Intercon Solutions

Close-up of Intercon Solutions' sign touting their Certifications. 2014. Copyright BAN.

Shipping container eventually tracked to China on the property of Intercon Solutions. Photograph: © BAN 2009

Summary

Intercon Solutions, an electronics recycler based in Illinois, was found in 2011 by BAN investigators to be engaged in exporting electronic waste to Hong Kong right while they were seeking to become e-Stewards Certified. BAN notified the Hong Kong authorities and they confirmed the container photographed at Intercon’s facility and tracked to Asia was indeed contraband. Such exportation is a critical non-conformity of the e-Stewards Standard. After BAN made the news public and denied Intercon access to the e-Steward Certification program, the company sued BAN for defamation. After a lengthy legal battle, on October 9 of 2015, Intercon's case was dismissed with prejudice, and BAN was able to publicly release evidence received in large part from whistleblowers and collected in preparation for the expected court trial. The new evidence reveals that Intercon was a massive exporter of electronic waste. Such exportation was likely a violation of international, Chinese and US law.

Evidence & Supporting Documents

• Intercon Solutions: A Record of Deception and Dumping

Full summary of Intercon case and related evidence.

Supporting documents:

Annex A - Whistleblower Documents Linking Intercon Containers to Export to Asia

Annex B - Additional Documents Linking Intercon Containers to Export to Asia

Annex C - Highlighted Excerpts of Intercon Solutions Approved Applications for Public Funding

Annex D - Screenshots of No Export Language on Intercon Solutions’ Website

• Spreadsheet of over 200 Intercon shipping containers. ....(note: Excel version available upon request - email inform@ban.org)

• Intercon Grant Review

Summarizes Intercon Solution’s Publicly Funded Grants Awarded for Domestic Recycling between 2004 & 2009.

• Evidentiary Report of Potential e-Stewards® Violation

Highlighting cases of improper export, presented to Intercon in July 2012.

• Dismissal of Intercon Lawsuit with Prejudice - October 9, 2015

• Brian Brundage Indictment

Brundage Indictment

Chronology

• Intercon Solutions Detailed Chronology of Events

Press Coverage

Basel Action Network Press Releases

• "Toxic E-Waste Exports by Chicago Electronics Recycler Uncovered" - July 5, 2011
• "E-cycler Intercon Accused of China Shipments Takes Legal Action" - July 7, 2011
• "Intercon Case Shows Arbitration Need" - July 8, 2011
• "BAN answers questions raised regarding Intercon Solutions hazardous waste exportation to developing countries and e-Stewards® Certification denial" - July 14, 2011
• "BAN Denies Defamation Allegations, Launches Countersuit Against Intercon Solutions" - September 4, 2012
• "Major US Newspapers, TV, Radio Organizations File Brief in Support of Basel Action Network" - January 12, 2014
  • Supporting Major Media Amicus Brief Document

Intercon Solutions office area

• "E-waste Recycler Lawsuit Against Environmental Group Dismissed" - October 22, 2015
• "Owner of Prominent Chicago Electronics Recycler "Intercon Solutions" Arrested for Fraud by Federal Agents" - December 20, 2016

E-Scrap News Articles

• "Certification audit exposes exporter" - July 5, 2011
• "More questions than answers in certification fallout" - July 15, 2011
• "Court ruling favors Intercon Solutions" - July 21, 2011
• "Intercon Solutions appeals to R2, BAN" - July 29, 2011
• "Intercon Solutions says containers cleared by Chinese inspection" - August 5, 2011
• "Hong Kong confirms hazardous material in container" - August 25, 2011
• "Intercon Solutions files suit against BAN" - June 29, 2012
• "Intercon relisted as R2 certified" - July 5, 2012
• "BAN responds to Intercon legal filing" - July 12, 2012
• "BAN countersues Intercon Solutions" - Sept 5, 2012
• "Intercon and BAN defamation battle rolls forward" - Sept 5, 2013
• "Basel Action Network gains media support in legal battle" - Jan 17, 2014
• "Intercon suit against BAN moves forward" - July 9, 2015

Other Media Coverage

• "AAN Fights to Defend Anti-SLAPP Laws" - AAN News - January 13, 2014
• "Environmental Advocates Accuses Recycler In Chicago of Illegal E-Waste Export to Asia" - Bloomberg News - October 26, 2015