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Final Briefing
August 16, 2006

Faculty Advisor: Dr. Steve Cohen

Shannon Binns Safet Marke

Seth Carlson Allison Reilly
Eliza Kretzman Carrie J. Senefelder
Monica Kurpiewski Sam Wade
Sung Ah Lee Sarah Wilson
  

( What is Electronic Waste (eWaste)?

( Why is it a problem?
( What are the toxic components?
( Why is eWaste in Landfills Controversial?
( Why do we need national legislation
and what will it do?
( ow do we measure success?
( Why is this important?

Electronic Waste Recycling

 





As defined by the legislation, it is discarded . . .

(
elevisions, Computer Monitors
( Central Processing Units (CPU)

In the future, the definition may include . . .

( Cell Phones, PDAs, MP3 Players
( ideo and DD Players

http://epsc.wustl.edu/admin/whatsnew/photo_album/comp_trash.html

Electronic Waste Recycling

 






 
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Electronic Waste Recycling

 





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In the US in 2005, 42 million computers were discarded

( 25 million in storage

( 4 million recycled

( 13 million landfilled

( 0.5 million incinerated

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Electronic Waste Recycling
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(
he uncertain science of landfills

( Inconsistent data regarding dose levels & exposure route
( Rudimentary eWaste recycling could create more
environmental hazards than landfilling

http://www.pc-recycling.comË

Electronic Waste Recycling

 


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( Create incentives to recycle

± Large quantity generators • $40,000/year in tax credits
± Individual tax payers receive one $15 credit/year for
recycling one or more units of eWaste
( Re-evaluate program in three years
± It may become illegal to throw away eWaste if
adequate recycling infrastructure is available to public
( Potential issues
± Nothing in legislation mandates recycling
center creation
± Re-use incentives noticeably absent
Electronic Waste Recycling
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In Proposed Legislation
± No performance goals set, but re-evaluation in 3 years

± If successful, reduction of eWaste tonnage into waste

stream and increased recycling is expected

± May encourage manufacturer

responsibility

http://www.pc-recycling.com/

Electronic Waste Recycling

 
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Current eWaste regulations create uneven regulatory regime

( Some states/localities have already enacted legislation

( Difficult for manufacturers to comply state-to-state

( nly large-quantity generators are regulated

( Majority of eWaste created by households & smaller quantity

generators ± not currently regulated

Electronic Waste Recycling

 







( eWaste problem growing«needs immediate action

( New legislation will create recycling industry uniformity

( Recycling will become more accessible to individuals

( First step to more comprehensive legislation

Electronic Waste Recycling