Are you wondering what to do with your old electronics? America's growing use of electronics has created a new environmental challenge: electronic waste or e-waste.
Did You Know?
According to EPA, televisions with cathode ray tubes (CRTs) contain between 4-7 lbs. of lead, a toxic substance known to cause brain damage in children. If you are making the switch from analog to digital, recycle your old TV responsibly.
The following unusable electronics are considered e-waste:
Did You Know?
Many laptops, flat panel monitors, and TVs contain fluorescent lamps that contain mercury, a dangerous neurotoxin.
Choose a Responsible Recycler
The e-Steward Certification program is a new certification program that was developed by a group of North American electronics recyclers in association with The Basel Action Network (BAN) and the Electronics TakeBack Coalition. The e-Steward certification program is an independently audited and accredited electronic waste recycler certification program that forbids the dumping of toxic e-waste in developing countries, local landfills and incinerators; the use of prison labor; and the unauthorized release of private data.
EPA's Responsible Recycling (R2) Practices for Use in Accredited Certification Programs for Electronics Recyclers is a set of guidelines for accredited certification programs to assess electronics recyclers' environmental, worker health and safety, and security practices.
The Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries (ISRI) has developed the Recycling Industry Operating Standard (RIOS) certification that establishes best management practices for the industry.
The Recycling Coalition of Utah (RCU) is a coalition of municipalities, businesses, institutions, and individuals committed to improving recycling in Utah.
Questions to Ask Potential Recyclers
If you want to use a local recycler but are unsure of their recycling policies, use the Electronic Industries Alliance's checklist to help determine if your devices will be handled responsibly.
At the end of this document is a list of Utah electronic recyclers that is provided, as a courtesy not a recommendation, by the Department of Environmental Quality's (DEQ) Division of Solid and Hazardous Waste. Salt Lake County also maintains the Salt Lake Valley Recycling Guide that provides a list of electronic recyclers. Earth911 also provides up-to-date information on where to recycle your electronics. The Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corporation (RBRC) also provides information on where to recycle your rechargeable batteries and cell phones.
Did You Know?
Recycling of electronics uses less energy than manufacturing products from virgin materials.
How to Buy Greener Electronics
Greater awareness about the end-of-life issues with electronics has resulted in the development of tools, such as EPA's Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool (EPEAT), to help purchasers evaluate laptops, desktop computers, and monitors using environmental standards, such as Environmentally Sensitive Materials, Materials Selection, Design for End-of-Life, Product Longevity, Energy Use, End-of-Life Management, Packaging, and Corporate Performance.
Manufacturer TakeBack Programs
Keep in mind the end-of-life costs when you are shopping for electronics. Some manufacturers are offering TakeBack programs that provide "cradle to grave" management for their products which includes taking back and recycling their products. TakeBack programs create an incentive to the manufacturers to design for recycling, increase the use of recycled materials, and decrease the use of toxic materials. The Electronics TakeBack Coalition provides a list of manufacturers that offer TakeBack programs; just click on "Corporate Responsibility". The Electronics TakeBack Coalition is a national coalition of organizations promoting sustainable and responsible practices throughout the electronics industry.
2009 Electronic Waste Resolution
The Recycling Coalition of Utah's Electronic Waste Steering Committee (Electronic Waste Steering Committee) initiated the 2009 Electronic Waste Resolution for the State of Utah that outlines the issues involving electronic waste in Utah. The Resolution passed both chambers in the 2009 General Session. The Electronic Waste Steering Committee will continue to work with stakeholders, including the State of Utah Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), to collaboratively assess the electronic waste issues in Utah, review electronic recycling activities of other states, and develop recommendations that can be implemented in Utah. By October 31, 2009, the DEQ will report its findings and recommendations to the Legislature.
TAM Solutions
224 South 1060 West
Lindon, Utah 84042
Contacts: Jason Dye, Brad Morley, or Curtis Nelson
Phone: 801.796.1696
Fax: 801-406-0034
website: http://www.tamsolutionss.com/Site/Home.html
Email: jdye@tamsolutions.com
GRX (Guaranteed Recycling Experts)
FreeportCenter, Building E-16
P.O. Box 160127
Clearfield, UT 84014
Contact: Eric Anderson: 801.386.2533
Phone: 801.525.8847
Email: eric@grxrecycles.com
Website: http://www.metechrecycling.com
GRX has the State of Utah contract for electronics recycling. The contract is number PD 1964. This is a link to the contract: http://www.generalservices.utah.gov/statewidecontracts/Contracts.aspx?PartialContractId=PD1964
To view the contract scroll down to PD 1964, click on the "view".
Executive Recycling
1499 South 700 West
Salt Lake City, UT 84104
Contact: Brandon Richter: 801.908.7005
Toll free: 1-877-791-0808
Website: http://www.utahcomputerrecycling.com/
Email: Brandon_Richter@executiverecycle.com
SFI Computers Inc.
75 East 200 North
PO Box115
Spring City, UT 84662
Contact: Ryan John: 435.462.1965
Fax: 435.462.3007
Website: http://www.sfirecycling.com/drop.htm
Email: ecycling@sifcomputers.com
Stone Castle Recycling
Freeport Center, Building D-3
Clearfield, Utah 84015
Phone: 801.825.2422
Toll Free: 1-866-731-9444
Fax: 801.731.2914
Website: http://www.stonecastlerecycling.com
Email: contact@stonecastlerecycling.com
Lucency Corporation
1532 South Industrial Road (1900 West)
Salt Lake City, UT 84104
Phone: 801.364.4733
Electronic Recycling Solutions
Contact: Scott Campbell: 801.821.6446 or Dean Campbell: 801.265.9866
Website: http://www.betterrecyclers.com
Endorsement Disclaimer:
Reference to any specific commercial products, processes, or services, or to any trade, firm, or corporation is for the information and convenience of the public, and does not constitute endorsement, recommendation, or favoring by the State of Utah, or its officers, employees or agents. Any list of organizations providing services that may be of interest to the public is not intended to be a complete list and is not regularly updated.
For more information on Electronics Recycling, please contact :
Ed Deputy
Environmental Scientist
DEQ, Division of Solid and Hazardous Waste
(801)538-6793
edeputy@utah.gov