The company has been awarded an e-stewards enterprise designation by environmental non-profit group Basel Action Network (BAN).

Under the scheme, e-stewards Enterprises pledge to do their part to prevent hazardous materials in improperly managed end-of-life electronics from having adverse impacts on the environment.

This will see Lockheed Martin commit to using, when possible, e-Stewards certified electronics recyclers, which undergo an independent audit each year to guarantee they will not export hazardous electronic waste to developing countries, dump such waste into landfills, or use prisoners for managing it.

According to Lockheed Martin’s vice president of energy, environment, safety & health Carol Cala, the company is committed to sustainable business practices and using e-stewards certified recyclers will help further this ambition.

In 2002 and 2005, Seattle-based BAN documented the plight of electronic wastes being scrapped in highly polluting operations in China and Africa.

Maxine Perella

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