Transcript Policy Webinar Series: User Services

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:
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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:
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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
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Arkansas
California
Connecticut
Hawaii
Illinois
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Missouri
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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 mercurycontaining 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 endof-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, lowincome 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 ewaste 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
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It is critical for organizations to determine their policies and procedures for
disposing of electronic equipment.
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Collection policies
– Weed items that will lead to significant waste disposal – may be a cost
involved if you do not turn down unusable equipment
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Assignment of Responsibility
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Determination of usability
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Storage
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End-of-life Disposal
– State regulations on disposal
– Profit from parts?
– Donating/shipping overseas (BAN Amendment)
– Downstream Recyclers
E-Waste Policies & Procedures
(con’t)
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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