Managing the Disposal of Recalled Products

By Mike Rozembajgier

Every couple of months, we hear about a recall that makes consumers and the media take a step back and ask whose responsibility it is to keep people safe and whether the company involved and the regulators responsible for oversight are doing a good job. Then there is always the question of what happens to recalled products after they are pulled from the shelves. The recall process can be long and complicated, and it only ends after all the recalled products have been disposed of, a critical element of effective recall management.

I recently spoke with MainStreet.com about what happens to recalled products, a question inspired by Cargill’s recent recall of ground turkey products. The answer is pretty straightforward for Cargill. They can simply dispose of the recalled meat in landfills. But the disposal process can be more complicated for other manufacturers.

Whenever recalled products need to be destroyed, the federal agency monitoring the recall will authorize a method of destruction, usually incineration or disposal in the trash. But we are now seeing companies getting permission to incorporate sustainable business practices into their disposal. In these cases, a recalled product may contain components that can be recycled or materials that must be handled in accordance with strict regulations. While the effort to go green is commendable, it usually requires each recalled unit to be carefully sorted and broken down to its simplest pieces before disposal.

In the end, the ultimate goals of product destruction and recall management remain the same: protect the public, protect the brand, protect the environment, and close out the recall as soon as possible. This means getting the product out of the marketplace with no chance of it slipping back into commerce.

Whether you have just announced a recall or you are in the final stages of destruction, there are four key stakeholders you must always consider: customers, your regulatory agency, your own internal team, and the broader public. Each will make a judgment about whether your recall was successful, and it is critical to consider their needs and expectations in your recall planning and execution.

Stericycle ExpertRECALL™ is the industry leader in recall logistics and regulatory compliance for consumer product, pharmaceutical, medical device, juvenile product, and food and beverage recalls. ExpertRECALL’s professionals are experts in recall management who can help you streamline the entire product recall process.