Electronics Recycling Workshop Presented in partnership by the New Mexico Recycling Association and the National Recycling Coalition Sponsored by Intel Corporation June 7, 2002
Why is e-waste the #1 Recycling Problem?
Proliferation of e-products
Source: Stanford Resources, 1999 Forecast of U.S. PC CPU Shipments,
Why is e-waste the #1 Recycling Problem? Proliferation of e-products +
Why is e-waste the #1 Recycling Problem? Proliferation of e-products + Increasingly short life-spans
Source: Stanford Resources, 1999 Average Product Lifespan (in years) ProductFirst LifeTotal Lifespan Desktop PC Desktop PC Desktop PC – Pentium I34-5 Desktop PC – Pentium II Mainframe computer77 Workstation computer4-5 CRT Computer Monitor46-7 CRT TV56-7 Notebook PC2-34 Computer peripherals35
Source: Stanford Resources, 1999 Lifespan of PCs
Obsolete PCs in the U.S., Year Units Shipped [M] Average Lifespan Share of PCs Lasting Number of Obsolete [M] 4 years3 years2 years %60%0% %80%0% %90%0% %80%20% %60%40% %40%60% %20%80% %10%90% % 100% % 100% % 100%61 Total500
Source: Stanford Resources, 1999 Forecast of U.S. PC CPU Shipments, Obsolescence and Recycling
Why is e-waste the #1 Recycling Problem? Proliferation of e-products + Increasingly short life-spans +
Why is e-waste the #1 Recycling Problem? Proliferation of e-products + Increasingly short life-spans + Toxic material constituents
Information compiled from multiple sources. Potentially Toxic Materials in PCs MaterialUse/LocationHealth Effects LeadMetal joining, radiation/CRT, PWB (printed wiring board) Damage to nervous and circulatory system, and kidneys; serious adverse effects on brain development MercuryBatteries, switches/housing, PWB Chronic brain, kidney, lung and fetal damage; effects on brain function and memory; a possible human carcinogen CadmiumBattery, blue-green phosphor emitter/housing, PWB, CRT Pulmonary damage, kidney disease, bone fragility; likely human carcinogen ArsenicDoping agent in transistors/PWB Allergic reactions, nausea, vomiting, decreased red and white blood cell production BerylliumThermal conductivity, PWB, connectors Lung damage, allergic reactions, chronic beryllium disease; likely human carcinogen
Why is e-waste the #1 Recycling Problem? Proliferation of e-products + Increasingly short life-spans + Toxic material constituents +
Why is e-waste the #1 Recycling Problem? Proliferation of e-products + Increasingly short life-spans + Toxic material constituents + No cogent strategy for end-of-life management
Why is e-waste the #1 Recycling Problem? Proliferation of e-products + Increasingly short life-spans + Toxic material constituents + No cogent strategy for end-of-life management =
Why is e-waste the #1 Recycling Problem? Proliferation of e-products + Increasingly short life-spans + Toxic material constituents + No cogent strategy for end-of-life management = Big Problem
Response to the Problem Local governments mobilizing to prevent wholesale disposal of e-waste State governments beginning to regulate and mandate potential solutions Federal government proposing to declassify CRTs as hazardous waste OEM’s and retailers implementing patchwork of programs to take back e-waste Stakeholders convening under National Electronics Product Stewardship Initiative Electronic recycling enterprises and donation centers ramping up
Current Status of Electronics Recycling Infrastructure Electronic recycling industry taking shape; most operations are independent, small- scale, labor intensive and regional
Stanford Resources, 1999 Distribution of Electronic Recyclers Sampled, Percent of Total by Region
Stanford Resources, 1999 Distribution of Recyclers Sampled, by Number of Employees
Current Status of Electronics Recycling Infrastructure Independent electronic recyclers industry taking shape; most operations are small- scale, labor intensive and regional
Current Status of Electronics Recycling Infrastructure Independent electronic recyclers industry taking shape; most operations are small- scale, labor intensive and regional Generators’ access to recycling varies by size, quality of used product stream, ability to pay, and geography
Recovery Options by Generator Type Generator: Large Corporations/Organizations/Agencies Options: Asset management/leasing opportunities with OEMs or equipment vendors Contracts with recyclers for material pick-up, processing and indemnification against future liability
Recovery Options by Generator Type Generator: Small Businesses/Organizations Options: Limited asset management/leasing opportunity Limited municipal recovery Onus on generator to identify recycler and arrange for material pick-up/delivery
Recovery Options by Generator Type Generator: Residential Options: Collection programs increasingly available Local reuse options Potential for product return to retailers and/or OEMs
Key Unresolved Issues Who should bear/share program costs? How do we differentiate between “legitimate” and “illegitimate” recycling, particularly overseas?