Universal Waste Program

Sharon Ricketts Williams, Recycling Coordinator VA Illiana Health Care System Danville, IL 61832 Sharon.Williams3@med.va.gov

Universal Waste is defined by the Illinois EPA as batteries, pesticides, thermostats & lamps at this time. Computers and/or electronics have not been added to the list. VA Illiana Healthcare System remains ahead of the curve addressing recycling of these universal waste items.

Computers Many usable items that no longer have a function at VA Illiana Health Care System can find homes at other VA’s, State Facilities, or local veterans groups and schools. Disbursing useful equipment to other entities provides disposition cost avoidance.

VAIHCS has exceeded environmental compliance requirements by achieving 100% computer equipment recycling for five years.

FISCAL YEAR NO. of SYSTEMS MISC EQUIPMENT COST AVOIDANCE AT $30 PER SYTEM COST AVOIDANCE AT $120 PER SYSTEM 1998 59 systems $1770 $7080 1999 13 systems $390 $1560 2000 83 system $2490 $9960 2001 31 systems $930 $3720 2002 113 systems $3390 $13,560 2003 138 systems $4140 $16,560 2004 151 systems/9 laptop,56 PC’s sold; 30 recycled $7380 $29,520 TOTALS 1034 $20,490 $81,960

Cost Avoidance Provided a 7-year, overall cost avoidance of $20,490 to $81,960 based upon NEPSI (National Electronics Product Stewardship Initiative) figures of $30 per system disposition and contracted vendor service charges (i.e. hard drive sanitization, de-installation and asset tracking) totaling $120 per system

Our stewardship efforts are demonstrated through policy modification, streamlined de-installation and sanitization procedures, paperwork accountability, inter-service support and cooperation, using varied and innovative methodologies to prevent solid waste and toxic substances contamination to our earth. Our reward for our contribution is knowing a teacher’s ability to teach and our school children’s learning capabilities are enhanced.

Disposition costs of various electronics items are avoided by utilizing computerized equipment scrap sales, an annual county sponsored electronic recycling event, and donation of usable computer equipment.

The first associated recycling cost realized in five years totaled $27 for disposition of unusable monitors during FY’03. Deinstallation, sanitization and asset tracking are in-house services performed by employees during daily jobs. Transportation costs incurred for disposition are minimal, recycling event location is held two miles away.

Batteries All batteries are sent to centralized locations for pick up. Batteries are segregated, nicad from mercury, packed in plastic buckets and stored until vendor picks up. Certification of recycling is issued by the recycler processing batteries. Shop tool battery packs and large equipment batteries are exchanged/repacked during purchase.

Fluorescent tubes Spent fluorescent tubes are taken to a designated area and inserted into empty new tube packaging. The packages are packed into boxes or containers awaiting pick up.

BYOB (Be Your Own Broker) Researching vendors for your recycling materials can take time but provides good payoff. Remember, a cost avoidance can be worth more than earning $$ for your recyclable materials.

Questions? Comments? Contact Sharon Williams at Sharon.Williams3@med.va.gov or phone 217.554.5667.