MPCA E-waste Updates & Collector Due Diligence June 4, 2015 Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
Outline Flow of MN Household CEDs Registration Reporting Collector Due Diligence Alternatives to Public Collection Best Management Practices for Contracting Certification Legislative Changes Questions 2
Flow of MN Household CEDs Program Year July 1 June 30 Collector collects Minnesota household covered electronic devices (CEDs) Collectors can send the MN household CEDs to another registered collector, called a transfer, or to a registered recycler. Devices collected for reuse don t count towards the program and shouldn t be reported Recycler receives collected CEDs for processing The collector report should match the recycler report The owner of the processed MN household CEDs can sell those pounds to a registered manufacturer before July 1 3
Registration Who needs to register? All organizations that collect electronics for recycling from Minnesota household sources All organizations that recycle/dismantle electronics collected from Minnesota household sources Who doesn t need to register? Collectors/recyclers of non-household e-waste (from schools, businesses, etc.) Repair/refurbishment businesses Cities/counties that only collect e-waste at collection events managed by a registered party Refer to the MPCA e-waste website for the up-to-date list of registered collectors and recyclers. Organizations not on that list need to be registered before they can engage in the collection or recycling of e-waste from Minnesota households. 4
Reporting Reporting will now be handled online through ReTRAC Registration may also happen in ReTRAC Due July 15 Webinar on June 24 to explain how to use new system for reporting. Recording will be sent out toward the end of June with notification emails for reporting. 5
Why Due Diligence? Legal liability Competitive pricing Compliance with the Minnesota Electronics Recycling Act 6
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Collector Due Diligence Find a registered recycler http://www.pca.state.mn.us/bkzq753 Don t assume that a recycler is registered if it was during the previous program year. Call the recycler and say you are interested in shipping MN household CEDs. Ask where they send the processed CEDs. More specifically, where they send leaded glass and how is it managed (glass-to-glass, smelter, other). Landfilling, alternative daily cover, and storage are not recycling Get the name and contact information for the downstream recycling companies that are receiving processed materials from CEDs. Call the downstream companies that are recycling the processed CEDs and get confirmation that they are managing them according to what the recycler stated. If you chose to contract with that recycler, put a stipulation in your agreement that you must be notified of any changes in the downstream markets. If possible, visit the facility. Seeing a well-managed operation run by informed personnel is key to making the right choice. Suggested steps adapted from Transparent Planet: http://transparentplanetllc.com/crt-central/ 13
Alternatives to Public Collection Local private collection opportunities Best Buy: No-cost collection of most electronics (no projection TVs or CRT TVs >32 ) Staples: No-cost collection IT equipment (no TVs) Manufacturer Takeback Programs No-cost recycling for brand-specific devices, occasionally with free shipping (Apple, Dell, HP, etc.) Reuse/Resale ebay, Craigslist, Freecycle, etc. 14
Best Management Practices for Contracting Joint RFP and contracting with other governments Lower costs and better service Use RFPs/contract examples from others and ask about pricing from others Search for a recycler who is: Certified Working with a manufacturer Lower price to start or rebate? Get a contract and understand: What happens if the recycler drops the contract: allowed or not? What happens if the recycler raises the price? Determine eligible downstream outlets and require permission for any changes Ask MPCA e-waste coordinator any questions Guidebook for City & County Household E-waste Collectors: http://www.pca.state.mn.us/chwqxw4 15
Certification Third-party audited certification programs R2 (2013) and e-stewards Designed to address management of onsite material, downstream processors and export What it means: Certification bodies require recyclers to abide by higher standards, such as: Limited downstream recycling options Limited exporting options Data security standards Records management standards What it doesn t: Ensure compliance with all aspects of the Minnesota Electronics Recycling Act (i.e. reporting, recycling standards, etc.) Replace the need for due diligence and hazardous waste compliance activities Reduce the potential liability for collectors 16
Legislative Changes MPCA began process in 2013 to identify potential changes to Minnesota Electronics Recycling Act Developed several proposals to: Align what is collected with the manufacturer obligation Ensure adequate collection opportunities Promote environmentally-sound management Bills introduced in Minnesota House and Senate in 2015 Key provision is using collected weight to establish obligation Bill did not move forward due to stakeholder concerns Language in Omnibus Bill to set obligation at 16 million pounds for PY9 MPCA is working with stakeholders for bill in 2016 17
Questions? For more information: Luke Frazier Paint & Electronic Waste Specialist Minnesota Pollution Control Agency 651-757-2794 Luke.frazier@state.mn.us Amanda Cotton E-waste Coordinator Minnesota Pollution Control Agency 651-757-2211 amanda.cotton@state.mn.us Garth Hickle Product Stewardship Lead Minnesota Pollution Control Agency 651-757-2434 Garth.hickle@state.mn.us 18