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Final Rules on Cathode Ray Tubes and Discarded Mercury-Containing Equipment

July 10th, 2009 |

Author: Electronics Recycler

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Although they do not address the same materials, classifying mercury-containing equipment as universal waste and excluding cathode ray tubes from the definition of solid waste were proposed in the same action in 2003. In order to expedite the regulatory process, the actions were separated and each now stands alone.

Cathode Ray Tubes Final Rule

Discarded Mercury-Containing Equipment Final Rule

Cathode Ray Tubes Final Rule

A cathode ray tube (CRT) is the glass video display component of an electronic device (usually a computer or television monitor). This final rule streamlines management requirements for recycling of used CRTs and glass removed from CRTs under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA). The amendments exclude these materials from the RCRA definition of solid waste if certain conditions are met. The rule is intended to encourage recycling and reuse of used CRTs and CRT glass. EPA proposed this rule on June 12, 2002 (67 FR 40508).

Fact Sheet: Easier Recycling of Cathode Ray Tubes || Fact Sheet (PDF) (2 pp, 18K)

Federal Register Notice || Federal Register Notice (PDF) (108 pp, 230K) – July 28, 2006

The support materials for this rule and the public comments EPA received on the proposal are available for public review online, as explained below. Please note that final rule materials will not be available from Regulations.gov until the rule is published in the Federal Register

Supporting materials for this rule are available below.

To use Regulations.gov:

Select Docket Search.
Select “Environmental Protection Agency” from the Agency drop-down menu.
In the Docket ID box, type in the docket number – EPA-HQ-RCRA-2004-0012 and press the “Submit” button to receive search results. Be patient; loading the documents takes time.

Frequent Questions

Export Requirements in the CRT Final Rule

Used CRTs (Broken and Intact) Exported for Recycling

Used CRTs exported for recycling must comply with requirements that are specified in detail in 40 CFR 261.39(a)(5). Below is a summary of these requirements. They are:

Notify EPA (OECA) of an intended shipment 60 days before the shipment. Notification may cover exports extending over a 12-month or shorter period.

Notification must include contact info about the exporter and recycler, and an alternate recycler. It must also include a description of the recycling, frequency and rate of export, means of transport, total quantity of CRTs, and info about transit countries.

OECA will notify the receiving country and transit countries. When the receiving country consents in writing to the receipt of the CRTs, OECA will forward the consent to the exporter. The exporter may not ship the CRTs until he receives the consent.
If the receiving country does not consent or withdraws a prior consent, EPA will notify the exporter in writing. Exporters must keep copies of notifications and consents for three years following receipt of the consent.
Consent is not required from transit countries, but EPA will notify the exporter of any responses from these countries.

CRT Glass Exported for Recycling

Processed glass (i.e., CRT glass that has been sorted) is not subject to export requirements. Unsorted glass would be considered a “broken CRT” and would be subject to export requirements.

Used Intact CRTs Exported for Reuse

Persons who export used, intact CRTs for reuse must submit a one-time notification to the appropriate EPA Region with contact info and a statement that they are exporting the CRTs for reuse (see 40 CFR 261.41). They must keep copies of normal business records demonstrating that each shipment will be reused. Records must be retained for three years.

Unused Intact CRTs Exported for Reuse or Recycling