Recycling End-of-Life Electronics: Factors to Consider in Choosing a Recycling Option
N.C. Division
of Pollution Prevention and Environmental Assistance
1639 Mail Service Center Raleigh, NC 27699-1639
(919) 715-6500
(800) 763-0136
Background
When recycling CRTs and electronic discards, it is important to choose a reputable recycling market or recycling vendor. Make sure that the company recycling the equipment emphasizes environmentally sound procedures and that it will provide documentation of the materials handled.
The export of whole electronic products has become particularly controversial with recent documentation of harmful recycling techniques in some countries. Exporting is not necessarily a harmful practice, but generators should ask for as much detail as possible from market vendors on the precise disposition of materials.
The following are things to look for in an electronics recycler. When contracting for these services, or looking for a place to take your old gear, use this checklist to assist in making an informed decision.
Recycler Checklist
􀂉􈤠 Maintenance of appropriate permits/licenses and compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
􀂉􈤠 Recyclers should have necessary and appropriate authorizations consistent with federal, state and local environmental laws.
o Permits
o References
o Compliance history
􀂉􈤠 Documented auditing of downstream facilities, documented tracking of all downstream materials, and documentation and/or restriction of exports, especially those that are hazardous.
􀂉􈤠 Recyclers should perform due diligence and have documentation regarding end-use markets.
o Descriptions of material handling process (how materials flow through facility)
o List of material end-markets
o Information on brokers
􀂉􈤠 If desired, further scrutiny can include the following:
o Evidence of end-market audits
o Evidence of shipping papers for exported materials (bill of lading)
o Requirement that vendors process, sort or technically assess materials domestically
􀂉􈤠 Use of management systems that address the key elements of environment, health, safety and quality. Recyclers should take sufficient measures to safeguard workers and the environment.
o Meet OSHA requirements
o Have an appropriate and adequate training program for personnel
For small firms, procedures should be simplified – flexibility may be necessary. Large firms may be better suited to a structured environmental management system (EMS). Some things to look for include: