Electronics Recycling News
The E-Waste Patchwork
For the last several years, policymakers at the state level have been engaged in fierce debates over the best approach to handling the challenge of recycling used electronics (e-waste). In many cases, these debates have led to the passage of legislation that provides some level of funding for a mandatory recycling program. In fact, 18 states as well as New York City have some kind of e-waste law in place, which equates to 53 percent of the U.S. population.
E-Scrap legislation update
From coast to coast, even off the mainland, electronics recycling legislation has received positive attention from many state legislatures over the last week or so.
The Colorado General Assembly's passing of House Bill 1282 requires the state to create a task force to study the costs the benefits of implementing both a statewide e-scrap recycling program and a landfill disposal ban on devices covered under the plan. The bill now awaits action from Governor Bill Ritter, Jr.
In Hawaii, HB 1809 amends the Aloha State's present producer-responsibility program to recognize all direct view and projection televisions with a viewable screen of nine inches or larger. Under the program, manufacturers must register with the state, paying $2,500 annually, and have their recovery program implemented and fully operational no later than January 1, 2011. Passed by the Hawaii State Legislature, the bill will now be sent to Governor Linda Lingle for possible approval.
Senate File 1486 awaits a decision from Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty. The measure updates the North Star State's current program by amending reporting requirements for manufacturers and retailers of video display devices, and limiting the amount of recycled electronics, which can be applied to future recycling obligations, to no more than 25 percent for any program year.
The New Hampshire General Court has passed HB 338, which looks to establish a landfill and incinerator disposal ban for video display media recorders, players and computers. The bill will now be transferred to Governor John Lynch.
By a 41-to-zero vote, the Nevada Assembly has passed an amended version of AB 426. Initially introduced as a producer-responsibility measure, the bill has since been amended to require the state to conduct a study concerning programs for reusing and recycling computers and other electronics. The bill now resides with the Senate Committee on Natural Resources.
The Texas House has passed HB 284 by a 102-to-40 vote. The measure requires Texas companies exporting waste electronics or electronic parts for recycling, re-use or disposal purposes — to countries not affiliated with the European Union or the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development — to submit an annual electronic report detailing their shipments. The bill now resides with the Senate Natural Resources Committee.
Computer re-use advocates applaud new Washington law
Washington Governor Chris Gregoire's enactment of House Bill 1522 amends the Evergreen State's present e-scrap program to allow collectors registered with the state to make minor repairs to collected non-working computers. The law previously only allowed "fully-functional" computers for re-use.
Any repair work done by collectors using pieces of non-working computers must be done part-for-part and be conducted by the registered collector, at their place of business. "There are limitations [to the law] that are meant to keep collectors in the collector realm, and not become pseudo processors," says Miles Kuntz, electronic product recycling manager for the Washington State Department of Ecology. "It's not meant to allow collectors to tear-down old units and rebuild new ones from 19 different computers."
"The passing of the law comes at a crucial time for us as the need for computers among unemployed and low income has spiked dramatically over the last three months," says Charles Brennick, director of InterConnection, one of Washington State's registered collectors and one of the most voluble critics of the law before amended by HB 1522. "The number of low-cost computers we sell to unemployed individuals has tripled in the last two months, and we had been on the brink of running out of computers."
The law goes into effect July 26, 2009.
"We're looking forward to working with collectors on this, and we're hoping it will be a positive change," continued Kuntz. Any policing of the collectors under the new law will largely be tip-driven and from spot checks as stated in the measure.
Dell bans exports of company e-scrap
May 12, 2009
Computer giant Dell announced a formal ban this week on the export of non-working electronics generated by the company's operations and its various take-back programs. The company says that the move makes its export policy stricter than Basel Convention requirements, as Dell is banning all non-working machines from export, while Basel disallows export based on material or chemical composition.
The new electronics disposition policy further states that no prison or child labor is used in processing the equipment; that "every reasonable effort" will be made to keep materials from landfill; and that all equipment throughout the chain of custody will be tracked and documented to disposition.
The move was applauded by various members of the environmental community. "This is a very significant announcement," says Barbara Kyle, national coordinator for the Electronics Takeback Coalition. "It may seem like nuance, but what Dell's doing is drawing a very sharp and clear line and saying they won't cross it, in a way that is just much brighter and clearer than the way anyone else does it."
Not all cheered the announcement, however, with re-use group The World Reuse, Repair and Recycling Association (WR3A), complaining that the export ban will stifle computer usage in developing countries. "In the 1980s, activists flirted with a 'coffee boycott' to improve the lives of coffee farmers," says W3RA founder Robin Ingenthron. "[But] boycotts won't make farmers richer, trade will — and Fair Trade Coffee was developed. We need the same strategy to address the demand by legitimate overseas repair and refurbishing factories."
For its part, Dell sees the move as one that could spur the industry to do more of the same. "As one of the world's leading providers of technology, we recognize our responsibility to ensure that technology is disposed of properly at the end of its usable life," says Tod Arbogast, director of sustainable business at Dell. "We strongly encourage the rest of the industry to do the same using globally-consistent practices like these."
Global e-waste crisis is worsening, but the tide will turn in 2015
May 6, 2009
The consumer electronics revolution of recent years, for all its benefits, has also yielded an environmental blight in the form of e-waste - obsolete electronics equipment whose toxic materials and sheer volume are placing a strain upon solid waste management systems worldwide. According to a new report from Pike Research, the e-waste crisis will worsen over the next several years until 2015, when volume will peak at 73 million metric tons. However, the firm forecasts that global volumes will decline in 2016 and beyond, as a number of key e-waste initiatives begin to turn the tide.
“Key weapons in the war against e-waste include government regulation, electronics industry initiatives, and consumer awareness,” says managing director Clint Wheelock. “On the positive side, the European Union has established a strong regulatory framework with its WEEE and RoHS directives, serving as an example for similar initiatives worldwide. Many leading electronics manufacturers and service providers are also strong exemplars of what corporate social responsibility can achieve - in Pike Research’s analysis, this list of leading companies includes Cisco, Dell, HP, Motorola, Nokia, Research In Motion, Sprint Nextel, and Vodafone.”
However, adds Wheelock, significant challenges remain, the most notable of which is consumer behavior. “It’s too easy and relatively inexpensive to simply throw electronics away,” he says, “though we are seeing improvements in popular awareness.” In addition, there is no international coordination on e-waste regulation and, as a result, the electronics recycling supply chain is full of holes and open to widespread abuse.
Pike Research’s study, “Electronics Recycling and E-Waste Issues”, provides a comprehensive analysis of the global e-waste landscape. The report includes SWOT analysis for key sectors, analysis of consumer survey results, and forecasts for e-waste generation and processing volumes through 2025. An Executive Summary of the report is available for free download on the firm’s website.
Pike Research is a market research and consulting firm that provides in-depth analysis of global clean technology markets. The company’s research methodology combines supply-side industry analysis, end-user primary research and demand assessment, and deep examination of technology trends to provide a comprehensive view of the Renewable Energy, Clean Transportation, Clean Industry, Green Consumers, and Environmental Management sectors. For more information, visit www.pikeresearch.com or call +1.303.997.7609.