the strict assurance that their equipment will not end up in the wrong place,” states Schum. Ted Smith, chairman of the Computer TakeBack Campaign and senior analyst for the Silicon Valley Toxics Coalition states, “People who think their electronics are being recycled in the U.S. are shocked to learn that, in fact, an awful lot of these products are being shipped abroad. This is not really recycling at all. It is really hazardous waste dumping on the poor.”

WeRecycle! is also strongly against the use of prison labor in electronics recycling. Aside from the issue of subsidized labor, there is the very real concern about data and equipment security. “The thought that prisoners can have access to a company’s assets or the information stored on hard drives should be a major concern for organizations that use the prison system directly or indirectly through other recyclers,” states Gina Chiarella, Director of Business Development at WeRecycle!. Neither WeRecycle! nor any of their approved processors uses prison labor to dismantle or recycle e-waste. WeRecycle! is fully permitted to disassemble used electronics and offers complete destruction of data in its secure processing facility.

Ms. Chiarella states, “We have a responsibility to educate and inform our customers about the potential liability and risk when choosing a vendor to manage their used electronics. It is important,” says Chiarella, “for companies to do their own due diligence to determine whether or not a vendor is operating in line with their environmental and social standards, and to make sure they are not vulnerable to potential fines or negative publicity as a result of making a bad choice. People cannot assume that all recyclers share their values. There are too many economic incentives to be less responsible. Each organization must evaluate their own risk and determine who they want to be affiliated with.”

About WeRecycle!
WeRecycle!, Inc. is committed to meeting and exceeding globally accepted best practices for the recycling and management of used electronics. In addition to recycling, WeRecycle! provides certified data removal, asset tracking, remarketing, logistics, and reporting. WeRecycle!'s asset management and data security services protect customers' assets and proprietary information by adhering to the strictest industry standards. WeRecycle! upholds the highest environmental standards for all managed materials.

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