IAER ELECTRONICS RECYCLING NEWSLETTER

MAY 2008

INDUSTRY NEWS

FEATURE STORIES ON ELECTRONICS RECYCLING

· Recycling Flat Panel Displays

(Scrap Magazine – March/April 2008)

The emergence of flat panel displays as the dominant technology for computer monitors and TVs (estimated to currently comprise about 85% of the market for new sales), “recyclers are wondering about their potential reuse, refurbishment and recycling … the volume that hits the recycling stream (is expected) to increase quickly” as consumers upgrade their computer systems and TVs.

However, flat panel displays pose several challenges to the electronics recycling industry:

o LCDs use small fluorescent bulbs for backlighting. Since they contain small amounts of mercury, they need to be removed prior to shredding – but are difficult to remove.

o Although “glass panels constitute 80% of the weight of an LCD display”, which are recyclable, the liquid crystals are not.

o “Flat panel display dismantling takes longer than CRT dismantling.”

o “Opportunities for repair and refurbishment are few.”

But, on the positive side:

o “The resale market for functioning flat-screen computer monitors appears strong.”

o “Potentially more valuable than the glass in an LCD screen is the indium tin oxide sandwiched between the glass layers.”

· Digital Transition

(PC Magazine – April 3, 2008)

A recent study by the Consumer Electronics Association projected that “Fewer than 15 million TVs will be removed from U.S. households through 2010, and 95 percent of those will be sold, donated or recycled … (and) about 48 percent of people who own analog TV sets plan to purchase converter boxes rather than trading their sets in for digital TVs or purchasing cable or satellite TV services.” The CEA also reported that “awareness of e-cycling efforts have increased … (with) 63 percent (of those polled saying) recycling is very important”. Some manufacturers have initiated take-back programs, in partnership with the electronics recycling industry, “to make recycling as easy as it is to purchase” and “effectively manage” the applicable various state regulations.

ELECTRONICS RECYCLING LEGISLATION

(NCER News Summary and E-Scrap News)

· West Virginia – has passed a bill that “will require that producers institute a state-approved take-back plan for the recapture of computer monitors and desktop, personal and laptop computers, as well as televisions and other display devices”. Manufacturers will have to pay annual registration fees to the state, but will have options of several different collection methods.

· New York City – “signed into law a measure that makes (it) the first U.S. city to compel electronics manufacturers to be responsible for the products they manufacture”. Manufacturers will have to pay annual registration fees to the city and establish approved take-back programs. In addition, “the measure establishes a citywide landfill ban – (effective) July 1, 2010”. A second bill, with mandatory recycling performance requirements for manufacturers is not expected to pass.

· Nebraska – The Governor of Nebraska vetoed an electronics recycling producer responsibility bill that had been passed by the legislature – claiming that it would be “burdensome, costly and intrusive … (and) represented an economic barrier to computer manufacturers wishing to do business in Nebraska”.

· New Hampshire – Rather than approving a producer responsibility system for electronics recycling as proposed in a House bill, the New Hampshire Senate amended the bill to establish “a commission to study other states’ approaches to recycling and proper disposal of e-Scrap”.

INTERNATIONAL NEWS ON ELECTRONICS RECYCLING

· Ontario, Canada

(E-Scrap News – April 2, 2008)

The province of Ontario announced a plan to “establish up to 650 recycling centers funded by a per-item fee paid by manufacturers … (which is expected to) be added to added to consumer purchases”.

· China

(ScienceDaily – April 1, 2008)

The American Chemical Society Journal – “Environmental Science & Technology” – published a study on “Heavy Metals Concentrations of Surface Dust from e-Waste Recycling and Its Human Health Implications in Southeast China”. It is reported that very high levels of lead and copper were found in “dust samples (collected) from roads adjacent to e-waste processing workshops in Guiya, China”.

· “E-Waste” in the Third World

(TheStar – April 21, 2008)

Another report on the exposures to uncontrolled exporting to and processing of electronics scrap in developing countries claims that “Despite international agreements that prohibit the import and export of hazardous waste, shipments of broken electronic devices continue to pour into the harbours of Kenya, India and China … China, like India and many other countries, is really hungry for resources, so they let e-waste into their country to support their production chain”.

· U.K.

(ZDNet Asia – April 22, 2008)

“Brent Council in London has hit on a way to comply with the European WEEE directive for the responsible disposal of computer hardware, while also helping parts of the world in need of a tech boost … The council has been giving its old computers and equipment to Computer Aid International, which distributes them to schools and hospitals in Africa.” It also arranges for data wiping and tracking where the equipment ends up.

· India

(E-Scrap News – April 15, 2008)

India’s Central Pollution Control Board issued voluntary guidelines for handling e-scrap that would allow manufacturers “to charge an advanced recovery fee to help pay for take-back programs”.

(Times of India – April 17, 2008)

The city of Chennai has experienced a “boom in the information technology and telecom market … (which has) led to experts promoting the concept of e-waste management”. As a result, the municipality announced plans to set-up “a separate e-waste facility in the city”. Currently, “there is a private recycling plant … to handle the e-waste from the Madras Export Promotion Zone … (but) Most of the e-waste from smaller computer firms end up in landfills”.

OTHER RELATED NEWS

· IT Trends

(GreenerComputing – March 28, 2008)

Forrester Research issued a report “Five Green IT Trends That Will Impact the IT Infrastructure and Operations Professional”, which “cautions that IT managers take proactive measures now to address tomorrow’s growing environmental concerns”. Among them is that “End-of-Life management of IT equipment is continuing to grow in importance”.

· “Free Electronic Waste Collection”

(CommonDreams – April 15, 2008)

“in anticipation of a massive North American free e-waste collection event (in conjunction with Earth Day) … the Basel Action Network … warned consumers … not to be fooled by electronic recyclers or recycling events calling themselves ‘responsible’ and ‘good for the environment’ … While many consumers and event organizers are well intentioned, more often than not, the toxic e-waste ends up being exported by so-called ‘recyclers’ to developing countries.”

· CRT Glass Separation

(E-Scrap News – April 15, 2008)

Nulife Glass (U.K.) “has developed new equipment for removing lead from post-consumer CRT glass. Using a process the company describes as ‘reverse glassmaking’, screen glass is fed into a furnace, where lead and molten glass can then be separated into two material streams.”

· Price of Lead

(New York Times – April 8, 2008)

It’s not just the “glamorous” commodities metals, such as gold, silver and copper that has increased in price. “Lead’s price on global markets has rocketed sevenfold in the last six years, largely because of rising demand from industrializing countries like China and India.” The price of lead has been trading in the range of $3000 per ton – so high that there has been a rash of thefts of lead from the roofs of old churches in England. It would seem that with such increased value for lead, that there would be an attractive market for lead from electronics recycling!

· Per Capita Collection

(NCER News – April 11, 2008)

The National Center for Electronics Recycling/NCER (IAER Member) issued a “Per Capita Collection Index” based on 2007 data from ongoing electronics recycling programs across the U.S. A 14% increase in the index over the prior year indicates a nationwide trend of increasing collections of scrap electronics.

INDUSTRY EVENTS

ELECTRONICS RECYCLING SUMMIT® - 2008

The IAER and ISRI co-sponsored the 2008 SUMMIT event held in conjunction with the ISRI annual convention – April 6-10, 2008 in Las Vegas, NV. The program for this year’s Electronics Recycling SUMMIT® was bigger and better than ever – and so was the attendance - in addition to the world’s largest trade show and conference on recycling!

Highlights of 2008 Electronics Recycling SUMMIT® - including the complete program, copies of the SUMMIT presentations and a photo gallery have been posted on the IAER website at: http://www.iaer.org/summit/ (Click on the links under “2008 SUMMIT”)

IERI SHORT COURSES

The International Electronics Recyclers Institute (IERI) co-sponsored an educational program with ISRI held in conjunction with the ISRI Convention on Wednesday, April 9 as part of the Electronics Recycling SUMMIT® program (see above). Two of the most popular and successful IERI Short Courses were offered:

· Downstream Due Diligence & Risk Management

· Electronics Specialty Materials: Recycling & Disposal

For details of the courses go to the IERI webpage at:

http://www.iaer.org/communications/institute2.htm

The next IERI Educational Program will be held in conjunction with the E-Scrap Conference on Tuesday, September 16 – in Glendale/Phoenix, AZ. Watch here for details as they develop.

IAER NEWS

IAER-ISRI MEMBERS MEETING

During the Electronics Recycling SUMMIT® event (above), a special meeting was held for both ISRI and IAER Members who are involved in electronics recycling. This was an historic and unique opportunity to hear from and ask questions of the ISRI and IAER leadership about the status of the ISRI-IAER organizational relationship.

A summary of the meeting as well as a photo gallery and audio recording has been posted on the IAER Members-Only website. After logging in, Members can find the meeting links as follows:

Under the “Members Only Menu”, click on the heading “View IAER ORGANIZATION Information & Contacts”
Under the headings “IAER ORGANIZATION REPORTS” and “IAER MEMBERS MEETINGS”, click on the lines under the heading “Joint IAER-ISRI Members Meeting – April 10, 2008”

IAER CERTIFICATION PROGRAM

During last year’s Electronics Recycling SUMMIT®, the IAER announced a new release of the IAER Certification Program. The IAER Standards & Certification Committee completed a year-long effort of revising the IAER Certification Standard and supporting documents involved in the IAER certification process. The revisions focused on expanding, strengthening and re-organizing requirements to be consistent with all the key elements of the EPA’s draft “Best Management Practices for Electronics Recycling” (BMPs) – particularly in areas such as control of materials of concern, downstream due diligence and risk management, tracking records, reuse and refurbishment.

Click here for more information on Release 2.1 – including the News Release and revised IAER Certification Standard.

Many companies are now taking advantage of IAER Certification – and the cost efficient process that was introduced last year.

If your company is not sure about pursuing IAER Certification, visit the web page on: “The Benefits of being a Certified Electronics Recycler®”.

To recognize those that have achieved IAER certification, a webpage has been established that provides access to the public to all current Certified Electronics Recyclers.

IAER ELECTRONICS RECYCLING INDUSTRY REPORT

The IAER partnered with Resource Recycling/E-Scrap News to publish a 2006 update to the Electronics Recycling Industry Report®. It includes surveys of the electronics recycling industry in the U.S. as well as comprehensive new research on the trends and developments that drive the industry. This report contains information that is essential for anyone involved or interested in the electronics recycling industry – with even more data and illustrations than the original 2003 Report. For more information and to order the Report, go to the web page at:

http://www.iaer.org/communications/indreport.htm

Updates to the Industry Report were presented at the last SUMMIT and have been posted on the SUMMIT 2007 webpage.

COMPANY ANNOUNCEMENTS

(From News Releases, Recycling Today, and E-Scrap News)

Recyclers

· GRC Wireless Recycling (IAER Member) – “announced that the company recycled 530,907 cell phones during (the first quarter of 2008) … (and) expects to recycle close to 2 million cell phones in 2008”.

· GEEP (IAER Member) – announced that it will provide collection and recycling services in support of Sony Canada’s expanded recycling program where “all Sony products will be accepted for recycling, at no charge, at any of the 25 non-retail collection sites to be opened across Canada.”

· Sims Group – announced “the acquisition of Life Cycle Services in the U.K.”, including its tracking software as well as its electronics recycling operations.

· Global Investment Recovery – announced the expansion of its operations in Reno, NV with the acquisition of an 80,000sf processing facility.

· Redemtech – reported an analysis of the potential impact of computer reuse on “reducing carbon footprint and saving energy for U.S. business”.

· E-EndUSA – announced a partnership with Engineering Services Network to “provide to federal agencies the ability to properly manage the required tasks of secure data sanitation and destruction for all media”.

· Multis Group – a computer reuse and recycling company from Ireland, announced a new facility in California to serve local computer manufacturers.

· Wicanton – announced plans to open a second electronics recycling facility in the U.K.

Other Companies and Organizations

· Federal Electronics Challenge – announced the “Electronics Environmental Benefits Calculator … (that) assists organizations in estimating the environmental benefits of greening their purchase, use and disposal of electronics”. The calculator was developed by the University of Tennessee, Abt Associates and Dillon Environmental Associates.

	IAER ELECTRONICS RECYCLING NEWSLETTER MAY 2008 INDUSTRY NEWS FEATURE STORIES ON ELECTRONICS RECYCLING · Recycling Flat Panel Displays (Scrap Magazine – March/April 2008) The emergence of flat panel displays as the dominant technology for computer monitors and TVs (estimated to currently comprise about 85% of the market for new sales), “recyclers are wondering about their potential reuse, refurbishment and recycling … the volume that hits the recycling stream (is expected) to increase quickly” as consumers upgrade their computer systems and TVs. However, flat panel displays pose several challenges to the electronics recycling industry: o LCDs use small fluorescent bulbs for backlighting. Since they contain small amounts of mercury, they need to be removed prior to shredding – but are difficult to remove. o Although “glass panels constitute 80% of the weight of an LCD display”, which are recyclable, the liquid crystals are not. o “Flat panel display dismantling takes longer than CRT dismantling.” o “Opportunities for repair and refurbishment are few.” But, on the positive side: o “The resale market for functioning flat-screen computer monitors appears strong.” o “Potentially more valuable than the glass in an LCD screen is the indium tin oxide sandwiched between the glass layers.” · Digital Transition (PC Magazine – April 3, 2008) A recent study by the Consumer Electronics Association projected that “Fewer than 15 million TVs will be removed from U.S. households through 2010, and 95 percent of those will be sold, donated or recycled … (and) about 48 percent of people who own analog TV sets plan to purchase converter boxes rather than trading their sets in for digital TVs or purchasing cable or satellite TV services.” The CEA also reported that “awareness of e-cycling efforts have increased … (with) 63 percent (of those polled saying) recycling is very important”. Some manufacturers have initiated take-back programs, in partnership with the electronics recycling industry, “to make recycling as easy as it is to purchase” and “effectively manage” the applicable various state regulations. ELECTRONICS RECYCLING LEGISLATION (NCER News Summary and E-Scrap News) · West Virginia – has passed a bill that “will require that producers institute a state-approved take-back plan for the recapture of computer monitors and desktop, personal and laptop computers, as well as televisions and other display devices”. Manufacturers will have to pay annual registration fees to the state, but will have options of several different collection methods. · New York City – “signed into law a measure that makes (it) the first U.S. city to compel electronics manufacturers to be responsible for the products they manufacture”. Manufacturers will have to pay annual registration fees to the city and establish approved take-back programs. In addition, “the measure establishes a citywide landfill ban – (effective) July 1, 2010”. A second bill, with mandatory recycling performance requirements for manufacturers is not expected to pass. · Nebraska – The Governor of Nebraska vetoed an electronics recycling producer responsibility bill that had been passed by the legislature – claiming that it would be “burdensome, costly and intrusive … (and) represented an economic barrier to computer manufacturers wishing to do business in Nebraska”. · New Hampshire – Rather than approving a producer responsibility system for electronics recycling as proposed in a House bill, the New Hampshire Senate amended the bill to establish “a commission to study other states’ approaches to recycling and proper disposal of e-Scrap”. INTERNATIONAL NEWS ON ELECTRONICS RECYCLING · Ontario, Canada (E-Scrap News – April 2, 2008) The province of Ontario announced a plan to “establish up to 650 recycling centers funded by a per-item fee paid by manufacturers … (which is expected to) be added to added to consumer purchases”. · China (ScienceDaily – April 1, 2008) The American Chemical Society Journal – “Environmental Science & Technology” – published a study on “Heavy Metals Concentrations of Surface Dust from e-Waste Recycling and Its Human Health Implications in Southeast China”. It is reported that very high levels of lead and copper were found in “dust samples (collected) from roads adjacent to e-waste processing workshops in Guiya, China”. · “E-Waste” in the Third World (TheStar – April 21, 2008) Another report on the exposures to uncontrolled exporting to and processing of electronics scrap in developing countries claims that “Despite international agreements that prohibit the import and export of hazardous waste, shipments of broken electronic devices continue to pour into the harbours of Kenya, India and China … China, like India and many other countries, is really hungry for resources, so they let e-waste into their country to support their production chain”. · U.K. (ZDNet Asia – April 22, 2008) “Brent Council in London has hit on a way to comply with the European WEEE directive for the responsible disposal of computer hardware, while also helping parts of the world in need of a tech boost … The council has been giving its old computers and equipment to Computer Aid International, which distributes them to schools and hospitals in Africa.” It also arranges for data wiping and tracking where the equipment ends up. · India (E-Scrap News – April 15, 2008) India’s Central Pollution Control Board issued voluntary guidelines for handling e-scrap that would allow manufacturers “to charge an advanced recovery fee to help pay for take-back programs”. (Times of India – April 17, 2008) The city of Chennai has experienced a “boom in the information technology and telecom market … (which has) led to experts promoting the concept of e-waste management”. As a result, the municipality announced plans to set-up “a separate e-waste facility in the city”. Currently, “there is a private recycling plant … to handle the e-waste from the Madras Export Promotion Zone … (but) Most of the e-waste from smaller computer firms end up in landfills”. OTHER RELATED NEWS · IT Trends (GreenerComputing – March 28, 2008) Forrester Research issued a report “Five Green IT Trends That Will Impact the IT Infrastructure and Operations Professional”, which “cautions that IT managers take proactive measures now to address tomorrow’s growing environmental concerns”. Among them is that “End-of-Life management of IT equipment is continuing to grow in importance”. · “Free Electronic Waste Collection” (CommonDreams – April 15, 2008) “in anticipation of a massive North American free e-waste collection event (in conjunction with Earth Day) … the Basel Action Network … warned consumers … not to be fooled by electronic recyclers or recycling events calling themselves ‘responsible’ and ‘good for the environment’ … While many consumers and event organizers are well intentioned, more often than not, the toxic e-waste ends up being exported by so-called ‘recyclers’ to developing countries.” · CRT Glass Separation (E-Scrap News – April 15, 2008) Nulife Glass (U.K.) “has developed new equipment for removing lead from post-consumer CRT glass. Using a process the company describes as ‘reverse glassmaking’, screen glass is fed into a furnace, where lead and molten glass can then be separated into two material streams.” · Price of Lead (New York Times – April 8, 2008) It’s not just the “glamorous” commodities metals, such as gold, silver and copper that has increased in price. “Lead’s price on global markets has rocketed sevenfold in the last six years, largely because of rising demand from industrializing countries like China and India.” The price of lead has been trading in the range of $3000 per ton – so high that there has been a rash of thefts of lead from the roofs of old churches in England. It would seem that with such increased value for lead, that there would be an attractive market for lead from electronics recycling! · Per Capita Collection (NCER News – April 11, 2008) The National Center for Electronics Recycling/NCER (IAER Member) issued a “Per Capita Collection Index” based on 2007 data from ongoing electronics recycling programs across the U.S. A 14% increase in the index over the prior year indicates a nationwide trend of increasing collections of scrap electronics. INDUSTRY EVENTS ELECTRONICS RECYCLING SUMMIT® - 2008 The IAER and ISRI co-sponsored the 2008 SUMMIT event held in conjunction with the ISRI annual convention – April 6-10, 2008 in Las Vegas, NV. The program for this year’s Electronics Recycling SUMMIT® was bigger and better than ever – and so was the attendance - in addition to the world’s largest trade show and conference on recycling! *Highlights of 2008 Electronics Recycling SUMMIT® - including the complete program, copies of the SUMMIT presentations and a photo gallery have been posted on the IAER website at:* http://www.iaer.org/summit/ (Click on the links under “2008 SUMMIT”) IERI SHORT COURSES The International Electronics Recyclers Institute (IERI) co-sponsored an educational program with ISRI held in conjunction with the ISRI Convention on Wednesday, April 9 as part of the Electronics Recycling SUMMIT® program (see above). Two of the most popular and successful IERI Short Courses were offered: · Downstream Due Diligence & Risk Management · Electronics Specialty Materials: Recycling & Disposal For details of the courses go to the IERI webpage at: http://www.iaer.org/communications/institute2.htm The next IERI Educational Program will be held in conjunction with the E-Scrap Conference on Tuesday, September 16 – in Glendale/Phoenix, AZ. Watch here for details as they develop. IAER NEWS IAER-ISRI MEMBERS MEETING During the Electronics Recycling SUMMIT® event (above), a special meeting was held for both ISRI and IAER Members who are involved in electronics recycling. This was an historic and unique opportunity to hear from and ask questions of the ISRI and IAER leadership about the status of the ISRI-IAER organizational relationship. *A summary of the meeting as well as a photo gallery and audio recording has been posted on the IAER Members-Only website. After logging in, Members can find the meeting links as follows:* Under the “Members Only Menu”, click on the heading “View IAER ORGANIZATION Information & Contacts” Under the headings “IAER ORGANIZATION REPORTS” and “IAER MEMBERS MEETINGS”, click on the lines under the heading “Joint IAER-ISRI Members Meeting – April 10, 2008” IAER CERTIFICATION PROGRAM During last year’s Electronics Recycling SUMMIT®, the IAER announced a new release of the IAER Certification Program. The IAER Standards & Certification Committee completed a year-long effort of revising the IAER Certification Standard and supporting documents involved in the IAER certification process. The revisions focused on expanding, strengthening and re-organizing requirements to be consistent with all the key elements of the EPA’s draft “Best Management Practices for Electronics Recycling” (BMPs) – particularly in areas such as control of materials of concern, downstream due diligence and risk management, tracking records, reuse and refurbishment. Click here for more information on Release 2.1 – including the News Release and revised IAER Certification Standard. Many companies are now taking advantage of IAER Certification – and the cost efficient process that was introduced last year. *If your company is not sure about pursuing IAER Certification, visit the web page on: “The Benefits of being a Certified Electronics Recycler®”. To recognize those that have achieved IAER certification, a webpage has been established that provides access to the public to all current Certified Electronics Recyclers. IAER ELECTRONICS RECYCLING INDUSTRY REPORT* The IAER partnered with Resource Recycling/E-Scrap News to publish a 2006 update to the Electronics Recycling Industry Report®. It includes surveys of the electronics recycling industry in the U.S. as well as comprehensive new research on the trends and developments that drive the industry. This report contains information that is essential for anyone involved or interested in the electronics recycling industry – with even more data and illustrations than the original 2003 Report. For more information and to order the Report, go to the web page at: http://www.iaer.org/communications/indreport.htm Updates to the Industry Report were presented at the last SUMMIT and have been posted on the SUMMIT 2007 webpage. COMPANY ANNOUNCEMENTS (From News Releases, Recycling Today, and E-Scrap News) Recyclers · GRC Wireless Recycling (IAER Member) – “announced that the company recycled 530,907 cell phones during (the first quarter of 2008) … (and) expects to recycle close to 2 million cell phones in 2008”. · GEEP (IAER Member) – announced that it will provide collection and recycling services in support of Sony Canada’s expanded recycling program where “all Sony products will be accepted for recycling, at no charge, at any of the 25 non-retail collection sites to be opened across Canada.” · Sims Group – announced “the acquisition of Life Cycle Services in the U.K.”, including its tracking software as well as its electronics recycling operations. · Global Investment Recovery – announced the expansion of its operations in Reno, NV with the acquisition of an 80,000sf processing facility. · Redemtech – reported an analysis of the potential impact of computer reuse on “reducing carbon footprint and saving energy for U.S. business”. · E-EndUSA – announced a partnership with Engineering Services Network to “provide to federal agencies the ability to properly manage the required tasks of secure data sanitation and destruction for all media”. · Multis Group – a computer reuse and recycling company from Ireland, announced a new facility in California to serve local computer manufacturers. · Wicanton – announced plans to open a second electronics recycling facility in the U.K. Other Companies and Organizations · Federal Electronics Challenge – announced the “Electronics Environmental Benefits Calculator … (that) assists organizations in estimating the environmental benefits of greening their purchase, use and disposal of electronics”. The calculator was developed by the University of Tennessee, Abt Associates and Dillon Environmental Associates. Return to the main page