Archive for the ‘Michigan Regulations’ Category
EPA’s International Priorities – #6 (E-Waste)
August 24th, 2010 | 
Author: Cleaning Up E-Waste
The electronics that provide us with convenience often end up discarded in developing countries where improper disposal can threaten local people and the environment. EPA recognizes this urgent concern and will work with international partners to address the issues of E-waste. In the near-term, EPA will focus on ways to improve the design, production, handling, reuse, recycling, exporting and disposal of electronics.
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Michigan could create jobs with increased recycling
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Electronic Waste Takeback Program
On December 29, 2008, Part 173, Electronics, of the Natural Resource and Environmental Protection Act (NREPA), became effective and established a manufacturer electronic device takeback program promoting electronic waste recycling. The manufacturer electronic device takeback program applies to computers and T.V.s recycled by households and small businesses (those employing 10 employees or fewer). It requires all manufacturers selling new computers and televisions in Michigan to register with the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) and pay an annual registration fee of $3,000 by October 30, 2009. After April 1, 2010, all retailers, including internet, catalog, manufacturer direct, and in-state retailers, can only sell new computers and televisions manufactured by registered manufacturers.
The manufacturer registration required under Part 173 must include specific details on the manufacturer’s e-waste takeback program. The takeback program must be free and convenient for consumers. Manufacturers are required to establish and maintain a website and to otherwise inform consumers about how to recycle the covered equipment. Computer manufacturers are only required to take back devices they manufacture, whereas television manufacturers are required to take back all television brands, regardless of the manufacturer. Annually manufacturers must submit information on the total weight of the covered electronic devices collected by the takeback program, the processes and methods used to recycle or reuse the covered electronic devices, and the identity of any collector or recycler with whom the manufacturer contracts for the collection and recycling of covered electronic devices received from consumers.
Recyclers of covered electronic equipment must also register with the DEQ by October 30, 2009, and pay an annual fee of $2,000. Recyclers must certify that they are recycling in a manner that complies with federal and state laws, including rules promulgated by the DEQ, and local ordinances, and they must employ industry-accepted procedures for the destruction of data. Recyclers must maintain a documented environmental, health, and safety management system that may be audited and is compliant with or equivalent to ISO 14001. Recyclers must also annually report the total weight of covered electronic devices recycled during the previous year and maintain records identifying all persons to whom the recycler provided electronic devices or materials for further processing.
The DEQ is currently working on implementing the newly created law. Updated information and forms will be posted on this page as they become available.
Link:
http://www.michigan.gov/deq/0,1607,7-135-3585_4130_18096-208087–,00.html
Computer electronics recycling legislation
Thursday, December 18, 2008 at 1:37 p.m.
LANSING, MI. — The following is a message from the Michigan Senate:
The Michigan Senate today approved legislation that will establish a manufacturer-driven program to increase the recycling of consumer computer electronics without a charge on consumers. Both measures, sponsored by Sens. Patty Birkholz and Valde Garcia, were sent to the governor to be signed into law.
“E-waste recycling is an important program because it allows state residents to properly handle old computer equipment free of charge,” said Birkholz, R-Saugatuck Township. “By recycling these items, consumers can help reduce the amount of hazardous materials being placed in our landfills.”
Senate Bill 897, sponsored by Garcia, and SB 898, sponsored by Birkholz, will require manufacturers of consumer computer electronics to implement a take-back program for the free return of computers and video display devices that they produce. To participate, a manufacturer must first register with the state.
Part of the Senate Republican “Green Michigan Initiative,” the legislation will:
- Outline registration guidelines for manufacturers who opt to be in the program;
- Establish requirements for the electronics take-back program;
- Develop an Electronic Waste Advisory Council;
- Create the Electronics Waste Recycling Fund.
To read the entire article, please follow this link:
http://www.connectmidmichigan.com/news/news_story.aspx?id=237258
Electronics Reuse and Recycling
| Contact: Lucy Doroshko 517-373-1322 |
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Computers, cell phones, printers and other peripherals are part of the business and educational landscape of our society. We rely on them daily to communicate, educate and conduct business. What happens to these tools when we replace them with newer, faster models? Donating is becoming a common practice for extending the life of working electronics but eventually they will no longer be valuable as products. What do we do with these obsolete electronics as well as our broken televisions, radios, and stereos? DELETE THE DATA: Before donating or recycling your old computer or other electronic device, make sure that the data in it is completely deleted. Reformatting the hard drive or deleting files may not be enough. You need to completely destroy the data on your hard drive. The U.S. EPA has two fact sheets developed in 2006 that provide information about donating and a list of free software you can use to delete information from your computer. See “Do the PC Thing …” under “How to Donate” at http://www.epa.gov/epaoswer/osw/conserve/plugin/pcthing.htm IS IT HAZARDOUS? Many electronics contain hazardous materials such as lead in solder, cadmium in circuit boards and mercury in batteries. Most older computer display screens and televisions contain cathode ray tubes (CRT’s). CRT’s contain leaded glass to protect the user from the x-rays inside the tubes. Lead is a hazardous material that can cause environmental and health damage if not managed safely. Lead in CRT’s cause computers to be considered hazardous waste when disposed by regulated generators in Michigan. Residents are exempt from hazardous waste regulations. Regulated or not, Michigan residents are concerned that their old computer will end up in their local landfill or municipal solid waste incinerator with the potential of leaching or emitting lead and other heavy metals into the water or air. This has caused many communities in Michigan and around the country to hold electronic waste collection events where materials are gathered for shipment to recyclers who dismantle, sort and recycle the various glass, plastic and metal components. There is still much we do not know about what is actually hazardous in all of our electronic tools and toys. Click “back” to find information to help you manage your used electronics, whether you are a business generating regulated hazardous waste or a resident with a used computer or cell phone. Link: http://www.michigan.gov/deq/0,1607,7-135-3585_4130_18096-43363–,00.html |
