1 Recycling Electronics: the R2 Effort Karen Pollard EPA, Office of Resource Conservation & Recovery June, 2009

2 Growth of Electronics Use in the Federal Government The Federal Government is expected to spend 75 billion for IT goods and services in It’s estimated that the Federal Government purchases about a million computers, laptops and monitors per year.

3 Management of Used and End-of-Life Electronics Consumer electronics comprise about 1.2% of the MSW stream A 220% increase in the number of electronics discarded from was found. The 2007 national recycling rate: –18% of TVs and computers – 10% of cell phones FEC 2008 Results 194,806 units generated 14,896 units to GSA 3,630 units disposed Reuse Rate = 49% Recycling Rate = 42% Units: Computers, laptops & monitors

4 EPA’s Interest in End-of-Life Electronics Three concerns: 1)Rapid growth in the use & obsolescence 2)Opportunity to recover large amounts of embodied energy and valuable materials inherent in used electronics 3)Ensure that recycling is done in an environmentally safe manner

5 Environmental Benefits of Reuse & Recycling Reuse: extends the life of the product; increasing use from the energy & material inputs Recycling: recovers materials – metals, glass, plastics – reducing the extraction and processing of virgin resources

6 Environmental Benefits of Recycling In 2007, the US recycled 414,000 tons of electronics resulting in… Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Reductions: 974,000 MTCO 2 E, equivalent to the annual emissions from more than 178,000 passenger vehicles. Energy Savings: 18 trillion BTUs, equivalent to the energy content of 140 million gallons of gasoline. Benefits from FEC In 2008, FEC reused/ recycled 172,920 computers, monitors & laptops resulting in equivalents of… GHG Reductions: Removing 13,000 cars from the road for a year. Energy Savings: Saving enough electricity to power 30,500 US households for a year

7 Increasing Safe Reuse and Recycling To recognize these benefits and promote greater electronics product stewardship, we’re working to: Increase reuse and recycling of used electronics Ensure that management of used electronics is safe and environmentally sound; and

8 Responsible Recycling Practices (R2) Stakeholder effort to develop one set of practices. Sets a high “bar” for environmental and worker protection. –Very few recyclers can meet at present As R2 gains footing in the marketplace, an increasing amount of used electronics will be managed by recyclers that adhere to sound practices. Why Certification?  Electronics recyclers want a way to highlight environmentally sound recyclers  Purch as ers want an easy way to find recyclers that use sound recycling practices  EPA wants to increase SAFE electronics recycling ;

9 Status: R2 Practices Development is complete, released on October 31, 2008 Posted on the internet at als/ecycling/r2practices.htm als/ecycling/r2practices.htm EPA is encouraging recyclers to conform their practices to the document Developers are discussing how best to keep the practices current and relevant

10 Stakeholder Process Document was drafted by neutral facilitator in a consensus process Versions were discussed by working group and revised by facilitator R2 was reviewed by 4 auditors to assure auditability R2 was field tested at 6 recyclers EPA’s help getting documentation from foreign countries was tested

11 Scope of R2 Practices Voluntary set of practices - recyclers are not required to be certified to R2 Covers electronics equipment including: –computers, peripherals, cell phones & televisions Materials getting specific “focus” include equipment and components containing: –Cathode Ray Tubes –Circuit boards –Batteries –Items containing mercury/PCBs

12 Essential “R2” Concepts Reuse and Recycling Required – Disposal of focus materials only in exceptional circumstances On-site Worker & Environmental Protection – On-going hazard identification & assessment of risks – Special handling for focus materials Downstream Due-Diligence for Focus Materials – Includes exports – Written focus material management plan for recyclers & downstream vendors

13 Essential “R2” Continued… Evidence of Legality of Export & Import –Documentation must be from the Government Comprehensive Management System – Includes, environmental, health and safety concepts – Written programs using “Plan-Do- Check-Act” model for continual improvement Compliance with all Laws and Rules

14 R2 Continued… Destroy, purge or sanitize data from memory; –NIST Guidelines for Media Sanitation , or other standard or certification program Track throughput and recordkeeping; –Business records of all transfers of equipment and materials into and out of facility Store and transport materials securely and safely; and Possess insurance, closure plans and financial mechanisms to cover the potential risks of the facility.

15 Details on Exports R2 requires exports of focus materials to be legal and responsible, by having: Recycler’s responsibility extends to conducting due diligence on “focus materials” to international markets; and Recycler must show documentation that export of any focus material to any non- OECD country is legal –Law or court ruling; –Letter from the competent authority; or –Request documentation from EPA Export Markets  Reuse allows usable electronics to be used in developing countries  e-Scrap exported to countries can be used in manufacturing new equipment  US has no smelters or glass furnaces to refine copper/precious metals from circuit boards or produce new CRT glass

16 Other information EPA will replace the Plug-In To eCycling guide with R2 practices R2 does not preclude the use of prison labor in electronics recycling –R2 wants anyone who recycles to follow the same practices BAN and ETBC have embarked on their own effort to put together practices and certification program

17 Certification Process - Who Watches Who Facility: Certified by auditor if meets AND continues to meet R2 Auditors: Conducts audits at the facility Certifying Bodies: Oversee auditors –Develops R2 specific certification –Hires and trains auditors –Makes certification decisions ANAB: Oversees CBs –Develops accreditation program –Accredits and audits CBs –Ensures CBs follow ISO 17021

18 Status: Certifying to R2 ANSI-ASQ National Accreditation Board “ANAB” has convened a committee to develop requirements for Certifying Bodies for R2 Next Steps: 1.ANAB board approve requirements 2.CBs get accredited to R2 3.Recyclers volunteer to be certified ANAB expects that some certified recyclers will be available late Fall/Winter 2009 Certification  Independent programs will certify recyclers to the R2 practices.  Certified recyclers will display a certificate that includes ANAB and R2.  There will be no “EPA certified e-recyclers”

19 Questions? Please contact me at: Karen Pollard