Environmental Stewardship

Telect is committed to responsible corporate citizenship, and nowhere is that more crucial than in how we respect our environment. Key initiatives to reduce waste, reuse materials, and generally minimize our impact on the environment are a part of everyday life at Telect. These efforts are built into the way we engineer products and deliver services, as well as how our employees approach their work.

Product Design
Telect engineers environmental considerations into every step of the product development process, from materials selection to packaging and delivery methodologies. Telect is committed to eliminating banned substances and reducing other materials of concern from our products while maintaining a watchful eye on quality, reliability and product performance.

Responsible Packaging
At Telect, our first priority is to protect the products we ship to customers. Within this framework, however, we strive to minimize the amount of materials used with every item we deliver. Non-dyed, recyclable cardboard is the primary packaging material, and whenever possible, cardboard is used within the box to provide further protection. Telect is committed to innovation in packaging materials to further reduce product cost.

Supplier Responsibilities
Telect maintains high standards in its relationships with suppliers. By encouraging suppliers to be environmentally responsible, to meet the standards of RoHS directives, and to generally adhere to high standards of corporate citizenship, Telect can continue to have a positive influence on the environment in the communities where we do business.

Global Policies
Restriction of Hazardous Subtances (RoHS)
Due to global environmental concerns, the need for lead-free solutions in electronic components and systems is receiving increasing attention. RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) is expected to be the first of many environmental directives to be issued that will have a profound effect on global trade.

This initial directive took effect on July 1, 2006 and bans cadmium, hexavalent chromium, lead, mercury, PBBs (polybrominated biphenyls), and PBBEs (polybrominated biphenyl ethers) from electrical and electronic products and their component parts offered for sale into the European Union. China has enacted similar legislation on restriction of hazardous substances, which took effect on March 1, 2007.

Telect has a strong history of compliance with both US and international environmental requirements. We have collaborated with both industry peers and suppliers and have put a dedicated project team together that is engaged to ensure the performance and reliability of all products are consistent with both Telect standards and environmental requirements. Through this effort, Telect has achieved compliance to both the European RoHS directive (5 of 6, effective July 1, 2006), and the Chinese RoHS directive (effective March 1, 2007).

Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE)
Directive 2002/96/EC (WEEE) addresses the problem of product recycling and requires products to be labeled to identify participation in the program. To comply with the WEEE directive, Telect has incorporated use of the EU-approved "double-crossed wheelie bin" symbol, affixed to Telect products when delivered into all European countries.

As Telect continues with further compliance efforts for the WEEE directive, we will seek to identify and establish relationships with designated collection facilities (DCF's) for a product takeback program, along with authorized treatment facilities (ATF's) to process WEEE and provide evidence to producers on the amount of WEEE received for treatment.

Energy Efficiency
Increasing the efficiency of facilities simply makes sense. Telect continually strives to reduce the amount of energy used in its facilities through efforts such as consolidating the location of employees and utilizing equipment efficiently.

Waste Reduction and Recycling
Telect adheres to strict standards for recycling all viable materials in each of its facilities worldwide. Recycling programs for cardboard, printed circuit boards (PCBs) and sheet metal, to name a few items, all follow specific guidelines to ensure that materials are reused whenever possible.

Hazardous Materials Management
Telect's facilities staff works to ensure safe and proper management of hazardous materials and waste, including their handling, disposal, storage, and shipment. Key initiatives in place also help to ensure compliance with company and legal requirements for the management of hazardous waste and materials.

Commute Trip Reduction
Telect actively encourages commute trip reduction with its employees by helping to establish carpool programs, participating in community-wide efforts to encourage alternative transportation, and by enabling employees to telecommute or otherwise develop flexible work schedules. As with all environment-related efforts, every little bit helps.