How to choose an How to choose an Electronics Recycling Electronics Recycling CompanyCompanyTips for local governments and small businessesTips for local governments and small businesses

Electronic Electronic RecyclersRecyclers

Brokering (matching buyers Brokering (matching buyers and sellers)and sellers)

Resale of whole units (selling of Resale of whole units (selling of whole units)whole units)

Remanufacturing (refurbishing Remanufacturing (refurbishing equipment)equipment)

DeDe--manufacturing manufacturing (disassembling into parts and (disassembling into parts and subassemblies)subassemblies)

Material recovery (physical Material recovery (physical separation to capture plastics, separation to capture plastics, metals, glass, etc.)metals, glass, etc.)

Material processing (shredding Material processing (shredding and grinding)and grinding)

Donation (school systems, nonDonation (school systems, non--profit organizations, etc.) profit organizations, etc.)

use a wide use a wide variety of variety of

methods to methods to process process

electronic electronic waste.waste.

Ask potential Ask potential Electronic Electronic Recyclers,Recyclers,

Most reuse markets are Most reuse markets are exportexport

Large forLarge for--profit and nonprofit and non--profit markets are in profit markets are in developing countriesdeveloping countries

Many recycling markets are Many recycling markets are export export

Strong foreign demand for Strong foreign demand for raw materials, much raw materials, much manufacturing is outside the manufacturing is outside the U.S.U.S.The U.S. has few The U.S. has few copper/precious metal copper/precious metal smelters for this materialsmelters for this materialMost CRT glass furnaces are Most CRT glass furnaces are located off shorelocated off shorePlastic recycling markets are Plastic recycling markets are almost all overseasalmost all overseas

““where will where will the recovered the recovered material go?material go?””

Regulations for Electronic Regulations for Electronic WasteWaste

Generally, most eGenerally, most e--scrap in the US isscrap in the US isNonNon--hazardous (especially if responsibly recycled)hazardous (especially if responsibly recycled)NonNon--waste if recycledwaste if recycled

Some electronics can be classified as hazardous wasteSome electronics can be classified as hazardous wasteColor cathode ray tubes (CRTs) consistently fail toxicity Color cathode ray tubes (CRTs) consistently fail toxicity testing (TCLP) for leadtesting (TCLP) for leadOther materials of concern include mercury lamps and Other materials of concern include mercury lamps and switches.switches.

Several hazardous waste exemptions and exclusions Several hazardous waste exemptions and exclusions apply to encourage reuse and recyclingapply to encourage reuse and recycling

The Cathode Ray Tube RuleThe Cathode Ray Tube RuleExemption for whole and shredded circuit boards Exemption for whole and shredded circuit boards

Regulations for Electronic Regulations for Electronic WasteWaste

Cathode Ray TubesCathode Ray TubesExemption from federal hazardous waste Exemption from federal hazardous waste management standards when tubes are destined for management standards when tubes are destined for recycling or reuse and the rule is followedrecycling or reuse and the rule is followedNotification and consent requirements for CRT Notification and consent requirements for CRT exportsexports

Notification for reuseNotification for reuseNotification and consent of receiving country for Notification and consent of receiving country for recyclingrecyclingNotifications posted on the EPA rule websiteNotifications posted on the EPA rule website

If going to disposal, regular regulations applyIf going to disposal, regular regulations applyIncludes storage and management requirementsIncludes storage and management requirements

Regulations Regulations for Electronic for Electronic

WasteWasteMore info about the More info about the

regulations for Electronic regulations for Electronic waste can be found on the waste can be found on the

EPA website atEPA website at

http://www.epa.gov/osw/ihttp://www.epa.gov/osw/inforesources/pubs/orientat/nforesources/pubs/orientat/

CRT Rule WebsiteCRT Rule Website

http://www.epa.gov/osw/hhttp://www.epa.gov/osw/hazard/recycling/electron/indazard/recycling/electron/ind

ex.htmex.htm

NY State Regulations for NY State Regulations for Electronic Scrap RecyclersElectronic Scrap Recyclers

Requirements include:Requirements include:C7 notificationC7 notificationWritten notification for collection eventsWritten notification for collection eventsOperation & safety plan for collection eventsOperation & safety plan for collection events

Best Management PracticesBest Management PracticesComprehensive environmental management plansComprehensive environmental management plansStorm water pollution planStorm water pollution planClosure PlanClosure Plan

Electronic Data SecurityElectronic Data Security

Data security may fall into many areasData security may fall into many areasMedical Records, Financial Records, Confidential Business InformMedical Records, Financial Records, Confidential Business InformationationUnderstand the information and the risksUnderstand the information and the risks

Data security can be managed in many waysData security can be managed in many waysDrive wipingDrive wipingDegaussingDegaussingPhysical DestructionPhysical Destruction

Things to rememberThings to rememberThe paper in the printersThe paper in the printersHandheld Devices, Cell Phones, PDAs, CDs left in drivesHandheld Devices, Cell Phones, PDAs, CDs left in drivesThe memory in photocopiers and fax machinesThe memory in photocopiers and fax machines

Many of these are easy enough and possible to handle inMany of these are easy enough and possible to handle in--househouse

Electronic Electronic Data SecurityData SecurityNational Institute for National Institute for

Standards and Standards and Technology Special Technology Special Publication 800Publication 800--88, 88,

Guidelines for Media Guidelines for Media Sanitization:Sanitization:

http://csrc.nist.gov/publicatihttp://csrc.nist.gov/publications/PubsSPs.htmlons/PubsSPs.html

Recycler Recycler Performance Performance

StandardsStandards

Responsible Recycler Responsible Recycler Program (R2) Program (R2)

Developed by groups of Developed by groups of OEMs, recyclers, OEMs, recyclers, governments and governments and environmental groupsenvironmental groupsSpecific to the electronics Specific to the electronics recycling industryrecycling industryHas several focus materials Has several focus materials that are importantthat are important

Lead, Mercury, Batteries, Lead, Mercury, Batteries, PCBsPCBsIncludes worker health Includes worker health and safety, site and safety, site management and closuremanagement and closureDomestic and foreign Domestic and foreign downstream due diligencedownstream due diligence

Third party audited Third party audited

More information More information about the R2 about the R2

Program can be Program can be found at the EPA found at the EPA

website atwebsite athttp://www.epa.gov/waste/http://www.epa.gov/waste/conserve/materials/ecyclingconserve/materials/ecycling

/r2practices.htm/r2practices.htm

Recycler Recycler Performance Performance

StandardsStandards

ISO 14000 is a ISO 14000 is a series of standardsseries of standards, , and guideline reference and guideline reference documents, which cover the documents, which cover the following:following:

Environmental Management Environmental Management Systems Systems

Environmental Auditing Environmental Auditing

Eco Labeling Eco Labeling

Life Cycle Assessment Life Cycle Assessment

Environmental Aspects in Environmental Aspects in Product Standards Product Standards

Environmental Performance Environmental Performance Evaluation Evaluation

More More information information

about the ISO about the ISO 14001 at the ISO 14001 at the ISO

websitewebsitehttp://www.iso.org/iso/iso_http://www.iso.org/iso/iso_

14000_essentials14000_essentials

Recycler Recycler Performance Performance

StandardsStandards

EE--StewardsStewardsIncorporates the ISO Incorporates the ISO 14001 for environment, 14001 for environment, the ISO 18001 for heath the ISO 18001 for heath and safety, and the SA and safety, and the SA 8000 for social 8000 for social accountabilityaccountabilityHas specific electronics Has specific electronics industry performance industry performance requirementsrequirementsDeveloped by the Basil Developed by the Basil Action Network Action Network

More information More information about the about the

EE--Stewards Stewards program can be program can be found at their found at their

websitewebsitehttp://www.ehttp://www.e--stewards.orgstewards.org

Recycler Performance Recycler Performance StandardsStandards

Certification to standards can be expensive, some Certification to standards can be expensive, some recyclers may follow a standard but not have the recyclers may follow a standard but not have the certificationcertification

Currently, there is no, one industry standard to Currently, there is no, one industry standard to followfollow

Recyclers can provide services without having any Recyclers can provide services without having any certificationscertifications

Approved Electronic Approved Electronic RecyclersRecyclers

U.S. EPA ApprovedU.S. EPA ApprovedThe U.S. EPA does not approve recyclers for their practices The U.S. EPA does not approve recyclers for their practices An EPA ID number is not an approval of a recyclers An EPA ID number is not an approval of a recyclers practicespractices

State ApprovalState ApprovalNY State does not issue approvalNY State does not issue approvalC7 is a regulation, not a certificationC7 is a regulation, not a certification

Certificates of RecyclingCertificates of RecyclingThis is not a formal documentThis is not a formal documentDoes not absolve the client or recycler of environmental Does not absolve the client or recycler of environmental liabilities in the event of mismanagement liabilities in the event of mismanagement

Identifying Identifying your needsyour needs

Data SecurityData Security

Where does the material Where does the material end upend up

Requirements on reuse or Requirements on reuse or resaleresale

Logistics and supportLogistics and supportPackingPackingShippingShipping

BudgetBudget

and and prioritizing prioritizing those needs, those needs, are crucial to are crucial to choosing an choosing an electronics electronics recycler.recycler.

Learn what recyclers can Learn what recyclers can provideprovide

Are reuse, refurbishment, and recycling techniques Are reuse, refurbishment, and recycling techniques used to the fullest extent possible?used to the fullest extent possible?

Are incineration and land disposal minimized?Are incineration and land disposal minimized?

Are legal requirements pertaining to transport, Are legal requirements pertaining to transport, processing, and management complied with?processing, and management complied with?

If exporting, are all US and importing countries If exporting, are all US and importing countries requirements complied with?requirements complied with?

Is attention paid to materials of concern?Is attention paid to materials of concern?

Learn what recyclers can Learn what recyclers can provideprovide

For materials that will be reused or refurbished:For materials that will be reused or refurbished:Are materials screened for legitimate reuse?Are materials screened for legitimate reuse?

For materials that will be recycled:For materials that will be recycled:Do business records demonstrate downstream processing?Do business records demonstrate downstream processing?Are facilities permitted and have an environmental Are facilities permitted and have an environmental management system?management system?

For the facility and others they useFor the facility and others they useIs there a facility plan for occupational and environmental Is there a facility plan for occupational and environmental health and safety? health and safety? Is there an emergency release plan?Is there an emergency release plan?Do they track key parameters, such as input/out put and Do they track key parameters, such as input/out put and releases?releases?Is there an adequate plan for closure?Is there an adequate plan for closure?

Learn what Learn what recyclers can recyclers can

provideprovideEPAEPA’’s Plugs Plug--in to eCycling in to eCycling

GuidelinesGuidelines

Membership in EPAMembership in EPA’’s Waste s Waste Wise ProgramWise Program

Collaboration with EPeatCollaboration with EPeat

Membership in ISRI or other Membership in ISRI or other industry organizations.industry organizations.

Onsite VisitOnsite Visit

Things to look for:Things to look for:How are materials being handled?How are materials being handled?To what degree are materials being processed on site?To what degree are materials being processed on site?What are the general working conditions?What are the general working conditions?What is the appearance of the warehouse?What is the appearance of the warehouse?

Things to ask forThings to ask forDown stream vendor records.Down stream vendor records.Notifications / Citations from OSHA, NY DEC, EPA and Notifications / Citations from OSHA, NY DEC, EPA and the Local Fire Marshall.the Local Fire Marshall.Awards / Letters of support.Awards / Letters of support.A conversation with a few warehouse employees .A conversation with a few warehouse employees .

Selecting Your RecyclerSelecting Your Recycler

Select the recyclerSelect the recyclerCompare recycler reviewsCompare recycler reviewsCompare service providedCompare service providedPrice, remember free is not always the best valuePrice, remember free is not always the best valueEvaluate their environmental impact (it will reflect yours)Evaluate their environmental impact (it will reflect yours)Other factorsOther factors

Setup your contractSetup your contractSpecify ServicesSpecify ServicesAsk about any cost offsets from reuseAsk about any cost offsets from reuse

Monitor for performanceMonitor for performance

http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=4586903nhttp://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=4586903n

Q&AQ&AQuestions?Questions?