In part 1, the goals of this social design experiment was established. The goal was for processors (e.g. Recyclers, Refurbishers, ITAD, Resellers) to become more aware of what is at stake in the recycling industry. To be given space and the tools needed to take ownership of their existing situations. This entails taking ownership.

Creates Ownership:

Design thinking purports to be a human-centered approach to innovation that aims to bring together what is desirable from a human point of view, with what is technologically feasible and economically viable. SERI has taken this approach by creating an environment and providing innovative tools that enable the participants to govern their own domain.

SERI had financed the use of Greenlyfocus's (GF) green tracking services as a visibility tool for processors to monitor their electronic-waste (e-waste) flows. This tool will give the processor quantitative information to assist in making more informed decisions about where their sensitive assets are being processed downstream. Since all participants will be using the same platform, the idea is that they will begin to communicate and share experiences, issues and solutions as they begin to get results from the deployment of the trackers.

For example, let’s say a Tier-1 processor is putting a GF tracker on to the focus material of a Cathode Ray Tube Television (CRT) that it collects but doesn’t recycle directly. So Tier-1 sends the device downstream to its Tier-2 recycler partner for further processing. Tier-2 processes only the power supply. So it extracts the power supply, and sends the focus materials downstream to Tier-3 without tampering with the tracker. Now the Tier-3 recycling partner receives the focus materials of the CRT. Tier-3 usually processes this material but for some reason it doesn’t. In fact, Tier-1 notices from the Greenlyfocus reports that the asset ended up illegally in a developing country. What should Tier-1 do? Now that Tier-1 is part of a coalition of responsible recyclers sponsored by SERI, they have a few options.

Option 1: Armed with the Greenlyfocus services, they can send out a few more trackers to quantitatively confirm the e-waste flow in question. Then possibly ask Tier-2 about it. Since both companies use Tier-3’s services, they both can send trackers downstream to Tier-3 to see what happens to their focus material. If they both see that Tier-3 is sending their materials to unauthorized locations for processing instead of what was outlined in their R2 certified flowcharts, they can both arrange a meeting with Tier-3 to show them the quantitative evidence and hear Tier-3’s explanation of the issue. If Tier-3 admits the deviation and corrects the issue, then the matter is solved. No further action needs to be taken.

Option 2: However, if Tier-3 doesn’t want to discuss the matter with the two witnesses, then tier 1 and 2 recyclers may need to escalate the issue to the internal social design recycling coalition/committee that was established to have a more formal discussion. If Tier-3 admits to the deviation at this level, then maybe a recycler agreed upon penalty may be given. (We will discuss further in part 3)

Option 3:If the discussion escalates to this level, and Tier-3 fails to take ownership and negotiations break down, then unfortunately, further steps with the certification body must be taken to preserve the reputation of the whole industry. However NOT until options 1 and 2 have been attempted. In this way, SERI, with it's guidance, has made space for those it serves, giving them room to adapt and interpret the design process and shape their own outcomes.

In part three we will explore option 2 further. Option 2 uncovers the third principle of the social design process - building relative power within the group.