How to Choose the Right Electronics Recycling Company
1. How to choose an
Electronics Recycling
Company
Tips for local governments and small businesses
2. Brokering (matching buyers
and sellers)
Electronic Resale of whole units (selling of
whole units)
Recyclers
Remanufacturing (refurbishing
equipment)
use a wide
De-manufacturing
variety of (disassembling into parts and
subassemblies)
methods to Material recovery (physical
process separation to capture plastics,
metals, glass, etc.)
electronic Material processing (shredding
and grinding)
waste.
Donation (school systems, non-
profit organizations, etc.)
3. Most reuse markets are
export
Large for-profit and non-
Ask potential profit markets are in
developing countries
Electronic
Many recycling markets are
Recyclers, export
“where will Strong foreign demand for
raw materials, much
the recovered manufacturing is outside the
U.S.
material go?” The U.S. has few
copper/precious metal
smelters for this material
Most CRT glass furnaces are
located off shore
Plastic recycling markets are
almost all overseas
4. Regulations for Electronic
Waste
Generally, most e-scrap in the US is
Non-hazardous (especially if responsibly recycled)
Non-waste if recycled
Some electronics can be classified as hazardous waste
Color cathode ray tubes (CRTs) consistently fail toxicity
testing (TCLP) for lead
Other materials of concern include mercury lamps and
switches.
Several hazardous waste exemptions and exclusions
apply to encourage reuse and recycling
The Cathode Ray Tube Rule
Exemption for whole and shredded circuit boards
5. Regulations for Electronic
Waste
Cathode Ray Tubes
Exemption from federal hazardous waste
management standards when tubes are destined for
recycling or reuse and the rule is followed
Notification and consent requirements for CRT
exports
Notification for reuse
Notification and consent of receiving country for
recycling
Notifications posted on the EPA rule website
If going to disposal, regular regulations apply
Includes storage and management requirements
6. Regulations
for Electronic
Waste
More info about the
regulations for Electronic
waste can be found on the
EPA website at
http://www.epa.gov/osw/i
nforesources/pubs/orientat/
CRT Rule Website
http://www.epa.gov/osw/h
azard/recycling/electron/ind
ex.htm
7. NY State Regulations for
Electronic Scrap Recyclers
Requirements include:
C7 notification
Written notification for collection events
Operation & safety plan for collection events
Best Management Practices
Comprehensive environmental management plans
Storm water pollution plan
Closure Plan
8. Electronic Data Security
Data security may fall into many areas
Medical Records, Financial Records, Confidential Business Information
Understand the information and the risks
Data security can be managed in many ways
Drive wiping
Degaussing
Physical Destruction
Things to remember
The paper in the printers
Handheld Devices, Cell Phones, PDAs, CDs left in drives
The memory in photocopiers and fax machines
Many of these are easy enough and possible to handle in-house
9. Electronic
Data Security
National Institute for
Standards and
Technology Special
Publication 800-88,
Guidelines for Media
Sanitization:
http://csrc.nist.gov/publicati
ons/PubsSPs.html
10. Recycler Responsible Recycler
Program (R2)
Performance Developed by groups of
OEMs, recyclers,
Standards governments and
environmental groups
More information Specific to the electronics
about the R2 recycling industry
Has several focus materials
Program can be that are important
found at the EPA Lead, Mercury, Batteries,
PCBs
website at Includes worker health
and safety, site
http://www.epa.gov/waste/ management and closure
conserve/materials/ecycling
/r2practices.htm Domestic and foreign
downstream due diligence
Third party audited
11. Recycler ISO 14000 is a series of standards,
and guideline reference
documents, which cover the
Performance following:
Standards Environmental Management
Systems
More
Environmental Auditing
information
about the ISO Eco Labeling
14001 at the ISO
Life Cycle Assessment
website
Environmental Aspects in
http://www.iso.org/iso/iso_ Product Standards
14000_essentials
Environmental Performance
Evaluation
12. Recycler E-Stewards
Incorporates the ISO
Performance 14001 for environment,
Standards the ISO 18001 for heath
and safety, and the SA
More information 8000 for social
about the accountability
E-Stewards Has specific electronics
industry performance
program can be requirements
found at their Developed by the Basil
website Action Network
http://www.e-stewards.org
13. Recycler Performance
Standards
Certification to standards can be expensive, some
recyclers may follow a standard but not have the
certification
Currently, there is no, one industry standard to
follow
Recyclers can provide services without having any
certifications
14. Approved Electronic
Recyclers
U.S. EPA Approved
The U.S. EPA does not approve recyclers for their practices
An EPA ID number is not an approval of a recyclers
practices
State Approval
NY State does not issue approval
C7 is a regulation, not a certification
Certificates of Recycling
This is not a formal document
Does not absolve the client or recycler of environmental
liabilities in the event of mismanagement
15. Data Security
Identifying Where does the material
your needs end up
Requirements on reuse or
and resale
prioritizing Logistics and support
those needs, Packing
are crucial to Shipping
choosing an Budget
electronics
recycler.
16. Learn what recyclers can
provide
Are reuse, refurbishment, and recycling techniques
used to the fullest extent possible?
Are incineration and land disposal minimized?
Are legal requirements pertaining to transport,
processing, and management complied with?
If exporting, are all US and importing countries
requirements complied with?
Is attention paid to materials of concern?
17. Learn what recyclers can
provide
For materials that will be reused or refurbished:
Are materials screened for legitimate reuse?
For materials that will be recycled:
Do business records demonstrate downstream processing?
Are facilities permitted and have an environmental
management system?
For the facility and others they use
Is there a facility plan for occupational and environmental
health and safety?
Is there an emergency release plan?
Do they track key parameters, such as input/out put and
releases?
Is there an adequate plan for closure?
18. Learn what
recyclers can
provide
EPA’s Plug-in to eCycling
Guidelines
Membership in EPA’s Waste
Wise Program
Collaboration with EPeat
Membership in ISRI or other
industry organizations.
19. Onsite Visit
Things to look for:
How are materials being handled?
To what degree are materials being processed on site?
What are the general working conditions?
What is the appearance of the warehouse?
Things to ask for
Down stream vendor records.
Notifications / Citations from OSHA, NY DEC, EPA and
the Local Fire Marshall.
Awards / Letters of support.
A conversation with a few warehouse employees .
20. Selecting Your Recycler
Select the recycler
Compare recycler reviews
Compare service provided
Price, remember free is not always the best value
Evaluate their environmental impact (it will reflect yours)
Other factors
Setup your contract
Specify Services
Ask about any cost offsets from reuse
Monitor for performance
