Some Tips on Electronics Recyclingfrom the New Jersey Office of
Sustainable Business
Some Tips on Electronics Recycling| Have you got an old computer or two lying around? Are you wondering what you should do with them? Well, we would like to provide some information on why you should recycle them and where you can take them. Please share this information with other businesses and friends that may have a need for it.
This e-mail will provide information on: ENVIRONMENTAL AND REGULATORY ISSUES Consumer electronics are regulated by the State of New Jersey due to the hazardous components of electronics. Computer monitors contain as much as 8 pounds of lead in the cathode ray tube, and are regulated hazardous wastes if disposed of improperly. CPUs (central processing units) contain lead solders in their circuit boards. Batteries in CPUs can contain mercury, nickel, cadmium, lead and other hazardous metals. Proper handling is therefore important from both an environmental and legal perspective. For individual consumers, computers are considered as household hazardous waste and can legally be put out with the household garbage. However, many counties in NJ have instituted electronics collection programs to divert them from ending up in the local landfills or incinerators. For businesses, electronics must be disposed of properly, either through a certified recycler or a hazardous waste hauler. And in addition to legal responsibilities, businesses must also consider information security and asset management issues. INFORMATION RESOURCES: The following link takes you to an article published in the Star-Ledger on October 10th and contain lots of information on the who, what, where, when and why of computer recycling and donations. http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf?/news/stories/scrap.html The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection provides additional information on electronics recycling, including a list of facilities participating in a DEP electronics recycling pilot project, at the following website: http://www.state.nj.us/dep/dshw/lrm/uwrcompu.htm As mentioned in the Star Ledger article, Rutgers Cook College has a website containing county specific information on recycling of computers, as well as fluorescent light bulbs and mercury devices. The website is: http://aesop.rutgers.edu/wastemgmt/ From there select the "Haz Waste Project - Where to Recycle" link. Businesses can get assistance in setting up a corporate electronics recycling program from Industrial Recycling Services, Inc. Contact Lauren Roman at 973-584-8859. COMPUTER DONATIONS: The Star Ledger article referenced above includes information on a couple of places that accept computer donations: Share the Technology, a Burlington County nonprofit that matches computer donors with those seeking donations, and Goodwill Industries thrift stores in New Jersey. Additional opportunities to donate computer hardware include: The Family Friendly Computing Program - A program of the Paterson Education Fund, the Family Friendly Computing Program helps families build computer literacy skills by providing training, support and used technical equipment. The program accepts computers with Pentium I processors or higher, diskettes, software, modems, CD drives, sound cards and books. website: www.paterson-education.org Contact: Ivette Martinez, Paterson Education Fund, Paterson, NJ 973-881-8914 United Way of North Essex/Computer Recycling Project - enables children to learn computer skills. Once they become proficient, children will receive a refurbished computer to take home. They accept computer donations (Pentiums only), keyboards, mouse and monitors. No Macs are needed. Drop off at 60 S. Fullerton Ave in Montclair or call to arrange pick up for a quantity of items. website: www.MontclairTeam.org Contact: Sharon Troxler, United Way of North Essex, 973-746-4040, uwne@uwne.org The New Outlook Pioneers Computer Donation Program. New Outlook Pioneers is a volunteer organization that refurbishes computers. These computers are up loaded with educational preschool games for Preschools in the state of New Jersey. We also are involved in providing technology to Public Schools and Special Interest groups. Donations of Pentium computers are accepted at the New Outlook Pioneers, 230 Diamond Spring Rd., Denville, NJ 07834. On Monday's and Wednesday's 10:00AM to 3:00PM, Bob Hofacker can be reached at 973-386-4671 or newoutlookpioneers@yahoo.com. Also please be free to visit our web site www.telecompioneers.org and view our write up on the New Outlook Pioneers of Morris County NJ Computer Donation Program. CORPORATE COMPUTER TAKE BACK PROGRAMS OR LEASING PROGRAMS: Compiled by and presented thanks to Gordon Hui of EPA in Washington, DC. Compaq Computer Asset Recovery Services (CARS) http://www.digital.com/das039hm.html Compaq Computer Asset Recovery Services (CARS) offers a comprehensive program that incorporates resale, refurbishment, parts recovery, and recycling for any brand of computer-related equipment. Advantages of the Compaq program include transportation coordination, Superfund/RCRA indemnification, and detailed reporting. For large contracts, Compaq offers a net revenue sharing arrangement. To learn more about Compaq's program, call 1 (800) 580-7370. Dell Asset Recovery Programs http://www.dell.com/us/en/hied/services/asset_000.htm Dell Financial Services offers two asset recovery programs. The Value Recovery Services (VRS) program, which includes data cleansing and equipment disposition reporting, is designed for functional equipment that has economic value. By contrast, the PC Recycling Services program is for non-functional or outdated equipment. Gateway Trade In Programs http://www.goodwill.org/NEWS/2000/gateway.html Gateway, in conjunction with Goodwill Industries, recently began a program that gives consumers a $100 discount on a new PC for donating a functioning 386 or better computer (any manufacturer) to their local Goodwill. The donated computers will be used primarily in Goodwill's job training and computer centers. In addition, Gateway also has a Trade In Program for businesses that allows companies to sell old computer equipment and receive credit for new Gateway products. For more information, call 1 (800) 779-2000. IBM Product End-of-Life Management (PELM) Program http://www.pc.ibm.com/us/healthycomputing/envreport/end.html For a fee, IBM's U.S. customers can dispose of IBM and non-IBM equipment through the Product End-of-Life Management (PELM) Program. IBM operates a worldwide network of material recovery centers for collecting used IT equipment. In 1996 alone, IBM reutilization centers processed over 88 million pounds of equipment; over 85 percent of the equipment was either reused or recycled. Micron Green Recycling Program http://www.micronpc.com/programs/mpower/ind_recycle.html Under Micron's Green Recycling Program, companies can trade in there old or non-functioning computers for a rebate on new Micron computers. Micron bears the cost of shipping and will dispose the computers through environmentally-friendly, EPA-approved methods. Companies, however, are expected to purchase at least as many PCs as were returned, and there is a $75 per system fee for trade-ins of fewer than five computers. To add, delete or change an e-mail address on this distribution list, please contact ceebgnj@commerce.state.nj.us Lisa Drake |
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