Electronic Recycling 101 What is ewaste Electronic waste

Electronic Recycling 101

What is e-waste: Electronic waste is anything with a plug or a circuit board (excluding major appliances and A/C units). The most commonly recycled items are computers, monitors, printers, TV’s, and small appliances.

Materials we collect IT Equipment • • • Computers/Laptops/base materials Servers LCD and CRT Monitors Printers/Copiers Keyboards, mice, computer cords External hard drives Modems/network boxes Scanners APC/UPS Backup systems Flash drives, floppy drives, CDs Appliances • • Microwave/toaster ovens Electric/Gas stoves Small kitchen appliances Washing machines and dryers Vacuum cleaners Hair dryers/curling irons Iron Electric lawnmower/weed eater Audio Video Equipment • • • Televisions (CRT, LCD, LED, Plasma, Projection) Video Players (VHS, DVD, Beta, Blu. Ray) Cable/DVR/Satellite boxes Stereo systems and speakers Game consoles, handheld games Telecommunication equipment Cell phones VHS tapes, DVDs, CDs, audio tapes MP 3 players, boom boxes, walkmen Projectors, Overhead machines • • • Car stereos GPS units Auto shop diagnostic equipment Car batteries Alternators and starters • Automotive

Materials we collect cont. Misc. Electronics • • Medical Equipment (all fluids must be removed) Testing Equipment Transformers Capacitors Cameras and broadcasting equipment Typewriters User terminals Remote control or electronic toys Non-electronic items • • • Metal or plastic patio furniture Metal bed frames Metal desks Metal shelving Misc. wiring Misc. scrap metal Lamps • • • Fluorescent tubes U-Tubes CFL bulbs Batteries • • • Lithium ion (laptop/cell phone) Lithium ion (button) Lead Acid Ni-Cad Ni-Mh

Materials we cannot accept Items with Freon • • • Air conditioners Refrigerators Freezers Items with chemicals or coolants • • • Some medical equipment Some testing equipment Manufacturing equipment Gas powered lawnmowers Gas powered scooters/carts Cooking oil or motor oil Other • • • PCBs (some ballasts) Thermostats Oil based paints or primers Chemicals Pharmaceuticals

Why is e-waste a problem? • E-Waste is toxic and hazardous, containing lead, cadmium, beryllium, mercury, and arsenic. • CRTs contain 4 - 12 lbs of lead and account for 40% of all lead in landfills • E-Waste accounts for 70% of heavy metals in landfills with potential contamination for soil and groundwater • Incinerating computer plastics with brominated flame retardants generates toxic emissions

e-waste is a growing problem… • e-waste volume is growing 3 times faster than all other waste streams • 65 million PCs become obsolete every year in the US • EPA estimate – 1. 9 million tons of e-waste land-filled in US annually • Over 500 million obsolete computers and TVs sitting in home closets, basements, and garages waiting to be recycled

How is e-waste being handled in Colorado? • Per capita, Colorado has more electronic recyclers than most other states, but has a relatively low diversion rate • Oversight of electronic recyclers is very limited • In urban areas, consumers have multiple options to recycle electronics, most rural areas have none • Federal law prohibits businesses, organizations, and public entities from disposing of toxic electronics. • SB 133 will ban consumer e-waste from landfills starting July of 2013

Why ethical recycling offers the best solution • Electronics are 95 -98% recyclable • Recycling creates green jobs • Recycling reduces carbon footprint • Recycling costs less per MTCO 2 reduction than energy efficiency initiatives, weatherization measures, and wind power programs • Recycling is a more efficient use of natural resources • • Newer electronics contain precious metals that are in scarce supply (i. e. selenium, indium, tellurium) Mining is very costly both environmentally and economically • For Example: Today’s mines produce a gold concentration of about 10 grams per ton of mined material • Reuse is often not an option • • Rapid advances in technology limit the market for used electronics Data security is often not ensured

How are electronics processed for recycling?