How to select recycling partners for scrap cables and wires

Selecting recycling partners for scrap cables and wires requires careful technical analysis to ensure environmental compliance and operational safety. This article covers legal, logistical and technical criteria, backed up by official standards and current legislation, which are fundamental to making the right choice.

Understand Applicable Legislation

The handling and recycling of scrap cables and wires must follow the National Solid Waste Policy (Law No. 12.305/2010) available at planalto.gov.br. This law determines that recycling must be carried out in an environmentally appropriate manner, with shared responsibility between producers, importers, traders, consumers and holders of public urban cleaning and solid waste management services. In addition, the National Solid Waste Management Information System (SINIR), regulated by CONAMA Resolution 446/2012 (accessible at sinir.gov.br), offers guidelines and data for monitoring and managing waste, which is essential for controlling recycling processes.

Criteria for Selecting Partners

Environmental Licensing: The partner must have valid environmental licenses issued by the competent bodies, such as CETESB in São Paulo (cetesb.sp.gov.br), ensuring compliance and safe operation.

Technical and Structural Capacity: Assess whether the unit has adequate infrastructure for the effective processing of scrap cables and wires, including the segregation, shredding and decontamination of materials, minimizing environmental impacts.

Responsibility and Transparency: Check that there are periodic reports on the destination of recycled materials, ensuring traceability and compliance with current legislation. This practice provides security regarding the final destination of the waste, reducing legal risks.

Logistical and Contractual Aspects

Analyze the partner's logistical capacity to collect and transport the scrap efficiently, minimizing costs and environmental impacts. It is advisable to sign clear contracts, respecting the specifications of the National Solid Waste Policy, including environmental compliance and auditing clauses.

Information Security in the Handling of Components

When dealing with scrap related to cables and wires from electronic equipment that may contain data, it is essential to ensure the safe sanitization of media. This procedure prevents information leaks, according to guidelines from NIST (National Institute of Standards and Technology) and related Brazilian technical standards.

Final Recommendations

To ensure proper practice, prioritize partners that adopt certified processes and are in line with best environmental and legislative practices. For a specialized collection process, use authorized e-waste collection services, which contribute to integrated waste management and avoid improper disposal in the environment.

Thus, choosing partners that are in line with current regulations and are able to guarantee operational and environmental safety is crucial for the sustainability and compliance of cable and wire scrap recycling.