Office of Governmentwide Policy U.S. General Services Administration Environmental Benefits of Reuse Part II Bob Holcombe Program Director Personal Property Management Policy (MTA) Office of Travel, Transportation and Asset Management
2 eWaste Wikipedia An estimated 50 million tons of E-waste is produced each year. The USA discards 30 million computers each year. The Environmental Protection Agency estimates that only 15-20% of e-waste is recycled, the rest of these electronics go directly into landfills and incinerators. What’s The Problem?
3 eWaste Time Magazine website
4 eWaste Time Magazine website
5 eWaste What GSA is Doing Globally Participation in conversation on eWaste and electronic stewardship. Impact on consumers and producers. Nationally Leadership and participation in public policy forums. Regulations will reflect new policies and ideas. Locally Emphasis on “reuse is recycling”. Improved asset management structure and accountability system. Personal sustainability challenge.
6 eWaste
7 Possible Solution: Encourage the transfer of unusable electronics to “Certified” Recyclers and Refurbishers For example: Responsible Recyclers (R2) eStewards Others?
8 What’s in your future? Update on Interagency Task Force on Electronic Stewardship
China Health and Environment
China Health Risks
Ghana Danger and a Challenge to Reuse
12 Federal Policy Hierarchy Guidance, Standards, and Best Practices Agency Policy GSA Regulations and Policy Federal Law (40 USC) U.S. Constitution Other Governmentwide PolicyAgency-specific Authorities
13 GSA and the Federal Asset Management Environment The Federal Government owns personal property assets valued over $1.3 Trillion. Policies and Best Practices – GSA OGP. Operations – GSA FAS.
14 Personal Property Personal Property covers all property, except land and buildings (real property), Federal records, and large naval vessels. Policies encourage use within the acquiring agency, other federal agencies and public bodies before being sold. Some agencies have unique laws.
15 Special Disposal Considerations Hazardous materials and waste – Policy in collaboration with the Environmental Protection Agency and the White House (CEQ and OFEE).
16 The “Normal” Disposal Process In-Use Sale DonationSalesExcess Reassigned within the Agency Disposal at any stage: Non-federal transfers; Abandoned/Destroyed; and Lost Exchange/Sale – $546M (2010) Donated - $411M (2010) Transferred to other agencies $552M (2010) Acquisition Selected Disposal Methods: Sold - $1.43B (2010 gross proceeds)
17 General Property Regulations TopicWhere it can be found GeneralFMR – Good place to start Utilization FMR Donation FMR SaleFMR Exchange/saleFMR Special HandlingFPMR (FMR Pending) Abandoned/forfeitedFMR Foreign Gifts FMR Supply/ProcurementSubchapter E (FPMR) (FMR to 50 Pending)
18 General Property Bulletins TopicWhere it can be found Annual Reports Bulletin B-27 Accountability of Property Bulletin B-26 Property Acquired w/Charge Card Bulletin B-25 Use of Voluntary Consensus Bulletin B-18 Standards Stewardship of Property Bulletin B-17 Use of Photographs in Disposal Bulletin B-14 Use of Exchange/Sale Bulletin B-13 Disposal of Electronic Equipment Bulletin B-4
19 Guidance, Standards, and Best Practices GSA Publishes Guidance in Several Areas Bulletins Management Review Guides Flashes Voluntary Consensus Standards are Published by ASTM and cover many property management areas. Best Practices can be obtained through collaboration with GSA and other Federal Agencies and Benchmarking.
20 Other Policies Stevenson-Wydler (15 USC 3710 et seq) Allows transfers of research equipment directly to certain institutions. Executive Order – Computers for Learning Allows transfers of computers and related equipment to schools and educational institutions, as well as encourages agencies to assist schools in setting up their IT infrastructure.
21 Other Policies Sales of Scrap under Public Law Allows retention of proceeds related to recycling programs OMB Circulars and Executive Orders For example; OMB Circular A-126 – Management and Use of Government Aircraft Executive Orders covering Green programs, Real Property Management, Internal Controls, and Grants.
22 Contact Information Bob Holcombe (202) (202) (main office)