Posts Tagged ‘electronic waste’
EPA Launches Campaign to Improve Electronics Recycling
August 12th, 2009 | 
Author: 1/13/2003
The Environmental Protection Agency has kicked off a campaign called Plug-In Recycling to encourage Americans to reuse or recycle used electronics.
In addition to the EPA, other groups involved in the partnership include Best Buy, AT&T Wireless, Sony, Panasonic, Dell, Sharp, Recycle America, Envirocycle Inc., and Nxtcycle. The goal of the program is to heighten the awareness of the value of reusing and recycling electronics, and to provide increased opportunities to reuse and recycling the materials throughout the country.
The program was announced Jan. 11.
“In the past decade, electronics have spurred economic growth and improved our lives in countless ways, but our growing reliance on electronics has given rise to a new environmental challenge: safe and thoughtful management of electronic waste,” said Marianne Lamont Horinko, EPA Assistant Administrator for Solid Waste and Emergency Response. “Reusing and recycling electronics is something Americans can do in their everyday lives to protect the environment, and this campaign will show them how.
“Many local governments, electronics manufacturers, retailers, recyclers, and non-profit organizations have established reuse and recycling programs for electronics,” Horinko added. “We want to get the word out about these opportunities and build momentum for even more reuse and recycling programs.”
The campaign is one of several new EPA efforts under the Agency’s Resource Conservation Challenge (RCC), which seeks to increase the national recycling rate from 30 to 35 percent and cut the generation of 30 harmful chemicals by 2005.
Under the RCC, EPA is working with electronics manufacturers, retailers, recyclers, and government agencies to reduce the environmental impacts of electronic products during their production, use, and disposal. The Agency will also establish partnerships and alliances with industry, states and environmental groups; provide training, tools and technology assistance for businesses, governments and citizen groups and get the word out through outreach and assistance to the general population, especially to youth and minority groups.
RCC efforts also include: EPA’s ENERGY STAR program, which encourages the manufacture and use of more energy efficient products; and the Office of the Federal Environmental Executive’s Federal Electronics Stewardship Challenge. This latter program will use the substantial buying power of the federal government to promote, among other things, the purchase of environmentally preferable electronic products.
Link:
Business, School, Agency, Institutions and Other Regulated Generators of Electronic Waste
| Agency: Environmental Quality |
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Non-residential generators of electronic waste must determine whether or not their waste is hazardous. They must also determine the amount of all hazardous waste they generate within one month. The U.S. EPA and the State of California have tested electronic products and many have failed the standard test for toxicity called the Toxicity Characteristics Leaching Procedure. Rather than sending waste to be tested, many generators find it more economical to manage their electronic waste as hazardous due to the lead, mercury, and other materials in them. In Michigan, the DEQ has promulgated rules allowing common electronic products containing circuit boards and cathode ray tubes (CRTs) (containing leaded glass) to be managed as universal waste. Universal waste is more easily recycled than hazardous waste.
Notification requirements: For businesses handling 11,000 pounds or more of electronics and all other universal waste, notify as a large quantity universal waste handler when handling 11,000 pounds or more and obtain a site identification number. Notifications may be done by applying online through MiTAPS or by mailing in the form EQP5150. There is a $50 application fee. To check if a site identification number has already been assigned to a collection site, go to the Waste Data System and select advanced search. It is recommended to search using the street number in the address field and zip code in the postal code field. If you need assistance looking up a number or filling out the application, call the Environmetnal Assistance Center at 800-662-9278. The following Michigan regulatory guidance documents contain specific information about electronic waste.
Managing electronic waste can be as simple as remembering the 3 Rs: Reduce, Reuse and Recycle … REDUCE Buying Environmentally Friendly IT equipment: The United States Environmental Protection Agency sponsored a new purchasing program for buying more environmentally friendly IT equipment. Called the Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool or EPEAT (www.epeat.net, “EPEAT is a procurement tool to help institutional purchasers in the public and private sectors evaluate, compare and select desktop computers, notebooks and monitors based on their environmental attributes. EPEAT also provides a clear and consistent set of performance criteria for the design of products, and provides an opportunity for manufacturers to secure market recognition for efforts to reduce the environmental impact of its products.” REUSE If donating your electronics or selling for reuse, keep in mind that all data should be properly removed (this means more than deleting your files) and the quicker you move the equipment on, the more valuable it is to the next owner. Do the “PC” Thing: Donate Computers-for consumers. This 2006 publication describes how consumers can safely donate their computers, some common reuse organizations and resources for deleting data from hard drives. Do the “PC” Thing: Donate Computers-for companies. This 2006 publication describes how companies can safety donate their computers, some common reuse organizations and resources for deleting data from hard drives. eBay Rethink. On this site you can find information, tools and solutions that make it easy – and even profitable – to find new users for idle computers and electronics, and responsibly recycle unwanted products. “Wireless: The New Recyclable.” This site is sponsored by the Cellular Telecommunications & Internet Association. It contains information about industry sponsored collection programs and guidelines for the collection and transportation of wireless devices among other resources. RECYCLE CHOOSING A RECYCLER: Currently there is no state or federal certification program for electronic waste recyclers. Recycling could mean anything from collecting electronics for refurbishment to dismantling materials and processing into commodities. Following are some documents that could help you find out about services provided by recycling companies that will fit your needs and ensure that your waste electronics are handled properly. Michigan Recycled Materials Market Directory. This on-line directory contains lists of recycling companies ranging from drums and barrels to tires and electronics. Electronics Recyclers Listed in the Michigan Recycled Materials Market Directory US EPA Responsible Recycling Practices published October 30, 2008. This publication is a set of guidelines for accredited certification programs to assess electronics recyclers’ environmental, worker health and safety, and security practices. Since January 2006, EPA has facilitated a multi-stakeholder group to develop this document. U.S. EPA approved CRT recycling exporters. This website contains the list of U.S EPA approved exporters of CRTs destined for recycling per the CRT rule. Federal Electronics Challenge, Checklist for the Selection of Electronics Reuse and Recycling Services. This checklist includes questions you may want to ask a recycler prior to contracting with them. You will want to know some basic information when securing an electronics recycler, regardless of size of your operation. The Federal Electronics Challenge (FEC) is a voluntary program that encourages government agencies to manage electronics waste in an environmentally responsible way. FEC has put together this checklist to assist in selecting an electronics recycler that best fits your needs. Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Publications:
Georgia guideline for choosing an electronics recycler . Two documents are linked that can help you choose an electronics recycler: “Guidelines for Auditing E-scrap Vendors” and “What You Should Know About Your E-scrap Vendor” BUSINESS-SPONSORED COMPUTER RECOVERY PROGRAMS: Following are links to manufacturer sponsored takeback and computer recycling programs. Ask your computer supplier, distributor or brand owner to find out if a takeback program is available. |
Link:
http://www.michigan.gov/deq/0,1607,7-135-3585_4130_18096-148778–,00.html
GEEP Opens NanoFuel Program
GEEP Opens NanoFuel Program
Global Electric Electronic Processing announced the opening of NanoFuel Solutions. The NanoFuel process will assist GEEP in achieving its zero landfill objective. Through the NanoFuel process, all non-usable commingled plastics derived from processing electronic waste can be turned into diesel fuel.
GEEP is establishing joint ventures to create a global network, all with similar technologies, all connected to GEEP’s headquarters in Barrie, Ontario.
Monday, April 23, 2007
Recyclers and Transporters of Electronic Waste
Agency: Environmental Quality |
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Notification requirements:
Notify the Waste and Hazardous Materials Division when electronic equipment from residents is collected, stored, processed, or dismantled, in excess of 1,000 pounds, on-site at any one time. Submit the form EQP5205at least two weeks prior to conducting the activity. Memorandum: Regulation of Electronic Wastes(September 20, 2002) For recyclers collecting electronics from anyone besides residential clients: Notify as a large quantity universal waste handler when handling 11,000 pounds or more of electronics and other universal waste collected from entities other than households and obtain a site identification number. Notifications may be done by applying online through MiTAPS or by mailing in the form EQP5150 . There is a $50 application fee. To check if a site identification number has already been assigned to a collection site, go to the Waste Data System and select advanced search. It is recommended to search using the street number in the address field and zip code in the postal code field. If you need assistance looking up a number or filling out the application, call the Environmental Assistance Center at 800-662-9278. The following Michigan regulatory guidance documents contain specific information about electronic waste.
Since “recycling” can mean different things, discuss if your recycling operations would be subject to the industrial storm water program with the Water Bureau District Office. See the industrial storm water program information including sample Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plans (SWPPPs) and links to the storm water operator certification. Water Bureau District Office Staff Contact List US EPA Responsible Recycling Practices published October 30, 2008. This publication is a set of guidelines for accredited certification programs to assess electronics recyclers’ environmental, worker health and safety, and security practices. Since January 2006, EPA has facilitated a multi-stakeholder group to develop this document. U.S. EPA approved CRT recycling exporters. This website contains the list of U.S EPA approved exporters of CRTs destined for recycling per the CRT rule. |
Link: http://www.michigan.gov/deq/0,1607,7-135-3585_4130_18096-148783–,00.html
Be Green, the future is… Geep!
Be Green
The future is… Geep!
Sunday, Jun. 21, 2009 | 06:34 PM AT
E-waste or electronic waste is everywhere. And it isn’t pretty. It’s actually pretty toxic–what with all those plastic bits and heavy metals, etc. Of course, by now you know that when you want to get rid of your TV or computer, you must take it to an eco-centre, not throw it in the trash. You knew that, right?
But perhaps you didn’t know this:
A lot of our e-waste (and plastics and paper) is shipped off to China, where the “real” recycling takes place. It’s really nice of China to be taking in all our rubbish (although these days, with the falling price of commodities, they’re less and less interested in recycling stuff when the secondary markets are drying up). But let’s face it, China isn’t exactly a world leader in environmental or safety policy. Plus, there’s all that very un-green shipping back and forth.
Luckily, there are companies right here in Canada that are working quite hard to come up with a zero-landfill, local solution (and you’re a part of it!)
Welcome to Geep Ecosys.
Did you say “Geep”?
That’s pronounced “geep”… with a hard “g” like “Geeta” or “go”. Sounds funny, no? Actually, it’s an acronym that stands for Global Electric Electronic Processing. The way that VP Bruce Hartley explained it to me, if your item has a battery or a power cord, they can arrange its eco-friendly disposal for you.
What Geep does
* They take in used and broken electronics and break them down into “commodities” (plastics, metals like aluminum, gold, silver, mercury, cadmium, etc). Most of these commodities are then resold for use in other electronics.
* They refurbish stuff that still has some life left in it. This could be your sewing machine, your Gameboy, your modem or the laptop that you swapped for something faster. And consumers rejoice, because you can go to the Geep showroom in Dorval and actually purchase these refurbished products at a fraction of the cost of a brand new thingummy.
* They aren’t kidding when they say they recycle EVERYTHING with a power cord or battery port. This means your TV remote, your iPod (although Apple offers a rebate on a new toy if you bring your old one in), your blender and also computers, MRI machines, professional scanners, etc. Everything!
* They have a great social program where they partner with Réseau québécois de CFER, a program that provides vocational training and social reintegration opportunities to marginalized youth. CFER partners with companies like Bureau en Gros (where you could bring in your printer for recycling, let’s say). Then workers at CFER dismantle the machines and Geep either buys the commodities off them or provides internships and jobs to CFER graduates.
What’s in it for you?
* Make some money: If you work for a company that often has large amounts of e-waste that’s still functional, Geep will actually pay you a fair market value for your stuff. They’ll then refurbish it and sell it and thus prolong its life. This helps you offset the costs of buying new equipment while keeping your eco-karma sparkling clean!
* Buy refurbished By buying electronics secondhand at Geep, you can save hundreds of dollars while constantly staying on top of the market!
The catch
For the moment, Geep does have to charge you a small fee (it’s usually under $15) to recycle your ewaste. This will be phased out when the government introduces a “recycle tax” (like the one we pay on tires). This is where consumers pay a small premium on their brand new toys to cover the eventual cost of disposing them off safely. Until that tax comes into effect, Geep does charge a little fee. On the bright side, if you buy a refurbished product, the fee is usually waived!
Posted in Computer Recycling | 
Tags: computer, e-waste, eco-centre, eco-friendly, electronic waste, TV | 
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