Welcome to the NC Division of Pollution Prevention and Environmental Assistance’s (DPPEA’s) Electronics Recycling Workshop John Blaisdell, Recycling Business Assistance Center (RBAC)

How do you get people to attend a recycling workshop??  Talk about something somewhat “controversial”

What makes electronics recycling “controversial?”  Toxic components  Lots in storage  Lack of current affordable options  Disagreement over who should pay  Ultimate disposal after reuse/recycling

Recent Local Press  Article: “Technology’s Toxic Waste,” News and Observer, September 18,  Editorial: “Newfangled Slag” News and Observer, September 30,  Article: “Cary Set to Recycle PCs,” News and Observer, October 7,  Editorials- “A Vast Wasteland,” News and Observer, October 11, 2000.

SWIX’s Involvement  Southern Waste Information eXchange or SWIX is a non-profit information clearinghouse  Were recently contracted with EPA Region 4 to put on a southeast regional electronics recycling workshop in Atlanta  We brought that program to NC

Market Assessment  The Issues:  Generation  Toxicity  Collection and Processing Infrastructure

Breakdown of Disposed Waste Stream

Overview  Generation: Market Assessment: Estimates of the Amount of Electronics Requiring Disposal Residential Electronics25,164 26,699 Workplace Electronics25,164 26,699 Total50,328 53,398 Sources: 1) OECD = Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development 2) MADEP = Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection 3) MCC = Microelectronics and Computer Technology Corporation 4) CMU = Carnegie Mellon University

Toxicity  Disproportionately large amount of toxicity relative to the tons of waste generated.  Lead in monitors is most concerning

Equipment Obsolescence  Flat Screen technology  Conversion to Digital Television  More new devices  Hand Held Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs), Telephone/Computer/Television combinations

Markets Directory of Markets for Recyclable Materials: 35 Companies Categories: -Electronics Equipment and Scrap -Computer Equipment -Monitors-Cathode Ray Tubes -Computer Disks-CD and Floppy -Audio/Video/Computer Reels -Telecommunications Equipment -Televisions Web Site:

Larger Businesses & Institutions vs. Residential Collection  Businesses  Newer, more standardized equipment  Somewhat motivated by RCRA requirements  Underserved by recycling services, but better than residential  Residential Collection  Older, less standardized equipment  Underserved by recycling services

State Surplus  The State Surplus Property Computer Center: computrs.htm  Contact: Jeff Nance (919)

NC’s Strategy  Workshops to begin education process  Consider policy options and make recommendations to our Secretary  Publicize RCRA requirements to generators and landfills  Small grants to fund several residential collection  Technical/financial assistance through the DPPEA and it’s partners

Policies, Programs, Options, and Topics  Advanced Disposal Fee (ADF) for consumers  Disposal ban  Infrastructure development through targeted grant rounds (funding?)  Private Sector  Public Sector

Policies, Programs, Options, and Topics  Collection events for residents  Take back for Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs)  Mandatory or voluntary elimination of toxic components by OEMs  Recycled content purchases, leasing, etc. for state agencies

Financial and Technical Assistance:  Small grants available for local governments in FY 01 / 02 as part of SWRAGs  Private Sector Funding:  Sustainable Jobs Fund  Self Help  Web page for more info:

Technical Assistance - Coming Soon:  Electronics Industry Sector Information:  DPPEA’s main Web site:  Direct link:

Short term question that is most important:  Who should pay?  Consumers  Government Entities  Federal Govt.  State  Local Governments  Electronic Product Manufacturers

More Information  View this presentation online at:  Siting a facility in North Carolina:  John Blaisdell, NC DPPEA (919) or