The document summarizes Connecticut's electronic waste (e-waste) recycling program. It describes how the program originated in 1998 with one-day collection events and some municipal collections. A 2007 law established an e-waste extended producer responsibility (EPR) program requiring manufacturers to fund recycling. The program began in 2011. It covers televisions, computers, monitors, and printers from residents. Municipalities must provide free collection while approved recyclers meet standards and bill manufacturers directly. The program diverts over 9,300 tons of e-waste annually, saving municipalities money and creating jobs. Key aspects of a successful EPR law identified are convenient collection, funding continuity, cost internalization, and recycler standards.

1. Connecticut Department of
Energy and Environmental Protection

2. Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection
Connecticut Ewaste Update
March 27, 2017
Tom Metzner, Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental
Protection
Mass Recycle Conference

3. Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental ProtectionConnecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection
Origins
• First Ewaste Collection in Connecticut 1998
• 1998-2004 - One day collections and some
municipalities collecting at transfer station
• 2004 – 2007 growing interest at state and local
level for EPR for Ewaste
• 2007 – passage of Ewaste EPR law in Connecticut
• 2007-2011 – Regulation development, approval
of recyclers
• 2011 program begins

4. Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental ProtectionConnecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection
Connecticut’s EPR Law Highlights
• Based on Maine’s law
• Market share financing for televisions
• Return share for other devices
• Residential only
• Monitors, TVs, Computers and Printers
• Administration costs covered by
manufacturers

5. Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental ProtectionConnecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection
Connecticut’s EPR Law Highlights
• Municipalities must provide free convenient
and accessible collection to residents.
• State approves recyclers including the price
they can charge
• Approved recyclers bill manufacturers directly
• Recyclers must meet tight standards including:
– Downstream due diligence
– Insurance
– Export restrictions

6. Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental ProtectionConnecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection
Connecticut’s EPR Law Highlights
• No Collection quotas for manufacturers which
can leave municipalities picking up some costs
for continuous service.
• Money flows between recycler and
manufacturer – no state managing of funds.
• Option for manufacturer private programs

7. Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental ProtectionConnecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection
Collection Results
• 9300 tons all ewaste in 2015
– 5.5 pounds per capita, 5 pounds of covered
devices
• 155 of 169 towns with permanent collection
points (transfer stations)
• 8.7 million kg carbon equivalent
• $525,000 annual municipal savings (avoided
disposal costs)
• 80 private sector jobs created – 68 in CT

8. Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental ProtectionConnecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection
Components of a Successful EPR Law
• Convenient and accessible collection
opportunities for residents
• Continuity – no collection quotas
• Cost Internalization
• Standards for recyclers – E2

9. Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection
Questions?
Tom Metzner
Tom.metzner@ct.gov
(860) 424-3242
www.ct.gov/deep