On December 11, 2002, over 75 key players in electronics recycling in the Midwest convened in Chicago for an interactive and educational workshop titled “Advancing Electronics Recycling in the Midwest.” Organized by the NRC and the Illinois Recycling Association, the workshop enhanced attendees understanding of the status and potential future path of electronics recycling both nationally and regionally, established a network of important players on the issue, and provided an opportunity for participants to formulate a strategy for increasing electronics recycling in the Midwest. This workshop is part of a series on electronics recycling that NRC is organizing in partnership with our state recycling affiliates.
Jerry Powell from Resource Recycling Magazine kicked off the event with an engaging presentation on the state of affairs in electronics recycling. Powell covered the top trends in the field nationally, including:
- A burgeoning electronics recycling industry: Over 500 e-scrap recycling firms are currently in business offering a variety of services. There will likely be a trend towards consolidation.
- Growth in municipally driven collections of obsolete electronics: There were 1,000 communities with programs in 2002. Typically, one percent of residents participate. Total programs costs are averaging $300/ton. Trend is towards permanent drop-off collection facilities.
- Increasing willingness of computer makers to assist in financing and operating collection program. Many original equipment manufacturers are moving towards fee-based systems, with others participating in local collection events.
- Prominence of product stewardship as a driver in policy and programs: The National Electronics Product Stewardship Iinitiative may establish a national program for electronics take back.
Powell next dispelled several myths in electronics recycling, including that there are rising volumes of electronics, rapid technological change is significantly increasing the number of obsolete electronics, and e-scrap recycling is an immense environmental problem. He concluded with his forecast of how the electronics recycling issue is likely to evolve in the future.
The first of three panels for the day covered the latest in innovative and cost-effective strategies for collecting electronics for recycling. The panelists were: Mary Allen, Solid Waste Agency N. Cook County; Marty Seaman, Oakland County, Michigan; Bryan Ukena, EcoCycle, Boulder, CO;and Joe Aho, Recycle America, Waste Management. Panelists addressed the range of program designs for collecting electronics, anticipated program costs, potential participation and capture rates, how to choose a recycler, and successful innovations employed to boost recovery and reduce program costs, including partnering with computer makers and other stakeholders to share in program costs. Many of the programs have developed resources and tools that can be used by other programs to assist with implementation. Following the panel was a discussion of the key challenges and opportunities for increasing electronics recovery in the Midwest.
Representatives from three of the region’s leading electronics recyclers participated in the second panel of the day on the evolution of the electronics recycling industry. The panelists were: Bob Glavin, United Recycling Industries;Neil Peters-Michaud, Cascade Asset Management Company; and Jade Lee, Service Systems International. Presenters discussed their processing/dismantling technologies, services, material sourcing strategies, markets, experience in navigating regulatory policies and government programs, and opportunities for, and barriers to, the industry’s growth. The panel represented the diversity of electronics recyclers in the region, enabling the companies to contrast their services and capabilities.
In the third panel of the day, representatives from the industries that use the parts and materials from demanufactured and recycled electronics discussed how various technical and economic issues impact their operations and bottom line. Panelists were: David Kaplan, Maine Plastics; Herb Schall, Dlubak’s Glass; and Keiko Hirai, Sony Electronics.
The panel established a feedback loop from the end markets to electronic product recyclers and collection programs on factors impacting the cost-effectiveness of the overall recycling system. Following the panel was a facilitated back and forth session with the audience focused on strategies for improving the cost-effectiveness of the electronics recycling system.
The workshop was sponsored by U.S. EPA Region 5, the Illinois Department of Commerce and Community Affairs, United Recycling Industries, and Service Systems International. This workshop is part of a series of workshops on electronics recycling that NRC is organizing in partnership with our state recycling affiliates. If your state recycling association is interested in holding a similar workshop, please contact Michael Alexander, NRC Senior Research Associate, at [email protected], or (802) 254-3338.