Reuse Is the Most Sensible Form of Recycling
Many nonprofit and charitable organizations are able to accept electronic equipment, particularly computers, and offer them to schools, community organizations, and needy individuals. By reusing electronic equipment for its intended purpose, its useful life is extended and those who may not be able to afford equipment are able to use it. An additional benefit of reusing electronics is the conservation of energy that it would take to manufacture new equipment.
Throughout the country, organizations help find recipients of donated equipment. For instance, Educational Assistance Ltd. donates surplus and excess inventory to schools and universities, which in turn offer a scholarship to needy students. Computers for Youth not only helps disadvantaged youth obtain a computer, but the organization also provides the recipients with a host of computer training services. You can also post a donation offer online at Share the Technology. In addition, UNICOR Federal Prison Industries also accepts electronic equipment from anywhere in the country, refurbishes the equipment for resale and recycles material that cannot reused or recycled.
Please note that often reuse organizations may only accept equipment that contains a 486 processor or higher. Some organizations, however, are using software solutions such as the New Deal Software to increase the utility of 286, 386, and 486 machines.
Reuse through Materials Exchange Programs
Materials exchange programs provide a forum for organizations and individuals to exchange goods that would otherwise end up as waste materials. Materials exchange programs are hosted by many states and list many materials including electronic equipment, peripherals, and supplies. Some materials exchange websites are listed below:
California Materials Exchange
Minnesota Materials Exchange
Colorado Materials Exchange
Links on the World Wide Web
Federal Government Programs/Federally Sponsored Activities
EPA’s Extended Product Responsibility Program
Although currently under construction, this website will soon provide a comprehensive source of information on Extended Product Responsibility (EPR). EPR challenges all actors in the product chain–suppliers, designers, manufacturers, distributors, retailers, consumers, recyclers,remanufacturers, disposers, and government–to work together to reduce the “environmental footprint” of products.
UNICOR Federal Prison Industries
UNICOR accepts computers and electronic equipment from anywhere in the country, refurbishes equipment for resale, and recycles material that cannot be reused or resold.
DEER2
DEER2 is the Demanufacturing of Electronic Equipment for Reuse and Recycling project, which encourages electronic equipment reuse and recycling. The Department of Defense initiated the project to research, test and deploy technology upgrades in the public and private sectors. DEER2 is a task under the National Defense Center for Environmental Excellence.
Department of Energy Electronics Recovery and Recycling Program
The Department of Energy’s Federal Energy Technology Center and West Virginia University will be developing ways to recycle computers and their components. Other participants include the Polymer Alliance Zone, the Institute for Software Research, and DN American.
Computers for Learning
The Computers for Learning program is designed to donate surplus federal computer equipment to schools and educational nonprofits, giving special consideration to those with the greatest need. The Computers for Learning website allows schools and educational nonprofits to register quickly and easily to request surplus federal computer equipment. Federal agencies will then use the website to donate computers to schools and educational nonprofits based upon indications of need.
Department of Commerce Digital Divide Program
The Department of Commerce National Telecommunications and Information Administration maintains a website and programs related to the Digital Divide–the gap between those who have access to information technology and those who don’t.
EPA’s Environmentally Preferable Purchasing (EPP) Program Database
The EPP Database is organized like a shopping mall and contains environmental attribute information for a wide variety of products–from appliances to vehicles. It also includes contract language that has been used by others to obtain products and services they consider to be environmentally preferable.
EPA’s Design for Environment (DfE) Program
The DfE Program helps businesses incorporate environmental considerations into the design and redesign of products, processes, and technical and management systems. The program forms voluntary partnerships with industry, universities, research institutions, public interest groups, and other government agencies.
State and Local Government Links
Wisconsin Recycling Markets Directory
The WRMD lists hundreds of businesses that buy or accept recyclable materials, including electronics and computer equipment.
Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection
This site will have updated information on the status of Massachusetts’s CRT recycling program and regulatory changes.
Minnesota Office of Environmental Assistance
OEA is collaborating with Sony Electronics, the Asset Recovery Group of Waste Management, Panasonic, and the American Plastics Council to evaluate various collection strategies and market development opportunities for recycling scrap from used and component parts.
California Integrated Waste Management Board
Each year in California hundreds of thousands of computers, copiers, fax machines, printers, televisions, and other still-functional electronic equipment become “obsolete” in the eyes of consumers. Rapid advances in technology and expanding demand for new features accelerates the generation of “old” electronic equipment (“e-waste”). The result is a growing challenge for businesses, residents, and communities as they search for ways to reuse, recycle, or properly dispose of this equipment.
Many components of electronic equipment–including metals, plastic, and glass–can be reused or recycled, while others may present environmental hazards if not disposed correctly. This Web site provides information and resources on how to properly manage your electronic products.
Nonprofit Organizations, Industry Councils, Trade Associations
ICER
The Industry Council for Electronic Equipment Recycling (ICER) is a cross-industry association with over 50 members from the UK and other European countries. It draws together the whole spectrum of interests concerned with recycling electronic and electrical equipment–material suppliers, manufacturers, retailers, waste management companies, recyclers, and local government.
ICER’s approach is to look at the whole life cycle, from design to final disposal. It undertakes research, trials and other practical projects to gain better understanding of the issues, help members prepare for legislation, and encourage increased recycling.
Educational Assistance Ltd.
EAL donates surplus and excess inventory to schools and universities. The schools and universities in turn offer a scholarship to needy students for the value of the equipment donated.
Computers for Youth
Based in New York City, Computers for Youth not only helps disadvantaged youth obtain a computer, but the organization also provides the recipients with a host of computer training services.
Materials for the Future Foundation
The Materials for the Future Foundation (MFF) is working with San Francisco Bay Area community-based organizations and businesses to implement an Electronic Collection and Recycling Pilot Project.
Clean Computer Campaign
Started by the Silicon Valley Toxics Coalition, the Clean Computer Campaign promotes clean production of computer and information technology equipment.
Southern Waste Information eXchange
SWIX recently released Used TV and Computer Recycling and Management in Florida: A Resource Guide, which provides an overview of federal regulations on the issue, and Florida-specific policies and regulations.
International Association of Electronics Recyclers
The IAER represents the electronics recycling industry including electronics recycling companies, original equipment manufacturers, nonprofit organizations, suppliers, and service providers. For more information about its membership services and activities, visit its website.