Collection Model

Getting Started - The Big Picture

Once you decide to conduct an electronics collection, the natural next step is to determine the type of electronics collection program to develop. Making that determination will depend on many factors. The key questions that will direct your planning decisions are listed in checklist format below. Each item on this checklist will be further discussed in this chapter.

Why are you beginning this program?
What are you going to collect?
Who will the program serve?
What legal requirements must be satisfied?
Who will manage the program?
Are there social goals for the program?
What will be the fare of the CRT's?
What is your budget?
What can be done to minimize costs?
What are your data needs?

Why Are You Beginning This Program?
In other words, what is motivating this new effort?

Is it a new state law, policy or regulation? Several states have laws, regulations, or policies that prohibit the disposal of CRT's in the municipal solid waste stream - even from residential sources.

Is it to increase your recycling rate? States are under increasing pressure to meet recycling goals set by their legislatures. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has set a national recycling goal of 35% by 2005. Various State governments have also set recycling goals or are in the process of establishing new goals. North Dakota's goal is a 40% waste reduction.
Is it to increase solid waste diversion? Landfill capacity may be an issue in your region.
Is it to encourage reuse or charitable donation(s)? Promoting reuse may provide a second life to equipment that is still functional. It may also address social needs by providing low-cost equipment to segments of the community that would not otherwise have access to computers. Reuse is a higher value on EPA's, and most state, solid waste hierarchies than recycling, land filling or incineration for energy.

Many communities have an existing infrastructure of electronics reuse and perhaps recycling. Take care not to compete or work at cross-purposes with non-profit reuse organizations and other outlets. You may wish to first catalog the extent of this infrastructure, and existing or potential non-collection methods that promote electronics reuse and recycling, before designing and implementing your own collection program.
Is it to remove toxics/heavy metals from the solid waste stream? Diverting electronic equipment from disposal in an incinerator reduces heavy metal concentrations in air emissions and ash. There is less direct evidence of the immediate toxicity benefits of diversion from landfills.
Is it to provide a job training opportunity? Many programs combine electronics collection with job training opportunities. Hennepin County, Minnesota used this approach, as do many not-for-profit organizations, i.e., Goodwill, Salvation Army.
Are you being directed to start a program?
Electronics collection and recycling programs are a hot topic within the solid waste community. Many municipalities are including this new and growing waste stream in their recycling programs.
All of the above?
None of the above?
Some of the above?
Other reasons specific to your community?

There isn't any one right answer, but it is critical to understand "why" a collection program is being considered. These answers will guide the formulation of the program's goals and objectives, as well as aid in program design and implementation.

What Are You Going to Collect?
Electronic equipment is loosely defined as any item that transfers data or has circuit boards. Defining what will be collected as part of the program is integral to the program's design and cost. It should also be a direct reflection of your program goals.

Cathode Ray Tubes (CRTs) - Computer Monitors and Televisions
Computer monitors and televisions are the primary focus of this manual and the principal target of electronics recycling/reuse programs throughout the country. The reason is due to the toxic materials in the equipment, and specifically the lead content in the monitors manufactured since 1995. Other, consistent, data indicates the following lead contents in CRT glass.

     CRT Size Lead

     13-inch          1.0 lbs
     17-inch          1.5 lbs
     27-inch          4.0 lbs
     32-inch          6.5 lbs

Figure 37: Lead in CRTs
Higher lead content is likely to be found in older equipment, which is, of course, the equipment most likely to come into the program.

In the same Minnesota study referenced above the televisions that came into their pilot project was as follows.

     Age of Television Percentage

     By Decade     of Total
     1960s             10%
     1970s             37%
     1980s             47%
     1990s             6%

Figure 38: Age of Televisions Brought to Program
The overwhelming majority of material, 94% was at least 10 years old, with a significant percentage being at least 20 years old.

We recommend that you target CRTs, no matter what type of program you decide to offer.

Computer Components
Generally, central processing units (CPUs), printers, scanners and small computer peripherals, such as modems, external drives, keyboards, mice, and zip drives are collected as part of the computer system. Experience has shown that the public wants to recycle the entire system: even if you advertise only the monitor, other components will arrive as well. We recommend making the program easy for the participants and, therefore, that you accept computer components as well as the CRTs.

It is also noteworthy that CPUs may have a revenue value when recycled; moreover, they too, contain lead in the solder. Indeed, there is a question whether CPUs, like CRTs, may legally constitute hazardous waste due to the concentration of lead.
Other Electronic Equipment - Anything with a Circuit Board
It is worth considering including VCRs, stereos, radios, portable and cell phones, fax machines, camcorders, and even copying machines in the program. These items are easy to collect - except for the copying machines are likely to come into the program anyway, and many (if not most) recyclers no cost to the collection.
Anything with a Plug
Some programs collect any and all electrical and electronic equipment. If the objective of your program is to maximize diversion from disposal this may be an appropriate strategy. It may, however, be quite costly. An amazing array of materials can come in of no limit are set. Examples of anything with a plug that will be brought in include:

Air conditioners

Curling irons

Dehumidifiers

Electronic drum sets

Irons

Lamps

Microwaves

Play stations

Tape decks

Vacuums

Vaporizers, and

More.

Who Will the Program Serve?
Another fundamental question is who may participate in the program. Define the audience that you are trying to reach.

Residents
Municipal buildings
Schools
Other local institutions
Local businesses

Setting up your program presents a unique opportunity to reach out beyond residents to include government, institutions, schools and businesses. These sectors may not be aware of options for electronic recycling and their options may in fact be quite limited. Offering access to a recycling program or vendor is a valuable service that you can provide.

By vendor, we mean the recycler or reuse organization that will take the collected materials from you and them process or reuse them.

Many communities that welcome businesses, institutions and other non-residential participants, charge a fee for participation. Another strategy is to make separate arrangements for businesses or other large volume customers outside the municipal collection program for residents.

One challenge that opening the program to a larger audience presents is the possibility that volumes of materials may become quite high. Ideally, arrangements will be made to handle large volumes separately from the collection or curbside programs.

Cabarrus County, North Carolina, offers useful language for how to promote the program to businesses, but at the same time divert large volumes from the collection events. Their strategy is to make separate arrangements with the vendor to go to the business or other large volume customer. This is an excellent strategy for dealing with these materials.

By including the non-residential sector, you may be confronted with security issues and program demands that residents are unlikely to require. Sometimes businesses, government and institutional customers have security and end- of -life hazardous waste liability concerns. They may need to have their computers shredded and the metals recovered as the preferred end- of -life management strategy. Reuse may not be an acceptable option for them, and they may also want to know that you are obtaining a certificate of recycling from the processor.

What Legal Requirements must be satisfied?

Federal Requirements Only

The CRTs in color computer monitors and televisions are often hazardous when discarded because they contain lead. Although the lead is probably not an environmental problem while the monitor or television is intact, the lead may leach out under conditions typical of municipal landfills. Facilities and communities that are disposing or recycling used CRTs should always check with their state environmental agency about state regulatory requirements, which may be different from federal regulatory requirements.

Households: Used computer monitors or televisions generated by households are not considered hazardous waste and are not regulated under federal regulations.

Donation or Resale: monitors and televisions destined for continued use are not considered hazardous wastes.

Small Quantities Exempt: Businesses and other organizations are not regulated under most federal requirements if the facility discards less than 100 kilograms (about 220 pounds, or less than 5 CRTs) per month of hazardous waste, including used CRTs. These wastes go to a facility authorized to receive solid waste.

Large Quantities: Wastes from facilities that generate over 100 kilograms per month of hazardous waste are regulated under federal law when disposed. CRTs from such facilities sent for disposal (not reuse or recycling) must be manifested and sent as "hazardous waste" to a permitted hazardous waste landfill. CRTs sent far recycling from such facilities are also currently subject to federal regulation; however, EPA is in the process of streamlining requirements to make it easier and less costly to send CRTs for recycling. A proposed rule to this effect will be issued shortly. In the meantime, some states are addressing this issue by handling these materials as "Universal waste" thereby reducing the management requirements applicable to the recycling of CRTs.

This discussion summarizes current (Oct. 2001) relevant federal regulatory requirements. For the complete federal hazardous waste requirements for generators, consult 40 CFR Parts 260-262. In spring 2002, EPA is expected to propose new regulations pertaining to CRTs. EPAs office of solid and hazardous waste is working to streamline regulations to promote CRT reuse and recycling. The proposed rule will make it easier to collect, transport and recycle end- of-life CRTs.

Facilities that are disposing or recycling CRTs should always consult their state regulatory requirements, which may be different from federal regulatory requirements.

State Requirements

This is truly a state- by-state situation. It is important to find out from your state environmental agency if there are legal requirements more stringent than the federal regulations pertaining to the collection of used electronics for recycling. In addition, there may be permit requirements for in-state recyclers. If this is the case, be sure that any vendor you contract with has the appropriate permits to operate in your state. On the other hand, if EPA authorizes your state for handling CRTs as a Universal waste, the requirements could be less onerous.

Local Requirements

In addition to state laws pertaining to the purchasing process by government units, many local governments have local procurement requirements. There may also be local waste management laws or regulations.

Who will manage the Program?
Determine who will be involved in the management and day-to-day operations of the electronics collection program. Consider what resources the municipality can provide to support the program. For example, answer the following questions taking into account the specifics of your community.

Is there a solid waste manager or operator available to manage the program?
Is there a physical location under government ownership available, and permitted, for collection and storage?
Are there municipal resources for collection, i.e., labor, truck, storage area, etc.?
Are the finances in place for an electronics program?
Are there local political reasons why maintaining day-to-day responsibility for the program is important?
Who provides the bulky waste handling system now?
Municipal curbside? Contracted curbside? Collection? None of the above?
Is there a charge for bulky waste pickup?
Is your community accustomed to special collection events, i.e., Christmas trees, textiles, and household hazardous waste?

Is there a Role for Partnerships?
Developing partnerships for managing or funding the program might be a viable option depending on the objectives of your program. To identify potential partners, think about your community and which organizations and companies might be interested in the objectives that you defined for your program. Following is a list of potential candidates.

Electronics retailers
Electronics recyclers
Solid waste haulers
Local companies
Charities
Reuse companies
Manufacturers of electronics (including phones, etc.)
Software companies, and
Television / electronics repair shops...

Before contacting these entities, have a clear idea of what you want from them, such as in-kind contributions, use of space, funding, advertising, the cachet of their name, discount coupons as an incentive, etc. Also be prepared to explain why you are contacting them in particular, how they will benefit from the partnership, and why this program is important to their industry and the region.

While securing partners for ongoing events may be more difficult (because of the longer term financial commitment) than for special events, be sure to try to create these relationships anyway. As the North Dakota Waste Recovery Project process proceeds, we can hope that more private sector recycling partnerships and opportunities will arise.

Having a partner and the type of partner you work with affects the character and tenor of the event. It will also effect public perception of the program. Reuse programs can contribute a "feel good" element that encourages people to participate in the program-they may even pay a fee as long as they are convinced that some societal good will come of it, such as job training, computers for the economically disadvantaged, etc.

Some of the most successful partnerships have been with charities. In North Dakota, for example, *Internet Seniors, Mindfire Studios, and Computers for Schools are working collaboratively with several communities to offer electronics collection, reuse, and recycling.

Following are the different collection methods
Diversity in collection methods allows communities to compare strategies. Some collections are more successful and/or more cost effective than others. The following are successful collection methods

One-Day and Multi-Day Drop Off Events
On specific dates and times, the public brings obsolete products to specified sites. The sites are generally logical places for events such as a municipal garage, city hall, churches, and other public places.

Drop-Off Opportunities at HHW Sites
These events, held at permanent or mobile household hazardous waste sites, collect used electronics in conjunction with an event to collect other household hazardous wastes such as oil, paint, and pesticides.

Drop-Off at Other Permanent Facilities
Permanent recycling centers, garbage transfer stations, and landfills, in addition to accepting municipal waste from waste haulers, also accept waste and other items from individuals.

Neighborhood Clean-Up Events
Neighborhood clean-up events are generally held once or twice per year, in the spring or fall, and accept items from residents that are generally difficult to get rid of and that people do not mind storing until an opportunity to recycle or dispose of them is made available.

Retail Collections Sites
Retailers provide limited labor and support to collect used electronics. Retail sites are restricted to residential use. Businesses are given the Electronics Recycling Guide.