ELECTRONIC WASTE (E-WASTE)

What is 'E-Waste'?

E-waste is electronic waste. Electronic devices (such as stereos, VCRs, DVDs, copiers, printers, cell phones, etc.) may contain toxic metals like lead, cadmium, copper, and chromium in circuit boards, video displays, batteries, and other components. Discarded electronic devices that exceed the hazardous waste criteria for toxicity belong to a category of Universal Waste called 'Universal Waste Electronic Devices'.

How do I know if my electronic devices are hazardous to dispose of?

At the present time, manufacturers are not required to test electronic devices to determine if they exceed hazardous waste toxicity criteria. Unless you are sure they are not hazardous, you should presume these types of devices should not be thrown in the trash.

Because of the huge variety of electronic devices on the market, and the absence of manufacturer testing or labeling requirements, there are currently no reliable guidelines as to whether a particular electronic device is a universal waste when discarded. As a practical matter, all discarded electronic devices should be recycled and not disposed of in the regular trash.

Why shouldn't I just throw these devices into my regular trash?

Discarded electronic devices are estimated to make up approximately one percent of the municipal solid waste stream. Most electronic devices contain valuable materials like metals, glass and plastic that can be recovered by recycling these items. Many solid waste-recycling centers will accept these items for free or for a nominal charge. Ideally, all discarded electronic devices regardless of make or model should be recycled.

What about my old cell phone?

Perhaps the most common electronic devices are cellular telephones. Click on this link for a brochure on The Life Cycle of a Cell Phone.

Currently, the County of Tulare Division of Environmental Health is sponsoring collection of cellular telephones only. Households may utilize the following recycling opportunities for cellular telephones only. The County of Tulare Resource Management Agency also sponsors cellular telephone drop-off boxes and collection events. Go to www.co.tulare.ca.us/solidwaste/swevents.htm for locations and dates.

Other recycling opportunities for cellular telephones, as well as other specified Universal Waste Electronic Devices, ave available at www.erecycle.org/search.asp, Tulare County's Corporate Yard, E-Recycling Solutions and http://california.earth911.org/usa/master.asp.

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What are the current laws and regulations regarding e-waste?

Beginning January 1, 2007, California will ban the sale of most electronic devices containing Lead, Mercury, Cadmium, or Hexavalent chromium above specified levels. This ban will apply only to devices with a video display screen four inches or larger, measured diagonally (also referred to as Covered Electronic Devices, or CEDs). For further information on CEDs, go to our Cathode Ray Tube Materials page.

Are there alternatives available for reusing and recycling e-waste?

A New Opportunity for Waste Prevention, Reuse, and Recycling, published by the U.S. EPA, provides ideas for reducing, reusing and recycling Universal Waste Electronic Devices.

How do I dispose of e-waste if I run a business or institution?

Only Conditionally Exempt Small Quantity Universal Waste Generators (CESQUWGs) are eligible to utilize the following recycling opportunities Internal. A CESQUWG is a generator who:

• Disposes of less than 1 kilogram of RCRA acutely hazardous waste, or a combined total of 100 kilograms or less of universal and RCRA hazardous waste, in any calendar month; and
• Generates no more than 5 Cathode Ray Tube Devices.

Businesses and Institutions that exceed the CESQUWG thresholds must send their universal wastes to other universal waste handlers or destination facilities in accordance with the following requirements (22 CCR 66273.18 or 66273.38, as appropriate):

• Comply with applicable Department Of Transportation requirements for labeling, marking, placarding, and shipping papers; and
• Follow requirements for rejected shipments.

A list of businesses specializing in universal waste recycling services may be found at www.almr.org/membersprintable.pdf.

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