- Company is lauded for promoting e-waste recycling awareness and developing best practice recycling technologies

CAPE TOWN, South Africa, March 14, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Based on its recent analysis of the electronic waste management market, Frost & Sullivan recognises Desco Electronic Recyclers with the 2013 Africa Green Excellence Award in Sustainable Development.

Rising volumes of electronic waste (e-waste) are a significant concern globally, and have led to the need for comprehensive and sustainable e-waste management solutions. In South Africa, the e-waste recycling issue is exacerbated by the lack of specific legislation, resulting in poor consumer awareness and a lack of established e-waste management best practices.

"As an operative in the industry for over two decades, Desco deserves recognition for the critical role it has played in advancing the promotion of e-waste recycling awareness, and the development of best practice recycling technologies," noted Frost & Sullivan Environment, Building and Technology Industry Analyst James Milne. "Diverting reusable waste from landfill for recycling and reuse embodies the concept of sustainable development. In light of its commendable green attributes and market-leading recycling technology initiatives within the local waste recycling industry, Desco has been chosen as a worthy recipient of Frost & Sullivan's Green Excellence Award."

Driving improved consumer awareness has been identified as a key element for developing growth in the e-waste management industry. Desco has played a major role in raising e-waste recycling consumer awareness, primarily through the introduction of targeted collection programmes and specific awareness drives directed towards learning institutions.

"Such initiatives are relatively under-utilised in the current e-waste recycling market, and Desco's approach is a commendable example for other companies in the industry," stated Milne.

Due to Desco's significant experience in the industry, the company has developed a number of best practice recycling techniques which are both highly efficient and environmentally safer than those practiced by informal industry participants.

"Critically, the company offers a full e-waste management solution (including e-waste collection) and market leading recycling technologies, which are designed to limit the effect of harmful or toxic substances released into the environment," elaborated Milne. "The company has also implemented stringent in-house safety procedures eliminating the damaging effects of substances released during processing, which have not been established in the informal market."

Desco offers a full range of recycling services for e-waste types, with an estimated 97% of all goods processed being recycled. The company is also ISO14001 certified.

Since Desco is a pioneering operative in the e-waste industry, it is in a strong position to leverage relationships with key industry participants - for the benefit of the industry as a whole. In particular, due to the company's expertise, it is able to offer government regulators assistance with improving legislation, which has detrimentally affected the growth of the industry.

The Frost & Sullivan Award for Green Excellence is presented each year to the company demonstrating excellence in developing and offering innovative product, service, or technology solutions addressing the concerns of climate change. This award recognises the company's extensive efforts and focus on advancing the cause of long-term sustainability.

Frost & Sullivan Best Practices awards recognise companies in a variety of regional and global markets for demonstrating outstanding achievement and superior performance in areas such as leadership, technological innovation, customer service, and strategic product development. Industry analysts compare market participants and measure performance through in-depth interviews, analysis, and extensive secondary research to identify best practices in the industry.

About Desco Electronic Recyclers

Desco Electronic Recyclers is an e-waste recycling company with its head office and processing plant situated in Pomona near Kempton Park. Desco has been recycling e-waste since 1992 and offers its services primarily to the IT and Telecommunications industries, as well as to corporations, government, educational and medical institutions.  

Desco offers a sustainable one-stop convenience for recycling of WEEE (Waste Electrical and Electronic equipment), with the assurance of secure processes and secure data destruction. Desco conforms to strict environmental recycling requirements. Our ISO 14001 Environmental Management System is certified compliant by an internationally accredited auditing company, and we are continuously monitoring and improving processes and waste stream management to suit market requirements, as well as to remain leaders in sustainability in the development of e-waste management in South Africa.  

Desco is an EWASA accredited recycler/dismantler and our facilities and processes are regularly audited against the e-waste standards as set by EWASA. Operating within a business management structure according to identified key and secondary processes as well as to legislative requirements, (National, Provincial, local, municipal and client specific), all Desco systems and processes are regularly audited by our business partners verifying that their standards and requirements are met. Desco also participates in Importers Take-back Schemes ensuring controlled and sustainable handling and recycling of redundant and obsolete equipment. 

Our services include but are not limited to:

• Collection of electrical and electronic equipment / e-waste from customer sites. We provide a free collection based on a minimum of a 1 ton capacity bakkie load or more.
• Buying and disposing of excess and redundant equipment.
• Warehouse and Computer room clear-outs.
• Secure data / hardware destruction, using an industrial shredding machine. This secure data destruction may be witnessed by the client.
• Other and specialized services can be addressed based on customer requirements.
• Awareness creation programmes with schools, retail businesses and others to promote responsible e-waste recycling. 

We follow an open door policy and take pride in our people, our controlled recycling processes and what we have achieved, to sustain and to protect our environment. Be assured of the Desco commitment to be a world class electrical and electronic equipment recycling service based on our ethos of Business Excellence, assuring you our client peace of mind.

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Contact:
Samantha James
Corporate Communications – Africa
Frost & Sullivan
P: +27-(0)21-680-3574
E: Samantha.James@frost.com

SOURCE Frost & Sullivan