Consumer Electronic Waste Consumer Electronic Waste ““E-wasteE-waste””

Community POWER Grantee MeetingOctober 15, 2008

1. The Problem• What is e-waste?• Environmental concerns• Trends driving growth

2. Minnesota Solutions• Minnesota Electronics

Recycling Act

3. How Can You Help? • Raise awareness• Promote recycling

opportunities

PresentationPresentation OutlineOutline

What is E-waste?What is E-waste?

Any waste that has a circuit board or cathode ray tube (CRT)

Minnesota’s definition includes:TelevisionsComputers: central processing units (CPUs), monitors, laptopsComputer keyboards, speakers, printers, and other peripheralsVCRs and DVD playersFax machines…from HOUSEHOLDS

WhatWhat are the Environmental are the Environmental Concerns?Concerns?

Key contaminants: Lead in CRTs & circuit

boards Cadmium in contacts &

switches Brominated flame

retardants in plastics Hazards to human

health and the environment if improperly managed.

Growth of E-waste: Growth of E-waste: TechnologyTechnology TrendsTrends

Technological advances speed up obsolescence & lead to more e-waste

PC lifespan falling to estimated 2 years Improved TVs/monitors: HD, LCD, plasma Digital television transition set for Feb. 17, 2009

Growth of E-waste: Growth of E-waste: DigitalDigital TelevisionTelevision TransitionTransition

If you use “rabbit ears” or rooftop antenna with an analog TV, you must act. Options:

Buy a converter box to plug into your TVConnect your analog TV to cable, satellite or other pay serviceBuy a TV with a digital tuner

For more information, see:www.dtv.govwww.dtvtransition.orgwww.dtvanswers.comwww.getreadyfordigitaltv.com

MinnesotaMinnesota SolutionsSolutions

Minnesota Solution: CRT Disposal BanMinnesota Solution: CRT Disposal Ban

2003 Session: Prohibition passes

Effective July 1, 2005, a person may not place in mixed municipal solid waste an electronic product containing a cathode-ray tube.

Minn. Statute 115A.9565

Passed in the 2007 Session Began July 1, 2007 Manufacturer Responsibility based on sales weight

Not based on return share or consumer fees on products as in other states

Requires registration and reporting by all parties involved Manufacturers, Collectors, Recyclers and Retailers, Collectors, Recyclers and Retailers

Minnesota Solution: Minnesota Solution: Electronics Recycling ActElectronics Recycling Act

What Can You Do?

Raise Awareness Promote Recycling Opportunities

SWMCB developed a tool kit to help municipalities, counties, and other entities promote e-waste recycling to residents.

Tool kit includes: 8 images 3 advertisement templates 2 utility bill insert templates 4 articles Top 10 Facts and Top Questions from Residents

E-Waste Tool KitE-Waste Tool Kit

SWMCBSWMCB’’s Key Messages & Strategiess Key Messages & Strategies1. Easy & convenient

Many recycling locations in the Twin Cities Find sites at GreenGuardian.com

Key Messages & StrategiesKey Messages & Strategies

2. De-clutter Motivate people to “get rid

of, clean out”

3. Use trigger events Holidays, Super Bowl,

back-to-school

Key Messages & StrategiesKey Messages & Strategies

What are the Tools? What are the Tools? Advertising TemplatesAdvertising Templates

What are the tools?What are the tools?Free Images to DownloadFree Images to Download

What are the tools?What are the tools?Fact sheets & ArticlesFact sheets & Articles

Terminology Top 10 Facts Top Questions from

Residents “Recycle Your

Electronics” “Clean out Your

Clutter” “The Super Bowl…” Web articles

Where can households recycle e-waste?Where can households recycle e-waste? Lists of collection sites are available at:

Minnesota Pollution Control Agencywww.pca.state.mn.us/electronics

Solid Waste Management Coordinating Boardwww.greenguardian.com

Hennepin County Environmental Serviceswww.hennepin.us keyword search: a to z. Click on “electronics.”

What to do before you recycle…What to do before you recycle… Identity and other personal information can be

stolen from a computer, cell phone, or other data storage devices.

Before recycling your electronics, protect yourself from identity theft by removing personal data and your files.

For information on how to remove data, check with the manufacturer, the recycler, or search the Internet.

Comments & Questions?Comments & Questions?

Amy Roering

Hennepin County(612) 348-8992

amy.roering@co.hennepin.mn.uswww.hennepin.us