Computer and other electronic waste is becoming a major cause for concern. As computers and televisions are replaced to keep up with ever-changing technology, more and more electronic waste (some still useable) is being disposed.

Cause for Concern

Computers are being purchased and replaced at record rates, which means that more computers are also being discarded. Similarly, it is expected that older televisions will be discarded at higher than average rates due to the coming shift to high-definition broadcasting, making analog equipment obsolete by 2006. There is a growing concern about lead and other toxic metals in computers and the cathode ray tubes (CRTs) of monitors and television sets. Color computer monitors, for example, typically contain between 4 and 8 pounds of lead in their CRTs. Lead protects viewers from harmful x-rays.

Computer monitors and televisions may be crushed when they are disposed in solid waste landfills, and lead can leach out of the equipment. That lead, along with other metals, can potentially reach groundwater and the environment. The harmful effects of lead, especially to children, are well known.

Other toxic metals that computers often contain include chromium, cadmium, and mercury. Recent test data show that monochrome ("black and white") monitors don't designate as dangerous waste for lead content but color monitors do. Color CRTs must be managed according to the requirements of the Dangerous Waste Regulations.

Computer-Waste Management

Ecology is evaluating the possibility of managing CRTs as "universal waste." Universal wastes are certain frequently generated dangerous wastes that can be managed appropriately under reduced regulatory requirements. Universal waste requirements give generators some relief from full regulation, but still require that wastes be properly managed and sent to a "destination facility"-typically a treatment, storage, disposal, or recycling facility.

In the longer term, the top environmental priority is to find ways to keep CRTs out of the solid waste stream. Ecology is involved in a national effort to work with manufacturers on extended producer responsibility. A key element in this approach is product "take back" in which manufacturers assume responsibility for management of computers and other electronic devices at the end of their useful service. This has the dual advantage of making it easier for consumers to dispose of these devices in an environmentally responsible manner and it creates incentives for manufacturers to design products to extend their useful life, minimize pollution and maximize the potential for reuse and reclamation. The "Guide to Environmentally Friendly Computer Purchasing" at www.govlink.org/nwpsc offers some options to consider when purchasing a new computer.

If you need to get rid of a computer monitor or television, seek options other than disposal whenever possible.

Check with your local county waste management program. Some counties are developing programs to help recycle computers and monitors. For example, glass from old CRTs can be melted, and then used to make new CRT screens. See if you can donate your computer to be reused. Check with the company that you bought your computer from to see if they have a take-back program. Most companies that do have websites that describe their programs.

Ecology is in the early stages of developing more options for CRT management. For more information about CRTs, contact Tom Cusack at tcus461@ecy.wa.gov or (360) 407-6755 or Chipper Hervieux at pher461@ecy.wa.gov or (360) 407-6756.

If electronic equipment is too old to be reused or is broken beyond repair, you may send it to one of the many companies that specialize in disassembling electronics, salvaging parts, and selling reclaimed materials. Many types of electronic equipment, such as computers, monitors, printers, and scanners, contain materials suitable for reclamation and use in new products. These materials include plastic, glass, steel, aluminum, copper, gold, silver, and other metals. Since electronics recycling operations typically require a mix of automated processing and manual labor, both of which have costs, there may be a charge associated with recycling your computer. Before choosing a recycler, check to make sure that the firm meets all applicable state and local regulatory requirements and that it properly manages the recovered materials. To find out more about the regulations that apply in your state, you should contact the environmental agency in your state. You can find the appropriate person in your state by visiting NRC's website at (insert web address) and looking for the contact in your state that will be able to help you answer questions about transporting and recycling electronic equipment.

Some communities have ongoing programs to collect electronic equipment from their residents, while other communities sponsor collection events during the year. Depending on the collection, some communities will accept materials from both households and businesses. Visit the NRC website to find out if an electronics recycling collection event is scheduled in your community

Whether you are an individual with a single item or a small business with many different types of electronics, you should ask a reuse organization or a recycler questions about what will happen to your electronic equipment. The following are some questions to consider when selecting an electronics reuse or recycling organization:

1. What does the organization do with the electronic equipment it receives? Does it refurbish the equipment and sell it to another user? Does it dismantle the equipment and sell the disk drives, memory chips, and other components? Does it send materials to a metals reclamation plant or smelter? Does it process the plastic, metal, and glass for shipment to other companies that use the materials to produce recycled products?

2. How much of the equipment does the organization send to disposal (landfill or incinerator)? If some material is sent to disposal, who is responsible for paying related transportation and disposal costs?

3. If donated, does the organization provide you with documentation of your donation, so that you may apply it toward your federal tax return?

4. Does the organization have the necessary state and local permits or otherwise meets the relevant state and federal requirements for transporting and handling hazardous materials and end-of-life electronic equipment?

5. For small businesses: Does the organization provide you with a complete inventory of the equipment you are sending to be recycled, including property tags? Does the organization provide a certificate that indicates how much material was received and how it was processed? This information is important for your tax records and to contest any future liability claims.

6. Does the recycler have a documented hazardous waste disposal plan?

7. Does the company offer data security?

8. Does the company offer environmental liability protection?

9. Does the organization export or broker for export used electronic equipment? If so, consider the following information:

Some U.S. electronics recycling companies export end-of-life electronic equipment to less-developed foreign countries. Scrap materials are often exported because the recipient country has lower processing costs. Lower processing costs are often attributable to lower labor costs. However, the recipient country may also have less protective environmental standards.

Because some electronic products contain hazardous constituents, firms that export equipment or scrap materials to less developed countries may need to comply with applicable international laws and agreements on the export of hazardous substances. Equipment that is sent to foreign countries to be reused for its original purpose is subject to less stringent standards than scrap materials. If a recycler plans to export materials, you should ask if the recycler plans to meet notice and consent procedures specified under international laws and bilateral agreements.

 One way to make recycling electronic products easier is to make wise purchasing decisions. Instead of buying new electronic products, consider repairing or upgrading your current system. If you decide to buy new equipment, ask the equipment manufacturer about reuse and recycling options such as product takeback programs. To promote the use of reused and recycled products, purchase equipment designed for easy repair and upgrade. Consider installing software that runs on older systems, which will enable the next user to make maximum use of an older computer. You may also consider leasing equipment that can be returned to the manufacturer when it is no longer needed.