Links
The E-Waste links presented below are provided as information only and does not represent an endorsement or recommendation by DEQ.
New Source for Disposal of Old Computers - The Rethink Initiative
Online auction house eBay recently launched a recycling initiative to confront the problem of “e-waste.” The Rethink Initiative brings together leading technology companies, government agencies, environmental groups and millions of eBay users to work on the problem of unused or obsolete computers that may pose environmental hazards when disposed of in landfills.
Approximately 133,000 computers are currently being replaced daily by their original owners. These retired systems contain hazardous materials, such as plastic, lead, cadmium, chromium, and mercury. While these materials need to be handled in an environmentally responsible manner, only about 10% of unwanted computers in the U.S. are recycled.
With Intel Corporation as eBay's primary ally, the initiative coordinates efforts by Apple, Gateway, HP, IBM and Ingram Micro with the EPA, the non-profit Silicon Valley Toxics Coalition, UPS, and the U.S. Postal Service, among others.
The Rethink Initiative website identifies product disposition alternatives, such as recycling and refurbishing, and makes it easy to put this knowledge into action.
The initiative also provides value guides to help estimate the value of e-waste items, which in turn may prove useful in choosing the best disposal option. Computers which are still functioning may be sold or donated via the initiative site. Included in eBay’s selling tools are a safe data destruction utility, listing helpers that automatically identify system components, and information on how to purchase protective shipping kits. The initiative also provides access to a directory of third-party sellers able to pick up one or more items, who can then act as sellers on behalf of the items' owners. An additional directory helps businesses outsource the disposition process to a local asset recovery specialist.
As an alternative, visitors to the site can opt to donate their working PCs to the National Cristina Foundation. The non-profit organization works nationally to provide donations of used computer equipment to schools, charities, and public agencies committed to training people with disabilities, students at risk and economically disadvantaged persons.
For systems which are past their useful life, the web site includes a list of responsible recyclers, as well as links to additional recycling resources administered by Rethink's member organizations.
Manufacturer's electronics recycling programs
For general manufacturers' takeback program information, visit the Computer Take Back Campaign.
Apple Equipment Recycling for the US
Apple supports the environmentally sound, economically efficient management of Apple products throughout their life cycle. Apple advocates flexible policies that involve the sharing of responsibility among all entities in the product life cycle.
Dell Recycling
Dell is committed to meeting your needs, not only when you buy and own computers, but also when you are ready to dispose of them. As an environmentally responsible company, Dell provides an affordable and convenient reuse and recycling program - environmentally friendly, easy to use, and low cost.
Gateway Computers
Recycle Program: Recycle your old PC and get up to $50 when purchasing a new Gateway system. Gateway's electronics recycling program is geared towards donations (instead of recycling) with coupons/rebates being offered against the purchase of new Gateway equipment.
Hewlett-Packard
HP offers product end-of-life return programs for HP and other manufacturer's hardware in a number of geographic areas. The terms and availability of these programs vary by geography because of differences in regulatory requirements and local customer demand.
IBM
The IBM PC Recycling Service allows consumers and businesses to recycle any manufacturer's PCs, including system units, monitors, printers and optional attachments for a set price which includes shipping.
Lexmark
Collection and Recycling Programs: As a provider of printing solutions including inkjet, laser, all-in-one printers and related supplies, Lexmark shares in the environmental responsibility for our products at end-of-life.
The company will recycle its notebook computers at no cost to the consumer with no obligation to buy a new toshiba computer. It will also take back other brands of notebook computers for the cost of shipping. Consumers also have the option of trading in their used computers for cash. Some of the models are registered with EPEAT.
Green electronics programs
Commonwealth of Virginia Surplus Property Management
Within each Virginia state agency there are opportunities to use materials made with recycled content as well as to reduce waste and minimize trash disposal costs by reusing or recycling materials.
Electronic Product Environment Assessment Tool (EPEAT)
The Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool is an environmental procurement tool designed to help institutional purchasers in the public and proivate sectors evaluate, compare and select computer desktops, laptops and monitors based on their environmental attributes.
EIA Environment - Consumer Education Initiative
This program was developed by the Environmental Issues Council of the Electronic Industries Alliance (EIA). Its purpose is to inform consumers about recycling and reuse opportunities for used electronics.
EPA's Product Stewardship Initiative
The initiative focuses on electronics. The website provides information on a few initiatives around the country.
EPA's Resource Conservation Challenge
EPA's campaign to get the word out about opportunities to reuse and recycle old computers, TVs, and cell phones.
EPA's Region 3 eCycling Guidance
New in Spring 2007: Electronics recycling program can dispose of unwanted computers and other electronics by demanufacturing parts or refurbishing components for resale in Goodwill stores. Contact your local Goodwill Store to make sure that they are a participant in this program.
International Association of Electronics Recyclers
Quality controlled database on electronics recycling organizations available. As a service to IAER Members as well as industry in general, the IAER has developed a searchable directory that uses that database.
Mid-Atlantic Consortium of Recycling and Economic
Development Officials (MACREDO)
Provides a summary of major technology and
environmental policies regarding the recycling and reuse of obsolete computers and other electronic devices.
National Safety Council's EPR2 Project
This project promotes environmentally safe, responsible, and cost-effective management of electronic equipment that has reached the end of its useful life or no longer meets the needs of its original owners.
Recycling for a Better Hampton Roads
The cities of Hampton Roads would like to provide a means for residents to safely dispose of used or unwanted consumer electronic equipment by donating them to local charities, schools/institutions or businesses that may have a need for them.
Waste Reduction Resouce Center: Waste Reduction in Electronics
The Waste Reduction Resource Center (WRRC) provides technical Pollution Prevention (P2) support to the states in EPA Region III and EPA Region IV. This online collection of pollution prevention core references includes technical references, fact sheets and case studies on pollution prevention for electronics.
Wastewise
A publication that provides an overview of electronics recovery issues and options for businesses.
Wireless: The New Recyclable
The Cellular Telecomunications & Internet Association (CTIA*) and its member companies are committed to the goal of sustainable development and the environmentally sound management of their wireless products at end-of-life. (*CTIA is the international association for the wireless telecommunications industry, representing carriers, manufacturers, and wireless internet providers.)
Electronics programs in other states
Delaware Solid Waste Authority - Electronic Goods Recycling
Delaware residents, schools, and businesses can participate in DSWA's Electronic Goods Recycling program to recycle, rather than throw away, their unwanted electroinc products.
District of Columbia - Department of Public Works
Information on The District of Columbia's Recycling Program and Electronics Collection Events.
Maryland Department of the Environment
Information on Maryland's eCycling efforts.
Minnesota Pollution Control Agency - Waste
Links to Minnesota's Electonic Waste Management efforts.
North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources - Managing Electronic Waste
Information on Electronics recycling: Identify methods to properly manage old electronic products and safely divert them from disposal.
Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection - Electronic Discards
Information on Pennsylvania's Electronics Recycling efforts.
Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation - Computer & Electronics Recycling in Tennessee
Information on Computer & Electronics Recycling in Tennessee.
West Virginia DNR - Environmental Resources - Recycling Program
The Recycling Section of the West Virginia Department of Natural Resources was established in 1989 to ensure compliance with the West Virginia Natural Resources Laws (Chapter 20, Artile 11).
Cell phone recycling programs
American Cellular Donation Organization
Cell phone donation program.
Recycles all types of phones including business phones, consoles, cordless phones, etc.
Cell phone collection program listings by zip code search.
Company purchases used cell phones from comsumers to be recycled and sold back into the market.
Collective Good
Mobile Phone Recycling.
Funding Factory
A free recycling fundraising program for schools and nonprofit organizations.
GRC Wireless Recycling
Company offers organizations and businesses profitable solutions for the collection and recycling of wireless devices.
PhoneFund
Cell Phone Recycling Fundraising Program.
Greensphere Project, LLC
Accepts cell phones and telephones.
IC Communications
Accepts used working & non working cell phone products. Used cell phones, battery scrap, cell phone scrap, cell phone plastics, accessories, parts, LCD, cell phone boards, and PDA.
ReCellular, Inc.
Business-To-Business and cell phone recycling services available to consumers. Donate cell phone to charities and utilize a free online data eraser that removes all personal information from cell phones prior to recycling.
RecycleCell Phones.com
A "Cash for Trash" Fundraising program.
Provides free phone recycling collection materials for fundraisers. Marketing information about how to organize a collection. Posters for the collection campaign can be downloaded fromt his website.
Recycling Donation Center
The Recycling Donation Center's mission is to provide a valuable service to the environment, help good organizations to do great things and provide companies and individuals an alternate donation vehicle.
RMS Communications Group, Inc.
Innovative Service Solutions to the Wireless World. Free Cellphone Recycling. Certified destruction by ISO 9000 and 14001 facility. Find the program that best fits your organization. Phone: 800-627-2022.
Staples is working with Collective Good, a mobile electronics recycling company to address the need to reduce the amount of electronic products normally discarded inot the waste stream. Staples customers can recycle their used cell phones year-round by simply dropping them off while they shop at their local Staples store.
The Wireless Alliance works with manufacturers, wireless carriers, recyclers and non-profit organizations to collect, resell, and recycle cellular equipment.
The Verizon Wireless Hopeling program puts wireless services and equipment to work to assist victims of domestic violence. Verizon Wireless also has a cell phone battery recycling program.
Wipe out Wireless Waste - Campaign organized by Sprint Nextel, The Wireless Alliance, and Keep America Beautiful. Free postage-paid mailing envelope provided. Proceeds from recycling to go to KAB programs.
The Wireless Foundation
The Donate A Phone program recycles used wireless phones to help the environment and raise funds for a variety of charities. Program web site allows citizens to search for collection points in their state; the Virginia search identifies 66 locations.
Wireless: The New Recyclable
Cellular Telecommunications & Internet Association (CTIA) educates the public on the options available for properly recycling used wireless devices.
Green electronics design
Design for the Environment Computer Display Project
The primary purpose for this project is to evaluate the life-cycle environmental impacts, performance, and cost of liquid crystal displays (LCDs) and cathode ray tubes (CRTs).
Designing For the Environment: A Design Guide for Information and Technology Equipment
Designing for the Environment is a new guide addressing
environmental criteria for design engineers and others involved
in manufacturing information technology equipment.
Green purchasing
National Recycling Coalition
The National Recycling Coalition has assembled information on green procurement of electronics as well as information on recovery, reuse and recycling of obselete equipment and responsible design of electronics.
Northwest Product Stewardship Council
The Northwest Product Stewardship Council has developed a Guide to Environmentally Preferable Computer Purchasing.