Recycling International
http://www.recyclinginternational.com
Published: August 2008 (No. 6 issue) pg. 52-53
GEEP’s Guide to E-cycling Success
The recent Electronics & Battery Recycling '08 congress in Toronto Canada, was the first North American event to be organised by Swiss recycling conference specialist ICM. It featured a personal view on global e-cycling solutions from Alfred Hambsch of Ontario-based Global Electric Electronic Processing - a company involved in the operation of e-scrap plants across three continents.
With seven e-scrap processing plants and 24 collection depots dotted around its home country, Ontario-based Global Electric Electronic Processing (GEEP) is by far Canada's largest player in the e-scrap recycling business. However, 'global player' would be a more accurate description of GEEP given that the company also has interests in four recycling plants in the USA, seven in Europe and one each in Russia, China, India, Singapore and Costa Rica.
Speaking at the Electronics & Battery Recycling '08 congress in Toronto, the company's CEO Alfred Hambsch argued that it was essential to find the right processing partners in order to become a world player in the e-cycling business. He also identified the following key issues facing globally-orientated companies such as his: 'You require good locations and infrastructure, asset management and risk mitigation for end-of-life products, chain of custody controls during recycling services, optimization of residual value, environmental certified downstream partners, a solution for the global logistic challenges and efficient asset liquidation and competitive pricing.'
Demand for consistency
GEEP's principal clients - the original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) - 'are no longer satisfied in dealing with local or regional service providers, but are demanding e-cyclers to be consistent in processes, logistics compatible systems and, most importantly, with downstream audits no matter where in the world they may be located,' said Mr Hambsch. 'I believe that, to be a serious player in e-recycling, you must be a service provider on a global scale. You must have a footprint worldwide to include the Americas, Europe and Asia.'
The best way of achieving such a goal is through joint ventures, he went on to say. 'This means taking established systems and making them compatible, globally combining with the strengths of the other parties,' he insisted.
As for other components in GEEP's success, Mr Hambsch continued: 'Our company basically revolves around a number of key elements. We possess state-of-the-art software and we have the capability of refurbishing and re-marketing. When re-marketing and refurbishing is not possible, then we have end-of-life processing technologies to create commodities that can be assayed and recovered.'
Client-specific needs
GEEP offers a number of core services to its OEM customers and to its corporate accounts. For a global player with a widespread client base, GEEP considers it essential to have a compatible software system and has therefore developed its own: Klondike Protect. 'Our clients and their requirements remain our driving force,' noted Mr Hambsch. 'Each client may have unique needs which we must accommodate and tailor to his operations. This software fulfills the wishes of our OEMs and corporate accounts. Coupled with this system is our state-of-the-art tracking system which follows each product from the time it enters our facilities until its final destination.'
However, GEEP's CEO concedes that, depending again on the client's requirements, the first option in e-cycling should be refurbishment, to which end the company boasts its own globally-approved EBAN Data Destruction global marketing systems. GEEP receives telecommunications products and electronics from many sources. Where resale of the products is an option, data destruction has become one of the most sought-out requirements in today's environment. 'We have addressed this aspect very seriously,' said Mr Hambsch. 'Our data destruction software is used at all our locations and, where necessary, we have portable units that can be located at a client's facility.'
Processing equipment
GEEP uses state-of-the-art technology and machinery to process a wide array of electrical and electronic products. This armoury includes: wire chopping lines; balers; precious metal shredders; and cathode ray tube processing equipment. All processing activity at every one of the company's sites is carried out in accordance with the international standards ISO 9001 and 14001.
Assay and analysis
To assess the composition and quality of the final commodities produced at GEEP, the company places great emphasis on assaying and analysis. 'We have the capability to check all incoming and outgoing materials through an on-site assaying lab in Barrie in the Canadian province of Ontario,' noted Mr Hambsch. 'Here, we can analyse electrical and electronic products for metallics and non-metallics. As a result, both GEEP and its clients can be assured of the potential re-marketing opportunities.'
Technologies are standardized throughout the entire GEEP set-up. Mr Hambsch observed: 'When a client agrees to a GEEP contract, he can be assured that his products will be managed with the same consistency anywhere in the world.' And he added: 'We are still interested in any company that feels they would fit into the GEEP footprint for consideration of a joint venture.'
