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Electronic Recycling 101

Electronic Recycling 101. What is e-waste:. Electronic waste is anything with a plug or a circuit board (excluding major appliances and A/C units). The most commonly recycled items are computers, monitors, printers, TV’s, and small appliances. Materials we collect. Audio Video Equipment.

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Electronic Recycling 101

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  1. Electronic Recycling 101

  2. What is e-waste: Electronic waste is anything with a plug or a circuit board (excluding major appliances and A/C units). The most commonly recycled items are computers, monitors, printers, TV’s, and small appliances.

  3. Materials we collect Audio Video Equipment IT Equipment • Computers/Laptops/base materials • Servers • LCD and CRT Monitors • Printers/Copiers • Keyboards, mice, computer cords • External hard drives • Modems/network boxes • Scanners • APC/UPS Backup systems • Flash drives, floppy drives, CDs • Televisions (CRT, LCD, LED, Plasma, Projection) • Video Players (VHS, DVD, Beta, BluRay) • Cable/DVR/Satellite boxes • Stereo systems and speakers • Game consoles, handheld games • Telecommunication equipment • Cell phones • VHS tapes, DVDs, CDs, audio tapes • MP3 players, boom boxes, walkmen • Projectors, Overhead machines Appliances Automotive • Microwave/toaster ovens • Electric/Gas stoves • Small kitchen appliances • Washing machines and dryers • Vacuum cleaners • Hair dryers/curling irons • Iron • Electric lawnmower/weed eater • Car stereos • GPS units • Auto shop diagnostic equipment • Car batteries • Alternators and starters

  4. Materials we collect cont. Lamps Misc. Electronics • Medical Equipment (all fluids must be removed) • Testing Equipment • Transformers • Capacitors • Cameras and broadcasting equipment • Typewriters • User terminals • Remote control or electronic toys • Fluorescent tubes • U-Tubes • CFL bulbs Batteries • Lithium ion (laptop/cell phone) • Lithium ion (button) • Lead Acid • Ni-Cad • Ni-Mh Non-electronic items • Metal or plastic patio furniture • Metal bed frames • Metal desks • Metal shelving • Misc. wiring • Misc. scrap metal

  5. Materials we cannot accept Items with Freon Other • Air conditioners • Refrigerators • Freezers • PCBs (some ballasts) • Thermostats • Oil based paints or primers • Chemicals • Pharmaceuticals (unless it’s the good stuff) Items with chemicals or coolants • Some medical equipment • Some testing equipment • Manufacturing equipment • Gas powered lawnmowers • Gas powered scooters/carts • Cooking oil or motor oil

  6. Why is e-waste a problem? • E-Waste is toxic and hazardous, containing lead, cadmium, beryllium, mercury, and arsenic. • CRTs contain 4 - 12 lbs of lead and account for 40% of all lead in landfills • E-Waste accounts for 70% of heavy metals in landfills with potential contamination for soil and groundwater • Incinerating computer plastics with brominated flame retardants generates toxic emissions

  7. e-waste is a growing problem… • e-waste volume is growing 3 times faster than all other waste streams • 65 million PCs become obsolete every year in the US • EPA estimate – 1.9 million tons of e-waste land-filled in US annually • Over 500 million obsolete computers and TVs sitting in home closets, basements, and garages waiting to be recycled

  8. How is e-waste being handled in Colorado? • Per capita, Colorado has more electronic recyclers than most other states, but has a relatively low diversion rate • Oversight of electronic recyclers is very limited • In urban areas, consumers have multiple options to recycle electronics, most rural areas have none • Federal law prohibits businesses, organizations, and public entities from disposing of toxic electronics. • SB 133 will ban consumer e-waste from landfills starting July of 2013

  9. Why ethical recycling offers the best solution • Electronics are 95-98% recyclable • Recycling creates green jobs • Recycling reduces carbon footprint • Recycling costs less per MTCO2 reduction than energy efficiency initiatives, weatherization measures, and wind power programs • Recycling is a more efficient use of natural resources • Newer electronics contain precious metals that are in scarce supply (i.e. selenium, indium, tellurium) • Mining is very costly both environmentally and economically • For Example: Today’s mines produce a gold concentration of about 10 grams per ton of mined material • Reuse is often not an option • Rapid advances in technology limit the market for used electronics • Data security is often not ensured

  10. How are electronics processed for recycling?

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