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ELECTRONICS RECYCLING INDUSTRY Summary Data from the Electronic Product Recovery and Recycling (EPR2) Baseline Report; May, 1999 National Safety Council - Environmental Health Center sponsored by the US Environmental Protection Agency The scope of electronics recycling encompasses computer, telecommunications, and consumer electronics equipment (e.g., TVs). The electronics recycling industry can be viewed as a "chain" of recycling processors: 1. Primary - product or industry focus (reselling preferred) 2. Secondary - parts and materials recovery 3. Third Party Organizations - resellers and not-for-profit organizations 4. Smelters/Refiners The key economic drivers of the electronics recycling industry are: - Need a predictable stream of high volume sources - Require capital for automated processes Approximately 400 companies were identified as having electronics recycling operations in the USA. (120 responded to the survey) The total volume of electronics products recycling in 1998 was approximately 275 million pounds (9.7M units). In addition, there were approximately 33 million pounds of electronics parts, subassemblies and materials recycled. The top 10 companies recycled approximately 65% of the total volume. The top 5 companies recycled approximately 43%. Among the top companies, 2 recycled more than 20 million pounds a year, while the next 10 recycled between 10-20 million pounds. Most companies recycle less than 5 million pounds. Most companies involved with electronics recycling are relative small. Two-thirds of the companies have fewer than 30 employees and most have been in business less than 10 years. The number of personal computers being recycled has been increasing significantly and is expected to reach approximately 60 million units a year within the next 5 years. The major sources of electronics products for recycling have been manufacturers and large users. The volume of consumer electronics products being recycled, such as TVs, has not been significant. However, the inventory in the field is very significant (e.g., approximately 200 million TV sets). The major types of electronics being recycled are (1998 data):  For more information about the EPR2 Baseline Report and how to order a copy visit: http://www.nsc.org/ehc/epr2/baseline.htm |