Sprint was honored by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) with the first-ever Sustainable Materials Management (SMM) Electronics Challenge Champion Award for its leadership in collecting and responsibly managing electronics waste.
This is the third major award that Sprint has received following the Climate Leadership Award and the WasteWise Partner of the Year, in 2014 by the EPA.
Device reuse and recycling plays a critical role in business success and help to reduce environmental footprint. The mobile device buyback program has helped Sprint save $1 billion in costs and has helped to provide $100 million back to customers, said, Jeff Auman, vice president, product operations, Sprint.
The honoring ceremony took place at the SMM Electronics Reuse and Recycling Forum at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Crystal City.
In addition to the event, a discussion was held with the electronics community on shared priorities that will improve end-of-life electronics recycling in the U.S.
This award identifies electronics original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and retailers that demonstrate outstanding leadership and innovation in the electronics lifecycle, highlighting the sustainable management of electronics.
Sprint initiated the launching of SMM Electronics Challenge in 2012 to tackle the universal issue of discarded electronics. In collaboration with other OEMs and retailers, Sprint responded EPA’s demand to commit more collected electronics.
Participants in the challenge were asked to send 100 percent of collected used electronics to third-party certified recyclers and provide public report. These certifications are based on environmental standards for used electronics that maximize reuse and recycling and minimize exposure to human health or the environment.
Electronics are made of resources like metals, copper, plastic and glass, all of which need energy to extract and manufacture, said, Mathy Stanislaus, assistant administrator, EPA’s Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response.
Improper handling of discarded electronics results in serious health consequences and these efforts to recycle used electronics is a great step towards addressing public health concerns, conserving materials, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions, added Stanislaus.