We like to broadcast what we learn, usually via our blog.
We support Fair Trade development of reuse and repair jobs overseas, brakes on federal raw material (mining) subsidies, job creation, and a bridge across the digital divide.
We are promoting higher recycling standards, keeping toxics out of New England landfills and incinerators, and promoting women’s rights in developing countries.
When you pay $5-20 to recycle a small appliance or huge TV, you are not only supporting a sustainable recycling economy in the Northeast.
Mining Reform
Good Point has been on the front lines of bringing the message of raw materials subsidies to the recycling advocacy groups (currently distracted by Product Stewardship). The General Mining Act of 1872 sets an unfair playing field for recyclers! If the subsidies for the virgin material are phased down, investments in recycled material will increase dramatically. Hard rock metal mining creates 45% of all toxics released by all industry! Around the world, mining and smelting pollution is far worse than recycling pollution. See our Mining Factsheet.
Recycled Gold Certification
Good Point promotes “recycled gold from circuit boards”. Countries which have the highest gold demand per capita generally have the worst women’s rights standards (if women cannot inherit land, and love your daughter, you give her gold). To learn more, read this article about our recycled gold summit in Arkansas .
Fair Trade Export Standards
Revenues from Good Point Recycling provide major support to WR3A (World Reuse, Repair and Recycling Association, dba Fair Trade Recycling). WR3A promotes ethical export standards, and novel projects like “Ewaste Offsets” in emerging markets. We don’t want developing countries to turn to mining for raw materials (which they use to make “stuff” for us). View this film on YouTube to learn more, sponsored by a grant from Consumer Electronics Association in 2008.
World Internet Access
The developing world is starving for internet access. Used, reused, and repaired electronics created the “critical mass of users” without whom no investment in cell phone towers, internet cables, satellites or TV stations could have been made. Extending the useful life of materials that were mined and smelted at great cost is the most sustainable way to connect the world.
Universal Access to E-Waste Recycling Opportunities
Our common sense approach to electronics recycling created the most convenient access in the country. Rather than pursue complex ‘command and control’ solutions, we set up sustainable recycling collections everyplace in Vermont that collected white goods. The tonnage collected in Vermont per capita is now the highest in the USA!
Find Out More About Ethical Electronics Recycling
- WR3A – World Reuse, Repair and Recycling Association (Fair Trade Recycling)
- MERA – Malaysia Electronics Recycling Association
- WCE – World Computer Exchange
- StEP – Solving the E-Waste Problem
- NESDA – The National Electronics Service Dealers Association
- NRRA – Northeast Resource Recovery Association
- AVR – Association of Vermont Recyclers
- DEC – Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation