Santa Clara, California-based e-scrap processor, ECS Regenesys, recently found itself transported a large amount of electronics out of the Southern Oregon community of White City to its Santa Clara facility, after the initial processor failed to see its duties through.

    Local e-scrap processor American Appliance Recyclers originally was contracted to handle and recycle the electronics, which included televisions and computer systems linked to local school districts, the U.S. government, Asante Health Systems and the Rogue Valley Transportation District (both of Medford, Oregon).  However, before the e-waste was properly dealt with, AAR went out of business and the shrink-wrapped material was left to sit dormant behind a chain link fence along a local highway, a move that left donating companies feeling uneasy.

    “Until electronic equipment has been properly recycled or disposed of, a donating business is still responsible for that piece of equipment,” said Lisa Freeman, toxic use and waste reduction technical assistant with the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (Portland), who also stated the agency may levy a fine against the company. (Emphasis added by A greenSpan)

    ECS Regenesys, which recently opened a new facility in nearby Medford, took advantage of the opportunity, hauling over 300,000 pounds to its Santa Clara processing plant for proper recycling.

    According to the DEQ, this was not the first time the state agency had to deal with AAR. Officials claim the now defunct processor had previously been investigated for shipping e-waste overseas.  AAR originally opened in 2002.