1. The State of the Union: Electronics Recycling Infrastructure in the US
Jason Linnell
Executive Director
National Center for Electronics Recycling

2. Overview NCER Background
Current Data: What is the State of Our Current Infrastructure?
The Future: What Infrastructure Do We Need?
Infrastructure Improvement Opportunities
Developments/Conclusions

3. National Center for Electronics Recycling
Mission: coordinate initiatives targeting the recycling of end-of-life electronics in the U.S. and support actions to move towards a national system
Offices in Polymer Technology Park in Davisville, WV
501(c)3 organization working with all stakeholders
Major initiative with CEA called National Electronics Recycling Infrastructure Clearinghouse – Patchwork Study, BDMS

4. Some Big Questions
Since NEPSI, it has been common to refer to an electronics recycling "infrastructure." 
What does it mean?
# of collection points? Free or fee?
Other information needed for national system 
Management structure?
Where do we stand today? Are we close to having a “national infrastructure?”

5. What is “Infrastructure”
Infrastructure - assets of a community that include roads, sidewalks, water provision facilities, sewage removal mechanisms, alleys, street signs, pavement markings, traffic lights, storm water drainage facilities, swimming pools, museum structures, and other public buildings.
For e-recycling, we mean availability of collectors, transporters and recyclers; ability to function as a system
NEPSI Infrastructure Group: Base Level of Service, TPO, Performance Measures, Interim “System” /National Coordinating Entity (NCE)

6. What Is the State of Our Current Infrastructure?

7. Who is collecting?
Local Governments - i.e. at solid waste facilities, other public locations
Charities – limitations on acceptable equipment
Recyclers – contract w/local govt, run collection events or pickup from govt approved locations
Retailers – some pilot programs, some ongoing
Manufacturers – mail-back or recycler subsidies

8. Per Capita Collections
Massachusetts (2004)
2.94 lbs./capita (average for the 197 towns/cities reporting to the MA DEP)
California’s first program year (2005)
1.79 lbs/capita
Branford, CT (2004)
1.61 lbs./capita (CRTs only)
Kirkland, WA (2004, curbside program)
1.61lbs./capita
Snohomish County, WA (2004, transfer station)
1.71 lbs./capita
Hennepin County, MN (2005)
3.5 lbs./capita

9. Percent of Population Receiving “Free” Collection Services
About 19% of the U.S.
Currently or when legislated program is fully implemented
Includes non-legislated state/local collection opportunities such as:
Hennepin County, MN
Delaware
Fraction of MA localities not charging EOL fees

10. Percent of Population Covered by Disposal Bans
About 20% once current bans fully implemented
States with ban, but no mandated financing (yet)
MN, RI, NH, (AR)

12. Processing Infrastructure
E-Scrap News has identified hundreds of processors across the U.S.
Processing techniques and technologies utilized vary greatly
Markets for recovered materials are primarily off-shore

13. What National Infrastructure Do We Need?

14. Key Elements of the National Infrastructure
Collection Infrastructure
Processing Infrastructure
Information Infrastructure
Management Infrastructure
Used HN county, FL DEP,

15. Collection Infrastructure
Viable collection opportunities exist in some parts of the U.S.
Outside of legislated states most utilize EOL fees or government grant funds
What percentage determines how you define “viable”
If municipal recycling volumes are to increase, more consumer collection opportunities need to be developed

16. Processing Infrastructure
At a high level, adequate capacity either exists or could be developed relatively quickly to manage national-scale volumes
E-Scrap News Survey Results:
“How long would it take to double your processing capacity?”
Average response time: 3 to 4 months
Existing/potential capacity not analyzed under different levels of processing standards, but numbers would probably change
Markets for recovered materials is a long-term challenge

17. Information Infrastructure
Information across all programs
How much is being collected? How are these data tracked and managed
Is it from a local/state source (not required for national program)?
How are used electronics being managed/processed and who qualifies to process these electronics?
Processing standards
Information management and reporting systems for complying with program requirements

18. Information Infrastructure (cont.)
For ARF systems at POS
Who is selling covered products
For PP/other systems based on market share
Who is producing covered products, and in what amounts?
For PR systems based on return share
What are the brands of returned products, and in what amounts?
What company is responsible for that brand?
What % of these returns are orphan?
For other financing systems…..????

19. Management Infrastructure
Could be done by government and/or private sector
California program infrastructure
CIWMB, BOE, DTSC
Maine program infrastructure
DEP, Consolidators
Washington State program infrastructure (under development)
DOE, WMMFA, Independent Plans

20. Private Sector Management
A Third Party Organization (TPO) can offer infrastructure management, way to implement program across state lines
Included in Northeast regional model, Region 5 policy statement, WA law
Pacific NW TPO project
9 manufacturers on steering committee
Researched legal challenges, preparing business plan, gathering stakeholder input
Funding and legislative guidelines will determine TPO structure
Quasi-governmental or wholly private?
Board exclusively of OEMs, or multi-stakeholder?
Private sector management under the new Dell Policy

21. What is a TPO? Other terms: In general, TPO understood to be:
Producer Responsibility Organization (PRO)
Third Party Administrator (TPA)
Clearinghouse/Authority
In general, TPO understood to be:
Private, or semi-private organization, non-profit
Providing management of recycling system for a particular waste stream
Involving product manufacturers
But not necessarily associated with:
One type of financing mechanism, financial role
Control solely by manufacturers

22. TPO Role in Multi-State Programs
Multiple and very different state programs, lack of national program
How do we prevent/minimize duplicate costs and decreased efficiency?
TPO could theoretically run systems across state lines; but challenges:
Requires state legislatures to pass nearly identical legislation AND authorize possible out of state entity
Potential solutions: Interstate compact or tiered TPO model

23. Infrastructure Improvements: Projects and Opportunities

24. Projects and Opportunities
How can get an accurate measure of the national infrastructure?
Measurement challenges at the state level
What are the right infrastructure metrics?
Who develops the metrics
Who does the measuring
Kickoff discussion at E-Scrap Collaboration Workshop
Develop short- and long-term infrastructure development projects

25. Recent Infrastructure Developments
“Pilot fatigue” has set in, looking for permanent solution
More direct state/local govt involvement
Examples: Iowa, Chicago
Well-established programs see increasing volumes – ex Hennepin County
More retailer involvement – Wal-Mart pilots, new permanent program by Staples in WA counties

26. Conclusions
Not ready for a “drop-in” national program, more development needed
Any national program requires local involvement
Local experience with any program lacking some areas
Many disposal bans/financing programs too new to analyze
Next few years will determine effect and success
Need to work on common metrics to measure progress
Pounds per capita, per state?

27. Thank You! Jason Linnell NCER Phone: (304) 699-1008