1. Overcoming Challenges Faced by Electronics Recyclers
Workshop on E-waste Recycling and Refurbishing: Environmentally Sound Management Practices
Overcoming Challenges Faced by Electronics Recyclers
Joseph C. Yob, Jr.
Vice President
Creative Recycling Systems, Inc.
Guadalajara, Mexico February 15–16

2. Take Aways From This Presentation:
1. Working definition of the term electronic device.
2. Working definition of the term electronics recycling.
3. Working definition of the term electronics recycling system.
4. Sample decision diagrams for User End-of-Life (EOL) Electronics.
5. Sample procedure diagram for User End-of-Life (EOL) Electronics.

3. Source of Definitions and Decision Diagrams
This image is of a book cover, and the copyright for it is most likely owned either by the artist who created the cover or the publisher of the book. It is believed that the use of low-resolution images of a book cover qualifies as fair use under United States copyright law. Other use of this image elsewhere might be copyright infringement.

4. A Working Definition of Electronic Device.
Electronic Device: An Electronic device is a product, a piece of equipment, and/or a mechanism utilizing electric circuits in which electron flow is controlled in a manner designed to serve a special purpose or perform a special function by the methods or principles of electronics. Examples are computers, data processing equipment, communications equipment, integrated circuits, semiconducutors, display devices, and other like products and equipment.
From: “Recycling Electronic Devices, McGraw-Hill Recycling Handbook, 2nd Edition”

5. Working Definition of Electronics Recycling.
Electronics recycling is defined as the diversion of end-of-life/surplus electronic devices from the waste stream by the re-use and/or recycling of electronic devices. It is essentially a front-end waste prevention process. A new model is needed for this process: Wastes are materials that do not have a cost-effective use based on a cost-benefit analysis. As shall latter be demonstrated, an appropriate cost-benefit analysis reveals that in fact few electronic devices should be classified as waste.
From: “Recycling Electronic Devices, McGraw-Hill Recycling Handbook, 2nd Edition”

6. A Working Definition Electronics Recycling System
Electronics Recycling System: An electronics recycling system is a cost-benefit controlled management process that utilizes end-of-life/surplus electronic devices as resources …to recover the greatest return from the materials at the lowest possible cost while complying with applicable envirionmental laws and regulations.
From: “Recycling Electronic Devices, McGraw-Hill Recycling Handbook, 2nd Edition”

7. 1st Step: Is System (Device) Usable?
From: “Recycling Electronic Devices, McGraw-Hill Recycling Handbook, 2nd Edition”

8. 2nd Step: Are parts usable?
From: “Recycling Electronic Devices, McGraw-Hill Recycling Handbook, 2nd Edition”

9. 3rd Step: Are automated shredding facilities available?
From: “Recycling Electronic Devices, McGraw-Hill Recycling Handbook, 2nd Edition”

10. 4th Step: Shredding/Destruction/Smelting
From: “Recycling Electronic Devices, McGraw-Hill Recycling Handbook, 2nd Edition”

11. Sample Procedure Diagram for EOL Electronics Reuse/Recycling
ADM. CONTROL
ORDER INPUT
DRIVER
RECEIVING
TRIAGE
AUTOMATED
SEPARATOR
REUSABLE
PRODUCTS TV
DEMANUFACTURING
DEMANUFACTURING
BALER
CIRCUIT BOARD
AND DATA
SECURITY
EXPORT CONTROL
SHIPPING

12. Contact Information
Joseph C.Yob, Jr.
Creative Recycling Systems, Inc.