National Conference on Reuse: E-Waste & E-Recycling Jessica Brodey September 16, 2009.

National Conference on Reuse: E-Waste & E-Recycling

Jessica Brodey

September 16, 2009

Topics

• What is E-Waste?

• What are E-Waste Laws?

• Why does this matter?

• Develop E-Waste Policies and Procedures

E-Waste

• Informal name for electronic products at the end of their "useful life" that are discarded into our nation’s waste stream.

• May include:– computers – televisions – VCRs – Stereos– Copiers– fax machines – other common electronic products

E-Waste

• According to the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA), Americans own approximately 24 electronic products per household.

• Much e-waste may be refurbished or recycled• Instead most e-waste is discarded in landfills. • E-waste constitutes only two percent of the

municipal solid waste stream, but that percentage is increasing annually.

• In 2007, Americans disposed of approximately 2.5 million tons of e-waste.

E-Waste

• E-waste items may be dangerous to the environment when thrown into a landfill. – Lead (used in television and computer cathode ray

tubes and solder)– Mercury (used in bulbs to light flat panel monitors)– Flame retardants (used in plastic cases and cables)– Cadmium (used in ni-cad rechargeable batteries for

laptops and other portables)

• Cost to States and those managing landfills for disposing of e-waste is exorbitant.

E-Waste Laws• In response to the rapid increase of e-waste entering our nation’s

waste stream, many states enacted “E-Waste” laws. • Regulate the disposal of e-waste in landfills. • Most of these laws address TVs, computer monitors and laptop

computers with screens over 4 inches. • Different Approaches:

– Disposal bans– Fees for disposing of e-waste in landfills– Recycling fee to consumers at the point of sale– Apportion the costs for disposing of these items in landfills to the

manufacturers.

• The National Center for Electronics Recycling maintains a list of current E-Waste Laws on their website, along with a map identifying the different type of laws in effect in each state.

E-Waste Laws

Map of Current Electronics Recycling Laws in Effect. National Center for Electronics Recycling. October 14, 2008.

E-Waste Laws

• Arkansas• California• Connecticut• Hawaii• Illinois• Maine• Maryland• Massachusetts• Michigan• Minnesota• Missouri

• New Hampshire• New Jersey• New York• North Carolina• Oklahoma• Oregon• Rhode Island• Texas• Virginia• Washington• West Virginia

E-Waste Laws

• Federal Regulations– In August 2005, EPA finalized the mercury-

containing equipment component of the original proposed rule.

– In July 2006, EPA has also finalized a regulation governing the waste management requirements for Cathode Ray Tubes (CRTs) that was originally proposed in 2002.  The CRT rule became effective on 1/29/07.

E-Waste

• International Laws– The BAN Amendment to the Basel Convention prevents the

Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) Countries, the European Union and Lichtenstein from exporting e-waste to non-OECD countries.

• OECD countries include: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Korea, Luxembourg, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovak Republic, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, United Kingdom, United States.

Why does this matter?• There are many reasons that AT Reutilization Programs should care

about e-waste:– Social Responsibility. Reusing and recycling these materials from end-

of-life electronics conserves our natural resources and avoids air and water pollution, as well as greenhouse gas emissions that are caused by manufacturing new products.

– Support Community. Donating old electronics supports schools, low-income families, and non-profits by providing needed electronics, and dovetails with the mission of AT Reutilization Programs.

– Legal Responsibility. Many AT Reutilization programs dispose of e-waste during the course of their activities. It is important to abide by all existing State, Federal and International laws.

• Producer responsibility laws could pose a possible liability concern to AT Reutilization Programs.

• BAN Amendment to the Basel Convention

E-Waste Policies and Procedures

• It is critical for organizations to determine their policies and procedures for disposing of electronic equipment.

• Collection policies– Weed items that will lead to significant waste disposal – may be a cost involved

if you do not turn down unusable equipment

• Assignment of Responsibility

• Determination of usability

• Storage

• End-of-life Disposal– State regulations on disposal– Profit from parts?– Donating/shipping overseas (BAN Amendment)– Downstream Recyclers

E-Waste Policies & Procedures (con’t)

• Downstream providers.

– Identify a list of responsible recyclers.

– Check with a state agency that deals with recycling, such as the state Environmental Protection Agency, Department of Natural Resources, Department of Environmental Quality, or Department of Commerce.

– Contact Local municipality or solid waste district to learn if they have electronics collection programs or events

– Consumer Electronics Association, Electronic Industries Alliance, and Earth 911 web sites identify electronic equipment recyclers in many areas around the country.

– Certification programs for recyclers & EPA Guidelines

E-Waste Policies & Procedures (con’t)

– EPA recycling audit tools• End of Life Management page on the Federal Electronics Challenge

web site• Checklist for the Selection of Electronic Recycling Services (PDF).

Contact

Jessica Brodey

[email protected]

(301) 770-1127