NEWS
Green Scene: Electronics recycler sees growth via specialty services
EPA and GSA highlight "eCycling" on America Recycles Day
Carol Stream plant demonstrates "eCycling"
Com2 Recycling Solutions Certified to the e-Stewards Standard
Carol Stream, IL September 19, 2011 -- Com2 Recycling Solutions LLC
announced today that its Carol Stream facility at 140 E. Fullerton Ave has
been certified to the e-Stewards Standard for Responsible Recycling and
Reuse of Electronic Equipment.
The e-Stewards Certification program, created by the Basel Action Network
(BAN), formally recognizes electronics recyclers that adhere to
environmentally and socially responsible practices when recovering hazardous
electronic materials. It is the first such program backed by environmental
organizations and major corporations alike. The accredited third-party
audited certification program is supported by the USEPA and is endorsed by
Greenpeace USA, the Sierra Club, the Natural Resources Defense Council
(NRDC) , the Electronics TakeBack Coalition and 68 other environmental
organizations. It has also drawn the public support of major corporate
e-Stewards Enterprises including Alcoa, Samsung, Bank of America, Capitol
One Financial Corp. and Wells Fargo.
Companies pursuing e-Stewards Certification are subject to extensive and
rigorous audits conducted by accredited Certifying Bodies to ensure they
comply with the e-Stewards Standard and have an ISO 14001 environmental
management system in place. Com2 Recycling Solutions LLC is also certified
to the ISO 9001, OHSAS 18001 and now has completed the R2 Standard along
with the E-steward certification. Organizations and individuals entrusting
their scrap electronics to certified e-Stewards recyclers like Com2
Recycling Solutions, LLC. are ensured that their efforts to recycle
responsibly are honored.
A 60 Minutes expose entitled Following the Trail of Toxic e-Waste, which
aired in late 2008, left viewers wondering if their best intentions to
recycle hazardous electronic products had gone awry. The piece featured a
seemingly responsible recycling company collecting e-waste from Denver
residents and surreptitiously shipping it to poor countries where it was
being dumped and burned. BAN was an integral part of the investigation.
In the absence of leadership or laws requiring responsible electronics
recycling here in the United States, our organization felt it was necessary
to create a program to help people find a responsible recycler. Certified
e-Stewards Recyclers have undergone a rigorous independent audit process to
ensure they are not simply dumping this toxic waste on developing countries
under the guise of 'recycling', said Jim Puckett, BANs Executive Director.
As a Certified e-Stewards Recycler, Com2 Recycling Solutions, LLC. ensures
Illinois businesses and residents that their old electronics will be
recycled responsibly.
Saheem Baloch, Vice President of Com2 Recycling Solutions, LLC. said the
company has always committed to doing the right thing for his customers, but
that it has often been difficult to distinguish Com2 Recycling Solutions,
LLC from competitors that keep costs artificially low by secretly shipping
overseas. The e-Stewards Certification really helps folks separate the good
from the bad, said Baloch. "We are thrilled to have achieved this
designation and committed to meeting the highest bar for responsible
recycling.
For more information, contact:
Lauren S. Roman
e-Stewards Business Director
www.e-Stewards.org
206-652-5555 (o)
973.224.7632 (c)
Lroman@ban.org
About e-Stewards Certification
The e-Stewards Certification program, created by the Basel Action Network
(BAN), formally recognizes electronics recyclers that adhere to
environmentally and socially responsible practices when recovering hazardous
electronic materials. It is the first such program backed by environmental
organizations and major corporations alike. The accredited third-party
audited certification program is supported by the USEPA and is endorsed by
Greenpeace USA, the Sierra Club, the Natural Resources Defense Council
(NRDC), the Electronics TakeBack Coalition and 68 other environmental
organizations. It has also drawn the public support of major corporate
e-Stewards Enterprises including Alcoa, Samsung, Bank of America, Capital
One Financial Corp. and Wells Fargo.
About Com2 Recycling Solutions LLC
Operating one of the largest electronics and glass-to-clean-glass processing centers in Illinois, Com2 provides OEMs, corporate clients, municipal governments, recyclers and consumers with unparalleled electronics recycling services. In addition to e-Stewards Certification, Com2 holds ISO 9001,ISO14001, OHSAS 18001, MBE, SBA (8)a certifications, all of which are national and global industry standards. Com2 employees are committed to Environmental Protection by maintaining a 99% recovery rate. Com2's state-of-the-art processing system renders all equipment inoperable and destroys all data. Data security services include bulk recycling and drive wiping. Facilities are under constant security camera surveillance. Com2 uses proprietary asset tracking software for inventory tracking of serialized electronics to provide standard and customized reporting.
206 1st Ave South Suite 410 | Seattle, WA 98104 US
GraftonTownship Electronic Waste Recycling and Free Shredding Event (Rain or shine)
On September 24th, 2011 from 9 am to noon, you can bring your electronic waste and documents for on-site shredding to Grafton Township, 10109 Vine Street, Huntley Illinois. No early or late drop offs, please. An on-site document shredding truck will be available at no cost to participants. Please bring your paper in a paper bag. All electronic items that do not have a compressor will be accepted
“It’s insane to think about the amount of waste that’s being generated,” said Mel Nickerson, an attorney at the Environmental Law and Policy Center in Chicago and co-author of Illinois’ e-waste law. Beginning next year, the Illinois law bans e-waste from landfills. Effective January 2012, per Public Act 095-0959, a local garbage company will start leaving electronics at the curbside rather than collecting them to put in the landfills.
E-waste is the fastest-growing segment of the nation’s garbage, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. An Illinois law that took effect last year requires electronics manufacturers to achieve recycling goals, but they’re falling short of benchmarks that were already lower than those in other states. Trying to meet the law’s benchmarks, manufacturers contract with recyclers and report the weight of collected items to the Illinois EPA.
Residency is not required to take advantage of this bi-annual event. Questions about acceptable items for recycling should be directed to Com2, by calling 1-815-254-3535. Please call Linda Moore, Grafton Township Supervisor. At 1-847-669-3328 or visit www.graftontownship.net if you have any other questions or would like volunteer to assist with unloading the electronics from the cars as the items are dropped off.
Donations of non-perishable food items for the Food Pantry at Grafton Township would be greatly appreciated at the time items are dropped off at Grafton Township, 10109 Vine Street, Huntley.
http://www.caryillinois.com/whatsnew/Community%20Shredding%20Day%202011.2.pdf
http://huntley.patch.com/articles/lots-of-electronics-recycled-at-weekend-event
News Release
Date: April 19, 2011
Contact: Georgette Mrofcza
Assistant to the Executive Director
630-627-5040
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – LOMBARD, Illinois – We have heard the phrase “in this hard economy” all too many times. But this past week, the Lombard Area Chamber of Commerce and Industry witnessed that there is still heart out there in the business world. People will still go out of their way to do an act of kindness. And that is exactly what Com2 Computers, located at Main and Roosevelt, did when called and asked if they could help a disabled Lombard resident. Last week the Chamber received a call from a Lombard resident who was looking for a job that would allow him to work from home. He had been in contact with “Ticket to Work” which is a federal program that helps disabled individuals find employment. Through them he applied for a job with Loving Investments, LLC, a company which also helps individuals find employment. The only thing preventing him from getting the job was that he needed a computer to work from home. He first contacted the Rotary Club of Lombard and they suggested he call the Lombard Chamber of Commerce. So he called the Lombard Chamber Office and asked for their help. Typically, this is not what the Chamber does, but there was something about this person that made them put on their thinking caps and ask “What can we do to help?” They contacted Donna Vojensky of Com2 Computers and explained the situation to her and within 30 minutes she replied that Com2 Computers would be happy to provide the individual with an HP desktop computer complete with LCD flat screen monitor! The Lombard Chamber of Commerce would like to thank Com2 Computers for their generosity and for quickly coming to the aid of this individual, and would like to encourage everyone to think outside of the box when someone asks for your help. It is guaranteed that the act of kindness will warm your heart…in this hard economy!
Pledged e-Steward Recycler
October 26th 2010, Carol Stream IL
COM2 Recycling Solutions is pleased to announce that the non-profit environmental watchdog Basel Action Network has recognized COM2 Recycling Solutions as a Pledged e-Stewards electronics recycler, a designation awarded to electronics recyclers and asset managers who have been qualified as upholding the highest standard of environmental and social responsibility.
"We congratulate COM2 Recycling Solutions on passing our rigorous review," says Jim Puckett, BAN's Executive Director. "The public and COM2's customers can feel confident that, unlike most of the electronics recycling industry, e-Stewards do not send toxic electronic waste to developing countries, landfills, incinerators, or prison recycling operations. It is an expensive and complex process to recycle electronics so that hazardous materials do not harm people or the planet. In an industry rife with false claims and fraud, e-Stewards Recyclers can prove they are globally responsible and ethical."
"COM2 is pleased to conclude the extensive evaluation process and are eager to work with BAN on their global health and safety initiative." said Saheem Baloch, Vice President, COM2. "We have always been about safe electronics recycling, and we're thrilled that our high standards match those of only a few other BAN e-Stewards recyclers in the world."
BAN estimates that 80%-90% of US electronics recycling companies operate unethically, by engaging in the following activities: most so-called "recyclers" actually export the toxic scrap to developing countries such as Nigeria, Ghana, India and China, where primitive and toxic technologies are used, and toxic waste is released into air, water, and soil. 60 Minutes called Guiyu, China "the most toxic place on earth." Some US recyclers use solid waste landfills and incinerators, passing the toxics to local taxpayers and their groundwater. Others utilize prison recycling operations, which have been documented by the federal government as exposing inmates to hazards, and which provide unfair competition to legitimate recyclers in the private sector. Some in the industry ignore sensitive personal or corporate data hidden in memory devices in electronic equipment, and few protect their recycling workers from hazardous phosphors, toxic dust from shredded equipment, mercury vapor and other potent hazards associated with electronics recycling.
In response, BAN and other environmental and social justice advocates joined with a progressive minority of electronic recycling industry leaders to establish the e-Stewards Pledge program, which is based on a United Nations treaty restricting trade in hazardous waste. COM2 Recycling Solutions is the latest member of this progressive industry leadership.
COM2 Recycling Solutions is a leader in recycling electronic products for a wide range of consumer, business, and industrial needs. Based in Carol Stream, IL, the company recorded recycling of several million pounds of electronics and CRT glass for the year ended December 31, 2009. COM2 is an ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and OHSAS18001 certified SBA 8(a) company. For more information on the company and the COM2 brand, visit the company's website at www.com2computer.com
Contact: Saheem Baloch, COM2 Recycling Solutions Tel: 630-653-2662 Fax: 630-690-2662
COM2 NEWS
COM2 Recycling Solutions Moving into a Larger facility; Now Com2 can process more electronics/computers & CRT's
August 27, 2010
Com2 Recycling Solutions is a constant growing business and at all times motivated to achieve more, whether it's through certifications, production or facility growth.
Com2 is now in the course of moving into a larger facility, twice the size of our current facility. Therefore, com2 will have the capability to accept additional recyclable items.
Com2's success to expand into a larger facility is because of The New State of ILLINOIS LAW (which increased the collection) and their CRT glass processing facility (opened just 8 months ago). The vast amount of Electronics and CRT Glass being received left no alternative for Com2, but to move. Com2 will be progressing into the new facility on November 1st 2010 located at 140 Fullerton Ave. Carol Stream, IL. 60188.
Here at Com2 Recycling Solutions, we are dedicated to striving for the most excellent services possible to our clients and to accommodate our new clientele.
NOV: 2009
COM2 Recycling Solutions Launches High Efficiency CRT Recycling Technology Center; Responding to Rapid Increase in Recycling CRT TVs in Transition to Digital Broadcasting
2009-11-10 08:21:01
Carol Stream, Nov 10, 2009 - COM2 Recycling Solutions has developed a recycling technology using diamond cutting to separate the front panel and back part (funnel) of a cathode ray tube (CRT) used in TV sets and computer monitors. This technology, which is implemented at COM2's new plant in Carol Stream, allows for separating CRTs quicker and cleaner than before. With this highly-efficient technology, COM2 is poised to respond to the increasing demand for recycling used CRT TVs, tons of which are expected to be thrown away as the shift to digital broadcasting completed in June of 2009.
COM2's CRT recycling technology utilizes diamond cutting to drastically reduce the processing time with much less manual work, allowing one tube to be processed in 60 seconds. Along with a phosphor cleaning process, the system has a "surface profiling" function to achieve a high quality cut with no mixing between the front and funnel glass. The separated glass is then cleaned to produce furnace ready cullets.
Moreover, COM2's cutter is fully automated to measure the size (up to 42 inches) and types (normal and wide) of CRT TVs and process suited to the size and type of each CRT.
COM2 will continue to study possibilities in applying such recycling technologies to flat-panel TVs, and further raise the efficiency of the whole TV recycling process.
About COM2
COM2 Recycling Solutions is a leader in recycling electronic products for a wide range of consumer, business, and industrial needs. Based in Carol Stream, IL, the company recorded consolidated net recycling of more than 5 million pounds of electronics for the year ended December 31, 2008. COM2 is an ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and OHSAS18001 certified SBA 8(a) company. COM2 is currently pursuing BAN.ORG's e-Stewardship certification. For more information on the company and the COM2 brand, visit the company's website at www.com2computer.com
Contact: Saheem Baloch, COM2 Recycling Solutions Tel: 630-653-2662 Fax: 630-690-2662
Feb: 09, 2009
COM2 is pleased to announce that we've become Certified to ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and OHSAS 18001. This is further evidence of our commitment to provide your business with expert electronics recycling and asset management. Our goal is to help you find better ways to manage your cash flow through managing your electronics waste. COM2 offers collection, processing and asset management of your obsolete and surplus electronics. Whether you are upgrading your business computing systems or replacing telecommunications equipment, COM2 employees are here to help. COM2 is committed to providing superior service at affordable rates.
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Ranked 94 among Illinois's Top 100 Diversity Owned Business List