Electronics Reuse and Recycling
 Most
homes in Arkansas have at least one television and a computer, as well
as several other consumer electronics devices. Most Arkansas businesses
and industries rely on electronics in their work. From banking to the
traffic signals on city streets, electronic equipment makes our world
comfortable and productive. But what happens to all of these electronics
when they break down or no longer serve the users’ needs? They become
part of the fastest growing component of our daily solid waste stream –
electronic waste, commonly referred to as e-waste.
Many electronics contain elements – lead, mercury, and cadmium for
example – that are safe when the items are used as directed, but can be
hazardous if disposed of in household trash and compacted at landfills.
Televisions and CRT (cathode ray tube) monitors contain an average of
four pounds of lead and could contain double that amount depending on
size and make. Mercury from electronics has been cited as a leading
source of mercury in municipal waste. The largest source of cadmium in
municipal waste is rechargeable nickel-cadmium (NiCd) batteries,
commonly found in laptops, cell phones and cameras. In addition,
brominated flame-retardants are commonly added to plastics used in
electronics. If improperly handled, these toxins can be released into
the environment, posing a threat to human health.
Realizing the potential effects on Arkansas’ environment and people,
the state Legislature gave ADEQ the authority to ban electronic waste
from Arkansas’ municipal solid waste landfills beginning in January,
2010. Until then, residents can dispose of e-waste with other household
items unless restricted by local landfills. Non-household generators,
such as businesses and government offices, may be subject to
hazardous waste rules. (Consumer electronics are generally handled
as universal wastes.) The Department of Environmental Quality has worked
and will continue to work to provide alternatives for everyone in the
state. As with other materials, the agency encourages you to explore the
three R’s – reduction, reuse and recycling – of e-waste.
- Reduce – Smart purchasing and proper maintenance can extend the
life of your equipment.
- When possible, upgrade your equipment instead of purchasing a whole
new unit.
- Purchase a quality monitor that you can keep to use with the next
computer you purchase.
- Lease equipment so you can trade it in at the end of the lease or
when you are ready for new technology.
- Protect your equipment by using a surge protector and keeping
equipment covered.
- Reuse – Equipment that does not meet your current needs may be
perfect for someone else.
- Purchase used equipment if it is available and meets your needs.
- Donate unwanted equipment to local charities or organizations to
be used for teaching tools or activity centers for after school
programs.
- Contact your local school district or library to see if it can use
some or all of your equipment.
- Even equipment that is no longer working may be useful to others
for parts or technical training.
- Explore other avenues of reuse.
- Recycle – Most electronic equipment can be recycled, but not
necessarily in your local area.
- Contact your
regional solid waste management district, local elected
officials or sanitation department to see if your community has an
electronics recycling center or is planning a one-day collection
event.
- Check the paperwork that came with the equipment or the
manufacturer’s web site for recycling information and costs.
- If the manufacturer of your equipment does not have a recycling
program, check the Internet for other recycling options. Some
manufacturers will accept competitor’s equipment in their recycling
programs.
- Spent rechargeable Nickel-Cadmium (NiCd) batteries can be recycled
through many retail outlets. Find out where you can recycle them
using the consumer information at www.rbrc.org.
- Discover other recycling
options.
For more information, contact:
Robert Hunter
(501) 682-0814
hunter@adeq.state.ar.us
Reuse Options If your unwanted electronics are extremely
out-of-date or are not working, you will probably need to look at
recycling. Otherwise, the first choice for reuse should be any local
entities that would take them for reuse or resale. For instance, there
may be a used electronics store that would take them on consignment or
actually pay you for the items. Charitable thrift stores, including
national programs such as Salvation Army or Goodwill, may also take them
off your hands. Check your local telephone book for possibilities in
your area. There are a number of organizations that collect cellular
telephones for reuse or recycling, and you might see drop boxes at one
or more local businesses. One of these organizations is The Wireless
Foundation – www.wirelessfoundation.org – which collects and distributes
cellular phones for domestic safety programs. Click on “Call to Protect”
in the left column for more information and to find a drop-off location
in your area. Using the Internet is another way to find reuse options
for your old electronics. Some of the most useful match available
electronics (and sometimes other items) with organizations that can use
them. There are a number of matching services you can check out,
including:
- iLoveSchools.com is a free donor-matching service for education.
School teachers request materials and supplies; potential donors
search for teachers in need of their gift of classroom equipment,
materials or supplies. For more information, go to
www.iloveschools.com/.
- Every day, across America and around the world, National
Cristina Foundation is working to ensure that used computer
technology resources that no longer meet an enterprise's or an
individual's needs are given a second productive life as a tool for
developing human potential. Go to the foundation’s Web site -
www.cristina.org/ - to see if your computer meets their needs.
- Share the Technology’s national database lists computer donation
requests and offers throughout the United States and in other
countries. E-mail Share the Technology at
recycle@sharetechnology.org
or check its Web site at
sharetechnology.org for more information.
Recycling Options
Computers and other old electronics are accepted at some
household hazardous waste collection centers and some
recycling centers in the state. Call the one closest to you for more information.
Earth 911 – www.earth911.org
– lists a variety of recycling options based on ZIP code. Scroll down
the main page and click on cell phone and computer recycling to see if
there is anything in your area.
Several electronics recycling businesses service Arkansas. Contact
the following for details about their services and fees.
Many computer manufacturers will recycle computer equipment for a
fee. Some will accept only their own products; others will accept
equipment from any manufacturer. (Several major electronics suppliers –
including Panasonic, Sony and Toshiba – participate in special
electronics recycling events, but do not have on-going recycling
programs. Toshiba and NEC also have trade-in programs when you purchase
new products from them.) Check the manufacturer’s Web site for details:
Some cell phone manufacturers also have recycling programs in
place. Most of these programs are free; they may even earn money for
schools or charities.
In addition, many stores that sell cellular phones will
accept them for recycling or reuse. Ask about recycling when you
purchase a new cell phone. Additional Resources
EIA Consumer Education Initiative (CEI) –
www.eiae.org –
The Electronic Industries Alliance (EIA), a trade association
for the electronics industry, has developed the Consumer
Education Initiative Web site to help households and small
businesses find environmentally responsible options for donating
and recycling electronics in their community. This web site also
provides information on what member companies are doing to
incorporate environmental attributes into electronic products.
International Association of Electronics Recyclers (IAER)
– www.iaer.org/search/ – IAER has an online directory of
electronics recyclers. This database is ideal for large
organizations that are looking for a company to handle used
electronics. The IAER web site also has information on
electronics recycling news and industry events.
Wireless … The New Recyclable –
www.recyclewirelessphones.com – is working to reduce the
environmental effects of wireless communication products. A
program of the CTIA – The Wireless Association, the Web site
provides information about environmental programs, including
recycling, of member organizations and companies.
ElectronicXchange.Org –
www.electronicexchange.org – is a
non-profit clearinghouse for businesses and government agencies
looking for information about electronic equipment recycling and
recovery. Registered users can submit information about
equipment that is available or wanted for recycling.
Registration is free for this site operated by the Southern
Waste Information eXchange (SWIX).
EPA’s Product Stewardship Program –
www.epa.gov/epr/ –
EPA’s Product Stewardship program encourages environmentally
sustainable management of a variety of products, including
electronics. Visit the program’s web site for information about
electronics stewardship projects that are occurring across the
country.
National Recycling Coalition (NRC) –
www.nrc-recycle.org
– NRC is a non-profit group dedicated to advancing recycling and
source reduction. NRC’s Electronics Recycling Initiative web
site contains information on procurement and other electronics
recycling issues. |
