BAN GPS Tracking Exposed Dell's Illegal E-Waste Exports

SEATTLE (Scrap Monster): The GPS Tracking System by the non-profit group Basel Action Network (BAN) has alleged Dell Technologies of illegally exporting electronic waste to developing countries.

The investigation revealed that the company shipped several low-value electronic devices collected through its takeback and recycling program in partnership with Goodwill Industries. This is in violation of Dell’s corporate policy which prohibits the company from doing so. In addition, the company has also violated the Basel Convention criteria.

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According to BAN report, it tracked the movement of six devices that were donated to the Goodwill location. It was found that two of them ended up in recycling facilities in Maryland that were not part of the Reconnect recycling program. The other four end-of-life LCD computer monitors were exported to Guatemala. Under the Basel Convention, developing countries such as Guatemala are not allowed to receive any hazardous waste such as electronic waste from the U.S.

Meantime, Dell stated that the incident occurred due to accidental placement of the devices in a bin full of textile waste. It resulted from human error at the Goodwill location, it added. Furthermore, Dell noted that immediate actions will be taken to ensure that such incidents do not occur again.