NYS Department of Environmental Conservation Recycling Used Electronics: Information for Government Agencies Presented by Michelle Ching and Katie Hershey NYSDEC May 21-22, 2008

NYS Department of Environmental Conservation Agenda Why used electronics are an environmental concern? What are my electronic reuse and donation options? What are the regulatory requirements? How do I choose a recycler? How are used electronics dismantled and recycled? Resources for recycling used electronics Questions?

NYS Department of Environmental Conservation Environmental Concerns

NYS Department of Environmental Conservation Environmental Concerns Lead (lead solder, leaded glass) found in virtually all electronics. Other chemicals of concern: mercury, cadmium, hexavalent chromium, beryllium, flame retardants.

NYS Department of Environmental Conservation A Look Inside – TV or Monitor Lead in CRT is major contributor to toxicity of used electronics. Even when CRT is removed, other metals, including lead solder, contribute to waste toxicity. TCLP failure makes many electronics items hazardous waste at end of life. (From

NYS Department of Environmental Conservation Environmental Concerns

NYS Department of Environmental Conservation Every 1000 Computers Recycled: Reduces municipal waste by 34.7 metric tons (= 18 US households’ waste) Reduces hazardous waste generation by 17 metric tons. Reduces toxic material use (including lead and mercury). Source: Northeast State Electronic Challenge Draft Resolution, June 2007

NYS Department of Environmental Conservation Electronics Reuse and Donation

NYS Department of Environmental Conservation Donation 1.Is my equipment working and in good condition? 2.Has the recipient agreed to take the equipment? 3.Are personal and business-related files erased? 4.Have I provided the recipient with recycling information? 5.State agencies: Have I complied with State Finance Law?

NYS Department of Environmental Conservation Reuse 1.Whole computer, component parts in good condition and fairly new: sold or donated for reuse. 2.Upgrade by replacing older or obsolete parts, or adding memory, components. Some equipment, such as monitors have longer useful lives.

NYS Department of Environmental Conservation Environmental Regulations Regulatory scheme favors recycling

NYS Department of Environmental Conservation Waste or Product? WASTE PRODUCT Operable equipment directed for reuse Inoperable Equipment destined for repair/refurbishment* After repair/refurbishment, if destined for reuse. Equipment destined for dismantling or recycling Salvaged, operable parts destined for reuse. Disposal

NYS Department of Environmental Conservation Waste or Product? Used electronics may be regulated wastes under State and Federal environmental regulations even if someone buys the equipment. Fate determines status (waste vs. product).

NYS Department of Environmental Conservation Hazardous Waste? Does it fail TCLP? Leachate test mimics real-world conditions, fate in environment. Lead: 5 ppm TCLP Chromium, Cadmium, Mercury CRTs contain on average 4-8 pounds total lead Lead solder a common reason for other electronic equipment to fail TCLP Limited data, costs and difficulties of doing TCLP, thousands of products in commerce and waste stream

NYS Department of Environmental Conservation Mercury-Containing Equipment NYS Mercury-Added Consumer Product Legislation requires that mercury-containing items be delivered to receiving facility by separate delivery. Applies even if equipment is not hazardous waste. Information at:

NYS Department of Environmental Conservation Households Households exempt from most regulations, but electronics increasingly banned from solid waste stream. Many community collection programs: ml ml Some recycler, retailer and manufacturer take back programs.

NYS Department of Environmental Conservation Generators What is a Generator? Non-household user, such as government agency, institution, or private business that first takes the equipment out of service (1) required (“c7”) notice and (2)send to recycler; metals are recovered “Cradle to Cradle” or “Cradle to Grave” liability

NYS Department of Environmental Conservation Sample Generator “c7” Notification. (371.1(c)(7)) To: Waste Determination and Analysis Section of NYSDEC Please be advised that [insert generator’s name and mailing address] intends to use the scrap metal exemption of 6 NYCRR 371.1(g)(1)(iii)(b) for certain used computer monitors, keyboards, and central processing units that will be shipped from its facility located at [insert location of facility] to [insert Dismantler’s name and address] where the items will be dismantled, with scrap metal pieces obtained during the dismantling routed to [insert name and address of scrap metal recycler who will receive the scrap metal pieces]. Please contact the undersigned at [insert generator’s phone number] if you have any questions. Sincerely, [Print name and address of generator’s representative] Fax to Waste Determination & Analysis Section at (518)

NYS Department of Environmental Conservation Who has to file a c7 notification? All handlers except transporters, if directed for recycling or dismantling; or Fate of equipment is unknown, or some or all equipment will be dismantled or recycled In lieu of full compliance with hazardous waste regulations CESQGs (generate no more than 100 kg total hazardous waste/calendar month; accumulate no more than 1000 kg; handle no more than 1 kg acute hw) don’t need to file C7 notification not required if not a hazardous waste DEC considering regulations change: generators would maintain documentation on site

NYS Department of Environmental Conservation Collectors, Dismantlers & Recyclers Third parties, usually receiving used electronics from multiple generators Requirements (1)required c7 notice; (2) scrap metal will be recovered; (3) appropriately handle any resulting hazardous waste; (4) possible solid waste permit, registration; (5) annual waste fluid report; (6) meet applicable Federal export requirements DEC considering additional site standards

NYS Department of Environmental Conservation Sample Collector/Dismantler/Recycler c7 Notification To: Waste Determination and Analysis Section of NYSDEC Please be advised that [insert Dismantler/Recycler’s name and mailing address] intends to use the scrap metal exemption of 6 NYCRR 371.1(g)(1)(iii)(b) for certain used computer monitors, keyboards, and central processing units received from its customers. This facility will [list here all activities conducted by the Dismantler/Recycler, such as: segregate, inventory, consolidate, dismantle] the electronic items received, with scrap metal pieces obtained during the dismantling routed to [insert name and address of scrap metal recyclers who will receive the scrap metal pieces]. For outgoing scrap metal shipments, the facility intends to use the processed scrap metal exclusion of 371.1(e)(1)(xiii). The scrap metal pieces will ultimately be smeltered at [insert smelter’s name and address]. Please contact the undersigned at [insert Dismantler/Recycler’s phone number] if you have any questions. Sincerely, [Insert name and address of Dismantler/Recycler’s representative] Fax to Waste Determination & Analysis Section at (518)

NYS Department of Environmental Conservation Disposal If fails TCLP, meet applicable hazardous waste requirements. If Mercury-Containing, meet mercury- added consumer product law. Disposal to a facility authorized to accept it. Part 364 Transporter permit generally required.

NYS Department of Environmental Conservation Cell Phone Take-Back Programs Retailers who sell both cell phones and service are required to take cell phones for recycling. Must accept up to 10 cell phones per person. Not limited to households. Other legitimate donation/fundraising options also available. More information at:

NYS Department of Environmental Conservation DEC Used Electronics Rulemaking Incorporate recent Federal changes that improve CRT and color TV glass recycling. Improve on-site and end-of-life management by collectors, dismantlers and recyclers. Implement Wireless Telephone Act of 2006 (requires retailers to accept cell phones for reuse or recycling).

NYS Department of Environmental Conservation Choosing a Recycler

NYS Department of Environmental Conservation Sample Environmental Criteria for RFPs Recycler will handle used electronics in accordance with all local, state and federal laws and regulations Acceptable c7 notification on file with NYSDEC Provide names and addresses of downstream vendors/markets information Information security provisions After collection, provide data on reuse, recycling.

NYS Department of Environmental Conservation Choosing a Recycler Conducting Downstream Audits: Checklist for choosing a vendor: net/resources/docs/select.pdf Conducting on-site audits: net/resources/docs/onsite_review.pdf

NYS Department of Environmental Conservation Storage practices?

NYS Department of Environmental Conservation How are used electronics dismantled and recycled?

NYS Department of Environmental Conservation First Steps

NYS Department of Environmental Conservation Dismantling the Hard Drive

NYS Department of Environmental Conservation

NYS Department of Environmental Conservation Recyclables Ferrous and non-ferrous metals – steel, copper, aluminum Precious metals Various grades of plastic, including polycarbonates Packaging materials Glass: Processed for remanufacture into new CRTs or used as fluxing agent for lead smelters

NYS Department of Environmental Conservation Resources

NYS Department of Environmental Conservation State Electronics Challenge Modeled after Federal Electronics Challenge. Open to all level of state and local agencies, including SUNY. Purchasing, operations & maintenance, end-of- life. Partners agree to and document lifecycle changes. Member-only benefits extended to all employees of partner organization.

NYS Department of Environmental Conservation Resources - Procurement Procurement Planning Checklist: html html EPEAT© Standards: Purchasing Contract Language: Environmental Attributes to Consider (for Non-EPEAT© products): nv.pdf nv.pdf

NYS Department of Environmental Conservation Resources – Procurement (cont.) Electronics Environmental Benefits Calculator: Energy Star® Computers: Climate Savers Smart Computing:

NYS Department of Environmental Conservation Resources - Operations & Maintenance How to Improve Operations & Maintenance: df df Energy Star® Power Management: agement agement NYSERDA Energy $mart: Extend Product Life:

NYS Department of Environmental Conservation Resources – End of Life Electronics Environmental Benefits Calculator: EPA-Designated Donation Outlets: Packaging Instructions for Used Electronics: Manufacturer Take-Back Programs: 10.pdf

NYS Department of Environmental Conservation Resources – End of Life (cont.) DEC List of Household Programs: Some transfer stations collect for recycling. Private or public/private events (e.g., WM/RA events in various DEC regions, LESE programs in NYC) DEC Dismantler/Recycler List:

NYS Department of Environmental Conservation Resources - DTV Conversion FCC Facts on DTV Conversion: TV Converter Box Coupon Program: National Association of Broadcasters: DTV Commercial:

NYS Department of Environmental Conservation Resources – Other Sites of Interest How Stuff Works, Inc.: National Geographic Feature: trash/carroll-text trash/carroll-text

NYS Department of Environmental Conservation For Further Information: Michelle Ching Katie Hershey (518) Waste Determinations and Analysis Section DSHM, NYSDEC 625 Broadway, Albany, NY