Vision Online - Summer 2007

	Home
	Global Worming DENSO Manufacturing Mexico takes a unique approach to preserving the environment — worms.
	Business Hard work pays off Line crews blaze trail for production improvements
	Technology DENSO's hybrid products and timeline
	Environmental Battle Creek makes tracks with environmental performance One man’s trash is another man’s treasure
	Counterparts DENSO Manufacturing Canada experiences a hat trick Two million and counting DMTN recognized for excellence

One man’s trash is another man’s treasure

As more and more people upgrade home electronic equipment, disposing of their outdated components has become a serious environmental concern.

To help short circuit this problem, six DENSO sites in North America organized an electronics recycling day for associates to bring in unwanted electronic equipment and other household goods that otherwise would end up in a landfill.

Associates dusted off old home computers, TVs, stereo equipment, and DVD players, and brought them to their DENSO locations where Goodwill Association chapters collected the goods as donations. Around North America, the six DENSO sites collected more than 21,000 pounds of equipment.

According to Gary Godin, senior environmental engineer in DENSO International America’s (DIAM) Environmental Safety and Health Department, computer and TV monitors contain lead, and electronic components may contain chromium, cadmium, and mercury, as well as lead.

“Currently, there are no laws restricting the disposal of these household electronics with other general waste,” explained Godin. “So once this stuff gets into a landfill, it becomes a serious threat to the environment.”

Goodwill Association, in partnership with Dell, accepts consumers’ unwanted computer and electronic equipment and ensures that it is recycled responsibly.

Goodwill sorts, tests, and refurbishes recovered equipment, while a Dell-approved “Environmental Partner” evaluates equipment for resale value and material recycling and reuse.

Proceeds from equipment recovery go back to the Goodwill Association to support its community programs.

“Our partnership with Dell helps us ensure environmentally sound practices for unwanted computer equipment, while creating job opportunities for the individuals we serve,” said Susanne Fredericks, executive director of the Goodwill Association of Michigan.

The Goodwill Association provides job and training services for those with disabilities and other barriers to employment.

In addition to DIAM, these companies held electronics recycling days:

DENSO Manufacturing Michigan
ASMO Manufacturing
Michigan Automotive Compressor
DENSO Wireless America
DENSO Manufacturing Athens Tennessee

And the hand off is good
Dan Kosmowski, DENSO International America (DIAM) Quality Engineering, hands off an outdated printer to a Goodwill Association representative during DIAM’s electronics recycling day.
Six DENSO sites in North America organized electronics recycling days for associates to bring in old electronic equipment and other household goods that eventually would have ended up in a landfill. Goodwill Association, in partnership with Dell, collected the equipment and will ensure that it is recycled responsibly.

Photography by Philip Dattilo