EPR2 Baseline Report

2001 Conference
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1999 Conference
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1998 Conference Summary

Electronic Equipment Recyclers
Contact List

How to Recycle
Old Computers

The EPR2
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Reports on
Electronics
Recycling

Proposed
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Reports on Electronics Recycling

Electronic Product Recovery and Recycling Baseline Report: Recycling of Selected Electronic Products in the United States
Released in May 1999, this report documents the results of the first large-scale survey and analysis of end-of-life electronic product recycling and reuse in the United States. The research used data from 123 firms, including recyclers, third-party organizations that accept equipment for refurbishment and subsequent resale or donation, original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), and large corporate users of electronic equipment. More information on the report is available by clicking on the “EPR2 Baseline Report” link to the left.

Analysis of Five Community Consumer/Residential Collections: End-of-Life Electronic and Electrical Equipment
Released in April 1999, this report brings together data from five electronic product recovery and recycling programs. The report covers pilot programs in San Jose, California; Somerville, Massachusetts; Binghamton, New York; and Naperville/Wheaton, Illinois. It also covers ongoing programs in Hennepin County, Minnesota, and Union County, New Jersey. The report includes summaries of program costs, materials collected, and advantages of different collection methods.

The report is available by contacting Fred Friedman, Director of the Research Library for RCRA, EPA Region 1, by e-mail, friedman.fred@epamail.epa.gov, or by phone, (617) 565-3282.

Electronics Processing and Marketing Research Project
This March 1998 project discusses the scope, function, and potential of the electronics demanufacturing and recycling industry in the Northeast. The project was funded by the Chelsea Center for Recycling and Economic Development, and three related reports (described below) are available through its Web site, http://www.chelseacenter.org.

Electronics Recycling Vendor Survey
This 1998 survey reports on 38 companies in the Northeast that accept electronic equipment for recycling. The survey includes contact information, description of services, and products handled. The report, Electronics Recycling Vendor Survey: Technical Report #5, is distributed by the Chelsea Center for Recycling and Economic Development and is available through its Web site, http://www.chelseacenter.org.

Potential Markets for CRTs and Plastics from Electronics Demanufacturing: An Initial Scoping Report
This 1998 report provides an overview of potential applications and markets for two problem materials arising from the electronics demanufacturing process—cathode ray tubes (CRTs) and plastic housings. The CRT market overview summarizes several current recycling options, including closed- and open-loop recycling, repair, refurbishment, and smelting. The plastics research was limited to identification of potential end markets for material generated by University of Massachusetts Amherst’s demanufacturing facility. The report, Potential Markets for CRTs and Plastics from Electronics Demanufacturing: An Initial Scoping Report: Technical Report #6, is distributed by the Chelsea Center for Recycling and Economic Development and is available through its Web site, http://www.chelseacenter.org.

Scrap Electronics Processing
The University of Massachusetts Amherst’s Office of Waste Management conducted this two-month survey to assess and quantify the processing and consumption capacity of scrap electronics processors and end-users in the Northeast. This study includes processing rates, labor rates, and market values of the products processed in the university’s demanufacturing facility. The report, Scrap Electronics Processing: Technical Report #7, is distributed by the Chelsea Center for Recycling and Economic Development and is available through its Web site, http://www.chelseacenter.org.

End-of-Life Computer and Electronics Recovery Options for the Mid-Atlantic States
This July 1998 report provides a summary of major technology and environmental policies regarding the recycling and reuse of obsolete computers and other electronic devices. It was specifically prepared for members of the Mid-Atlantic Consortium of Recycling and Economic Development Officials to provide assistance in long-term regional planning and policy initiatives. The report is available online at http://www.libertynet.org/macredo/eprprj.htm.

Plug into Electronics Reuse
The Institute for Local Self-Reliance prepared this report in 1997. It provides contact information on 150 reuse facilities, as well as in-depth profiles of 13 computer reuse and donation organizations. The operation profiles include tips for replication, financing mechanisms, and data on the community benefits of electronics reuse. Ordering information is available at http://www.ilsr.org/pubs/pubbroch.html.

1998 EPR2 Conference Summary Report
EHC held its second national EPR2 Conference in April 1998. The summary report from the conference is available in a PDF format.

 Download the 1998 EPR2 Conference Summary Report,
 epr2_98.pdf (50 pages, 927 KB)

San Jose Collection Pilot
The collection pilot was held from October 1 through November 2, 1997, and was supported by the U.S. EPA’s Common Sense Initiative. Materials were dropped off at three local electronics retail stores. For the executive summary of the report, see http://vista.simplenet.com/execsumm.htm. The full report is available at http://vista.simplenet.com/downReport.htm.

Residential End-of-Life Electronics Collection Pilots in Binghamton and Somerville
In 1996 and 1997, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) funded two collection pilots for residential household end-of-life electrical and electronic equipment. A total of four collection days were held in Binghamton, New York, and Somerville, Massachusetts, during fall 1996 and spring 1997. The report, Residential Collection of Household End-of-Life Electrical and Electronic Equipment: Pilot Collection Project, is available by contacting Fred Friedman, Director of the Research Library for RCRA, EPA Region 1, by e-mail, friedman.fred@epamail.epa.gov, or by phone, (617) 565-3282.

Disposition and End of Life Options for Personal Computers
Carnegie Mellon University’s 1997 study projects that approximately 325 million personal computers in the United States will have become obsolete between 1985 and 2005. Of that number, says the study, some 55 million will be landfilled and some 143 million will be recycled. (The study defines “recycling” as returning the computer components, including glass, plastic, and metal, to their original state to be used for other products.) The remaining 127 million computers will either be reused or stored before they reach their “ultimate” end of life. To obtain a copy of the study, please visit their Web site at http://gdi.ce.cmu.edu/comprec/.

Waste from Electrical and Electronic Equipment
This document is a survey of the contents of materials and hazardous substances in electrical and electronic products. Single copies may be obtained for a nominal fee by contacting Bernan Associates at (301) 459-7666 or by e-mail at query@bernan.com.