During the New Mexico Recycling Conference in June 2002, NRC’s Michael Alexander presented an overview of the current state of electronics recycling. To bring our members up to speed on this hot topic, we have summarized his presentation in this article. Michael’s full PowerPoint presentation and several others presented during the same workshop are available for you to download. View the list of presentations.
Why Is E-Waste the #1 Recycling Problem?
E-Waste is a problem for four key reasons:
#1: The proliferation of e-products. Forecasts for U.S. PC CPU shipments rose from about 32 million units in 1997 to more than 55 million units by 2005.
#2: The increasingly short life-spans of electronics products. The average total lifespan for most electronics is only 4-6 years. It is estimated that the lifespan of PCs will decline from 4.5 years in 1992 to just 2 years by 2007. The number of obsolete PCs entering the waste stream grows each year. Over the timeframe of 1997-2007, an estimated 500 million PCs will be obsolete.
#3: The toxic material constituents found in the products. PCs contain several toxic materials, including lead, mercury, cadmium, arsenic, and beryllium.
#4: There is currently no cogent strategy for end-of-life management of electronics. While many companies and government agencies are implementing various pilot programs, there is no cogent national strategy in place to manage e-waste.
Responses to the Problem
Both the public and private sectors, working independently and together, are attempting to address the e-waste problem. Local governments are mobilizing to prevent wholesale landfill disposal of e-waste. State governments are beginning to regulate and mandate potential solutions. The federal government is proposing to declassify CRTs as a hazardous waste if they are sent to a recycler/reuse system.
OEMs (original equipment manufacturers) and retailers are implementing a patchwork of programs to take back e-waste. Electronic recycling enterprises and donation centers are ramping up. Stakeholders from all sectors are convening under the National Electronics Product Stewardship Initiative (NEPSI). NRC is one of the NEPSI non-governmental stakeholders and NRC Executive Director Kate Krebs will continue to participate in the NEPSI dialogues.
Current Status of Electronics Recycling Infrastructure
The electronic recycling industry is taking shape; however, most operations are independent, small-scale, labor-intensive, and regional. For example, more than half of electronics recyclers are found on the East Coast and in the Midwest. Generators’ access to recycling varies by size, quality of their used product stream, ability to pay, and geography.
Recovery Options by Generator Type
Large generators, such as large companies, organizations, and agencies can access asset management or leasing program with OEMs or equipment vendors. They can also establish contracts with recyclers for material pick-up, processing, and indemnification against future liability
Small businesses and organizations may have access to limited asset management and leasing opportunities. They may be able to participate in municipal recovery programs on a limited basis. The onus is on the small generator to identify recyclers and arrange for material pick-up or delivery.
Consumers are finding that collection programs are becoming increasingly more available, as are local reuse options and product return programs with retailers and OEMs.
Key Unresolved Issues
Two key issues remain unresolved:
Who should bear and share program costs?
How do we differentiate between “legitimate” and “illegitimate” recycling, particularly overseas?
For more information on NRC’s work to address the e-waste problem, contact Michael Alexander at [email protected].