Pathways for E-Scrap

Transcription

1 E-Scrap Action Program Toolkit Pathways for E-Scrap SECTION 1 The Indiana Recycling Coalition has developed this section to identify existing pathways to which electronics scrap (e-scrap) can be directed, and to understand how decisions are made by those generating e-scrap as to which pathway will be used. Sources of Discards At some point, almost every Hoosier will be seeking a pathway for managing electronic equipment when they are finished with it. Sources of discards may be homes, businesses, government agencies, not-for-profit organizations -- just about anyone. When an organization or individual determines that an item is no longer useful, they select a particular pathway for disposal, recycling, or reuse, based on its ease and convenience, its cost, and other motivating factors. Described below is the process and options currently available in Indiana for e-scrap management. Considerations for E-Scrap Management While there are ideal systems for e-scrap management, in reality, there are motivating factors that drive how decisions are made as to what to do with an obsolete piece of electronic equipment. Some motivations for decision-making include: No Cost Just get rid of it mentality Cost Can we afford to get rid of it? Simplest Method How much bother is it? How far away is it? Environmental and Export Concerns Will getting rid of it create potential environmental damage here? Will the equipment be exported to developing countries where unsafe and unhealthy computer dumping and dismantling operations have been discovered? Documentation Need to document disposal and need to track material People weigh these considerations as they evaluate each pathway. Those generating e-scrap can get more information on responsible management options by reviewing the Best Practices documents included in Section 4 of this toolkit. These documents cover best practices in reuse, recycling and on-site management. Section 1-1

2 E-Scrap Pathways Current e-scrap pathways include: Annual or periodic collection community-sponsored one- or two-day, or sporadic collection event(s) at a local drop-off site. These events are sometimes sponsored by retailers or other entities in a community, in addition to government agencies. On-going community collection community drop-off site for permanent and continuing collection of end-of-life electronics, commonly located at a recycling center or a transfer station. Broker/processor/recycler companies engaged in the business of collecting or receiving end-of-life electronics to be recycled or resold. Reuse/donation mission-driven non-profit organizations that facilitate the redistribution of working computers to schools, churches and needy populations, and provide a tax credit to donors. Auction/employee sales organizations can dispose of end-of-life electronics through public auction or by selling equipment to employees. Traditional waste disposal end-of-life electronics can be disposed of through traditional waste collection, ending up in municipal solid waste landfills or incinerators. Storage/surplus some people and organizations choose to stockpile electronics in storage rooms, warehouses, basements, attics and garages. Take back programs some original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) have developed programs to take back their products at the end-of-life. Typically, there is a fee for shipping the products back. The items are then recycled by the OEM or a service provider to the OEM. Pathway Players It is important to identify those who are providing e-scrap services and to define and understand what services they provide. In this toolkit, we will call these service providers e-scrap pathway players. The following are categories of pathway players who currently manage some aspect of the electronics management infrastructure. Note: Collectors have not been identified as a separate group. It is assumed that each of these players also serves in a collection capacity. It is not uncommon for a player to offer a variety of services and fall into more than one category. For example, a processor might also broker some material. Section 1-2

3 Broker - a business that buys and sells product without necessarily taking physical possession of the product, but serves as a transporter or facilitator in the process. Processor - a business that takes physical possession of the product for the purpose of disassembly, remanufacturing and/or recycling. Not-For-Profit - an organization that serves community well-being through environmental, social or other objectives. To further their objectives, some not-forprofits engage in electronics reuse or resale. Often times, the services offered by not-for-profits are without fees. Other This could be any combination or a hybrid of any of the categories above. Activities The following is a list of activities of pathway players. Again, it is not uncommon for a player to be involved in more than one activity, such as a not-for-profit that focuses on reuse, but has to disassemble and scrap certain items that are not reusable. Reuse redistributing equipment essentially as-is to a new user. This is typically associated with not-for-profits who provide reusable electronics to targeted populations. Disassembly disassembly or demanufacture for the purpose of individual parts reuse or resale. This activity also occurs in the process of scrap materials recovery. Resale refurbishing and remarketing of still usable electronics for profit, or to support a not-for-profit involved in resale Scrap utilizing e-scrap for base materials sales only, such as the recovery of gold or silver for metals recycling. Waste Disposal some materials are, by default or by design, sent to municipal solid waste landfills or municipal solid waste incinerators. Section 1-3

4 Directory of E-Scrap Pathway Players The following is a list of currently known pathway players who deal with e-scrap. Some of those listed might offer a variety of services but are listed in the category that most closely matches their primary interest: Brokers Lighting Resources Attn: Dan Gillespie 498 Park 800 Drive Greenwood, IN Phone: lrirecycling@aol.com NuGenesis, Inc. Attn: Jim Parker 1611 Hancel Parkway Mooresville, IN Phone: or Fax: nugnesis@indy.net Processors/Brokers Asset Forwarding Attn: Mark Vander Kooy 7965 Allison Avenue Indianapolis, IN Phone: Fax: < markvk@assetforwarding.com Butler-MacDonald, Inc. Attn: Ray Pomerleau 5188 W. 74 th Street Indianapolis, IN Phone: , extension 124 C & I Electronics Attn: Scott Dill 1315 C Read Street Evansville, IN Phone: International Computer Recycling Inc. Attn: Mike Rushakoff 1824 W. 35 th Avenue Gary, IN Phone: INvironmental TECHnologies L.L.C. Attn: Michael Brady 8075 West SR 62 Chandler, IN Phone: Fax: < Mason s Surplus Attn: Jack Mason RR#2 Oaktown, IN Phone: Goldsmith Recycling Attn: Eric Goldsmith 2107 N. Adams Street Indianapolis, IN Phone: < eric.goldsmith@goldsmithgroup.com Section 1-4

5 Processors Chesapeake Electronic Recycling Attn: Rob Howe Winamac Industrial Park CR 100S P.O. 160 Winamac, IN Phone: or Fax: < Not-for-Profit Cyber Source, Inc. Attn: Henry Murray 4710 E. Orange Street Indianapolis, IN Phone: Free Geek Michiana Attn: Tom Brown 1213 Humboldt Street South Bend, IN Phone: < Connected Community/Tech ReConnect Attn: Beth Stroh, Project Leader c/o Irwin Financial Corporation 500 Washington Street Columbus, IN Phone: or (IFC) < Computers for All, Inc. Attn: Charles or Lori Green P.O. Box 656 Bristol, IN ( mailing) or 1000 Randolph Street Elkhart, IN (physical) Phone: cgreen@computersforall.org < No Computer Left Behind Attn: Chris Livesay 315 Wayne Ave Crawfordsville, IN Phone: nclbinc@yahoo.com Virtual Scavengers Project Attn: John Crooks 754 N. Sherman Dr, Suite 216 Indianapolis, IN Phone: vscav@indyweb.net Section 1-5

6 Other Players Who Have Worked in Indiana 5R Processors Ltd Attn: J. Don McFarland N5779 White Street Glen Flora, WI Phone: Envirocycle, Inc. Attn: Greg Voorhees PO Box 899 Hallstead, PA Phone: Fax: < Onyx Electronics Recycling Attn: Amy Paikowski 1275 Mineral Springs Drive Port Washington, WI Phone: Fax: Resource Concepts Inc. Attn: James Glenn 2940 Eisenhower Street., Suite 100 Carrollton, TX Phone: United Recycling Industries Attn: Ann Kunderer 3700 N Runge Street Franklin Park, IL Phone: or < Akunderer@unitedrecycling.com USA Lamp and Ballasts Attn: Roger Dunn 5366 Este Avenue Cincinnati, OH Phone: *The Indiana Recycling Coalition has compiled this list through a variety of resources and has made every effort to make it as comprehensive as possible. No company or organization representing an Indiana e-scrap player has been intentionally left off the list. To be added to the list, please notify the IRC office. This list is for informational purposes only. The IRC does not endorse any of the organizations listed above. Section 1-6