The State of Electronics Recycling
The Michigan Program One of 24 states with an extended producer responsibility program Implemented 2009 & covers residential and small business (< 10 people) Manufacturers must register to sell covered electronic devices in the state O CED = Covered Electronic device O Computer, Tablets, Monitors, Printer, Television Mfgs must offer a free and convenient takeback program. O Four options: mail, collection days, permanent sites, retailers O 60% non-binding goal for television manufacturers: O No goal for computer Manufacturers (computers includes monitors)
The Program Recyclers must register with MDEQ if they are: O Recycling a CED O Recycling = any dismantling other than data security reasons O Accepting material from covered sources O Meet certain operational standard Retailers - Don t sell unregistered CEDs
How does it work Manufacturers do not have actual programs Contractors implement a program on their behalf. Remember: 24 states with 24 different programs Contractor can be a recycler or a service provider Manufacturer decides how many pounds they want from a state
How is it working?
Participation
Compliance
Compliance challenges
FUN FACTS 7 companies accounted for 85% of the recycling volume of manufacturer programs. All reported over 1 million pounds recycled One increased its recycling over 2015 levels One company reduced efforts (2015) by 45% Percent of programs reporting minimal collected pounds. 50% of the manufacturers reported less than 1000 lbs recycled PY 2015 35% of TV manufacturers met recycling goal PY 2015
FUN FACTS 67% of the volume collected in Michigan were CRT TVs or CRT monitors. Recyclers collected 4 million more pounds than manufacturers contracted in PY 2015 Vs. 14 Million pounds in PY2014.
Challenges for MI Program Loose collection infrastructure Lowest price wins Limited program administration staffing Weak law voluntary goals Vagueness in the law Limited enforcement Recyclers Manufacturers that do not register
COLLECTION INFRASTRUCTURE Known collection locations: 302 in 2012 75 Percent of known collection locations are in the southern 1/3rd of the state There are 8 known collection locations in the entire Upper Peninsula
Economics of recycling electronics Life was good until 2014 Commodity prices started to drop Value of material started to decline Scrapping increased The Recycler Game Unbalanced economics True cost of recycling was hidden to the communities and collectors
Economics 2011-2015 commodity prices crashed
Commodities by waste stream CRT plastic case TV Other Electronics Glass 63% Steel Plastic 20% Plastic Steel 9% Copper Boards 5% Boards Copper 4% Aluminum 29% 28% 19% 17% 7%
Priority Issues Limited outlets for hard to recycle material 20+/- outlets for CRT Glass to Glass in 2003 2 outlets for CRT Glass to Glass in 2014 Estimated 3-4 billion pounds of CRT style televisions and monitors remain in households and businesses. Reduced commodity value
Management of CRT glass Acceptable options for managing CRT glass Glass to Glass Recycling Lead smelting - Funnel Glass Reuse in construction aggregate replacement Landfilling Reuse (ADC) and disposal (household wastes)
Cost to Recycle Factors that increase the cost of recycling electronics for residents Transportation from collector Additional handling Collector Best Practices Quality of the material- Skimmers Quirky requirement of the collectors Michigan s law - FREE
National Challenges 9 million lbs. of CRTs in AZ 1.5 million lbs. of CRTs in CO 3,000 Gaylords of CRTs in MD
Industry Issues Unlawful Storage of 30,000 tons of CRT Televisions. (November 2014) Sued by their bank in the amount of $18.7m. Abandoned 30m lbs. of CRT Glass across six facilities. (September 2014) Michigan Resident Pleads Guilty to Conspiracy to Violate Customs and Environmental Laws Regarding Export of EWaste, Faces Five Year Sentence and $250,000 fine. (March 2015)
In our backyard
Immediate Issues to Address Declining manufacturer support for the program Is a voluntary goal sufficient? Would an advanced recycling fee be better? The shifting of the cost onto the local communities. Personal Responsibility - Education Switch of toxics: Hg traded for Pb
Collectors Cost Control Follow industry Best Practices Sorting at the point of collection Properly packaged the material Provide a true mix Proper storage (covered and clean) Weight of loads 20,000 + lbs/load Have reasonable expectations for your recycler (certifications).
Long Term Issues Switch to a model that covers recycling of hard to recycle items only? Do voluntary goals work? Fees for the program administration education effort grants Proper recycling of LCDs
Legislative Amendments General updates: definitions, clarifications Increases reporting by Manufacturers Stewardship plans Rural collection incentive Creates an advisory committee Increase fees Focus on education and outreach Grant program to support recycling of electronics & address dumping.
Bottom Line We have a robust program We are one of 24 states with a program. DEQ has notified manufacturers that they need to step up. Residents and communities need to get accustomed paying for electronics recycling. Communities need to take an active role in controlling recycling costs.
CONTACT Steve Noble Michigan DEQ Sustainable Materials Management Unit Phone 517-449-6153 nobles4@michigan.gov