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Communities Respond to Growth of e-waste

Mobile HHW Events Serve Tennessee Communities Since 2003, the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Program (www.cleanairtn.org/swm/hhw) has collected over 900,000 pounds of electronic waste. The amount of e-waste collected at HHW events has increased from 5 percent of the total waste stream in 2003 to nearly 20 percent in 2006. This steady increase is expected to continue as more electronic material flow through the marketplace and greater electronic recycling awareness is promoted across the state.

The volume, weight, storage needs and cost associated with effective e-waste management present special challenges but can be safely managed by local communities. The benefits of establishing local e-waste collection programs include:

• more convenient recycling options for community residents,
• decreased landfill costs and liabilities, and
• increased recycling rates to help meet mandated established by Tennessee’s Solid Waste Management Act.

What to Know and Ask Before Designing a Community Response

Before planning a community e-waste collection program, it is necessary to learn about the basic information associated with electronic waste and determine the reasons for establishing a program. Electronic wastes contain metals and other materials that can be hazardous to human health and the environment if they are not properly managed. It is helpful to understand the hierarchy for handling e-waste. Best management practices encourage waste be handled in the most environmentally desirable method. A preferential waste management hierarchy for electronics and processing residuals:

    1. Reuse of electronic equipment, components or demanufactured items.
    2. Recycle equipment or components for material recovery.
    3. Manage components for energy recovery.
    4. Dispose of components via incineration.

What Types of e-waste will be Collected?

Generally, any electronic product with a circuit board or a battery will have hazardous characteristics. E-waste may include personal computers, monitors, televisions, keyboards, printers, telephones, typewriters, calculators, copiers, fax machines and audio equipment.

Who is Eligible to Participate in a Community e-waste Collection Program?

E-waste Recycling Activities - Common References The e-waste industry offers a variety of recycling facilities and terminology. Here are some common terms used to describe services: Collection/hauler: Collects computers and televisions and transports them to another business for repair, reuse or recycling. Usually works under contract with another business. Repair shop: Repairs computers and televisions for resale and removes operational and valuable components for resale to the highest level of reuse. May dispose of components and equipment that do not have reuse or resale value. Electronic Demanufacturer: Dismantles electronics for reusable and operational components to achieve scrap value, includes for-profit and not-for-profit facilities. Private Asset Recovery Operation: Specializes in providing the highest return on discarded computer equipment. Usually from large-scale businesses. May also engage in demanufacturing and/or Cathode Ray Tube (CRT)/monitor processing.

Most local, community collection programs are only available to households with a couple pieces of electronic waste. Some programs allow non-profit organizations, schools, churches, etc. to participate for a small fee to recover program costs. Commercial and institutional generators are generally excluded and are required handle their e-waste directly.

Will there be a Fee for Participation?

There are costs incurred in all forms of waste handling – solid waste, hazardous waste, electronic waste, construction and demolition waste, etc. Participants should understand and calculate the cost associated with properly handling electronic wastes.

NOTE: Illegal dumping of electronic waste also poses a serious cost to human health and the environment as inappropriately handled toxic materials may impact groundwater, surface water and soil.

Where will the e-waste Collection and Storage take Place?

Challenges in collecting e-waste include weight, volume and storage needs. An ideal collection site would meet the following minimum standards:

Sheltered to protect e-waste and insure operating equipment can be reused first, rather than recycled or processed.

Storage capacity to minimize transportation costs; a full trailer load is approximately 22 pallets or 20,000 pounds

Heavy equipment to move palletized or boxed e-waste.

Accessible for loading and unloading.

NOTE: At present time, facilities that collect used or discarded electronics for recycling do not require a permit. For more information please visit Recyclers and Recovered Materials Processors or contact your local Environmental Field Office at 1-888-891-TDEC.

How to Select a Contractor to Safely Manage e-waste?

It is important that electronics recyclers operate according to best practice management. The Federal Electronics Challenge provides a Checklist for the Selection of Electronic Recycling Services related to best management practices, current service areas and collection specifications. Responses to this survey should aid in selection of an electronics recycler according to the best fit for your needs and environmental concerns.