A company has been lauded for promoting e-waste recycling awareness and developing best practice recycling technologies.

Based on its recent analysis of the electronic waste management market, Frost & Sullivan has awarded 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’s 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 that 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.