Poly and the Enviroment

In order to provide a Takeback network service, Poly has partnered with AER Worldwide and RENE AG (Europe), who are specialists with "end of life" electronic products (i.e. e-waste / WEEE). This enables us to offer customers in all our major markets access to a worldwide network, and the capability to "recycle or refurbish and reuse" our products, diverting from landfill and reducing our environmental impacts. Both our partners use facilities that adhere to the international environmental standard ISO 14001 ensuring returned products are disposed of in an environmentally safe manner.

To help meet requirements of your Environmental Management System (EMS), Poly offers to provide a Certificate of Destruction (COD) to customers upon request to certify that your end of life products have been managed responsibly and in accordance with local legislation.

Poly provides a free recycling service for Polycom/Plantronics-branded products in all major markets where our products are sold. This provides our customers with the option to ensure that end of life products are managed in an environmentally responsible way and recycling is carried out at approved facilities in accordance with ISO14001 requirements.

Recycling is free, however, in some countries customers will be required to take responsibility for shipment of end of life products to a designated collection facility. Customers are free to make their own transport arrangements or to use Poly’s services. This can be discussed when making a Takeback request.

In 2004 the European Union issued—and then in 2008 strengthened—directives on the collection and recycling of Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE). Poly has sought to fully comply with or exceed environmental protection requirements placed on its electronic products. Our response to the EU WEEE Directive is part of our overall corporate social responsibility initiative.

The recast WEEE EU Directive 2012/19/EU enters into force in August 2012 and all member states are required to implement the changes by February 2014. The main focus is on "recycling / reuse targets", which by 2016 will rise to 45% collection rates for Recycling and Reuse for B2C and B2B EEE sales, then up to 65% by 2018. The new Directive encourages the whole of the supply chain to comply and improve their environmental performance to achieve the new targets. An increase in penalties for non-conformance was also agreed.

It is a requirement of the EU WEEE Directive that instructions on the safe disassembly of products is made available to registered agencies responsible for the disassembly and recycling of Poly’s products. Please contact TakeBack@poly.com if you have questions or would like additional information.

Poly (Polycom and/or Plantronics) is registered as a manufacturer / producer across the globe. For more registration and local recycling scheme information, please contact environment@poly.com.

All Poly products or batteries that fall within the scope of the EU WEEE and Battery Directives carry the crossed wheelie bin symbol which advises customers not to dispose of marked products in the municipal waste stream but to recycle them safely as e-waste.

The batteries supplied by Poly in its products and as replacement parts meet the marking and heavy metal content requirements of the EU Battery Directive. More information on how Poly meets the requirements of the Battery Directive along with safe handling information are provided below.

1. Battery Guidance: Poly takes great care in the selection of its Lithium ion and Nickel Metal Hydride batteries and where used, these have been designed specifically for use in specific Poly products. Only Poly replacement batteries should be used. Replacement batteries can be ordered by your supplier. Detailed instructions on the safe replacement of batteries are provided in the user guide for your product.
   
   Some Poly products are supplied with commonly available alkaline batteries such as AA or AAA types. Where this is the case and replacement is due, they should be replaced as a complete set with new, quality batteries of the correct size and rating. Please observe the polarity of the batteries during installation taking care not to short circuit them. Batteries should be treated and used in accordance with the battery manufacturer's guidance.
   
   
2. Toxic Substances: The batteries supplied by Poly in its products and as replacement parts meet the marking and heavy metal content requirements of the EU Battery Directive. Where batteries include lead, mercury or cadmium, the levels of these substances are very low and fall below the thresholds that exist in all markets into which they are supplied. Lead acid batteries supplied with certain Poly products carry the Pb symbol indicating presence of lead above the thresholds described above.
   
   
3. Battery Disposal: When a battery has reached the end of its working life, carefully remove it from the product as instructed in the user guide. The battery should be taken to a collection point where it can be recycled or disposed of in an environmentally friendly manner. Do not dispose of the battery in a fire or in unsorted municipal waste. 

Please contact TypeApproval@poly.com if you have questions or would like additional information.