Metech power point tristan

An Examination of the E-waste Problem
Tristan Burt, Nebraska Manager
Metech Recycling
Metech Recycling Slide

What IS E-waste??? Electronic waste or e-waste is the rapidly expanding volume of obsolete computers, printers, fax machines, TVs, and other electronic devices finding its way into the waste stream of the US and other countries. - If you can’t use it, sell it, or repair it than it becomes e-waste Metech Recycling Slide

How Much E-waste Is There?
e-waste is a recent phenomenon
130 million cell phones discarded in the US in 2005
60-65 million PCs become obsolete every year in the US
EPA estimate – 1.9 million tons of e-waste landfilled in 2000 (EXCLUDING electric appliances)
3 – 5% of material in landfills
growing 3 times the rate of other waste
Estimated 600+ million tons of computers/TVs and other electronics waiting in “e-waste purgatory”

What’s the Problem with E-waste? I – Electronic devices are full of toxic material especially Computers, monitors & TVs
CRTs contain 4 - 12 lbs of lead and account for 40% of all lead in landfills
computers contain a variety of other toxic metals
e-waste accounts for 70% of heavy metals in landfills
incinerating computer plastics generates toxic emissions (dioxins, chlorinated gasses)

Metech Recycling Slide Toxic Content of E-waste

What Happens to our E-Waste? 2007
United States Generated 3.01 million tons of electronics waste
86.4% or 2.6 million tons TRASHED ending up in landfills or incinerators
13.6% or 410,000 tons recovered for recycling
Estimated that 50-80% of the recycled material ends up in developing countries for processing.

What Happens to E-waste? Markets for EOL Monitors and TVs
EPA Report – April 2007
For the Year 2005:
> Resale in U.S. 5%
> Glass to Glass Recycling in U.S. 2%
> Glass to Lead Smelting in U.S. 6%
> Glass to Glass Abroad 14%
> Exported for “Reuse” 61%
The reality is that less than 10% ever used again

So its bad stuff – Why should I care if China gets polluted with our old electronics? Metech Recycling Slide I mean, they’re like, halfway around the world!!!

We Exist in a Global Economy
80% of children living in Guai, China suffering from lead poisoning due to e-waste processing
Recent discoveries of High Levels of lead in low-cost jewelry and toys manufactured in China
20 Million Toys recalled in the US in 2007 due to high levels of Lead.
Manufacturing material tracked back to electronics recycling operations

So Why Ship E-waste to China???
Extremely Low Labor Costs
No Worker-Safety Standards
No Environmental Regulations
Get the Good Stuff – Dump the Bad Stuff

But I found a Place that will take it for FREE!!!

Why “ Free Recycling” Doesn’t Work
The Market for used CRT-based Devices (Monitors, TVs) is quickly evaporating (There IS NO U.S. Market!)
CRT-based devices have a negative raw material value
Many other electronic devices (printers, copiers, other small devices) have very little value as separated material.
Metech Recycling Slide If you can’t sell it as a working device, and it costs money to process it correctly , how can you take it for free?

What’s the Problem with E-waste? II - Theft of Sensitive Information
2003 MIT Student Study:
158 used hard drives
129 still worked
69 had recoverable files
49 contained credit card, medical records & personal correspondence
1 contained ATM transaction info.
One of the top areas for dumping e-waste is Africa
The number one area of the world for identity theft is AFRICA!

III – What is the US doing about it? Legislative Activity
17 States currently have comprehensive e-waste legislation
Most are Extended Producer Responsibility
California is Advance Recovery Fee
U.S. Congress has not yet seriously considered legislation

What’s So Great About Legislation?
Well Defined Solution for Consumers and Businesses
Much Higher Rate of Recycling
Raises the Standards for the Electronics Recycling Industry

When Left Unregulated
Search for lowest operational and disposal cost has led to dubious practices
illegal landfilling/midnight dumping
exploitation of prison labor under terrible working conditions
dumping in third world countries
The choice for poverty or poison
should never be an option!

Implications for Businesses: Economics
it doesn’t cost much to get it right!
the positive PR may be worth a lot
conserving resources, reducing waste

IV – What do you do to prevent toxic dumping?
have a clearly defined policy
make someone responsible
deal with the data security issue
be proactive – think about risks and values

Choosing a Legitimate Recycler Documentation
certificate of guaranteed destruction
downstream processing information
compliance with environmental & other business regulations
Certifications (ISO 9001, IOS 14001, CHWMEG, etc.)
BAN e-Steward Certification
references (EPA, state agency, corporations)
Metech Recycling Slide Metech

Choosing a Legitimate Recycler Visit the Site!
is disassembly/demanufacturing actually happening!!
beware of shipping containers
Are there hard drive destruction capabilities?
Safe working conditions??

Thank You!
For further information, contact:
Metech Recycling
www.metechrecycling.com
402-339-1172
[email_address]

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