EPA Issues Guidelines for Electronic Recycling

November 26, 2008 // Published as a news service by IHS

The R2 guide lists 13 principles designed to help electronics recyclers ensure their material is handled safely and legally in the U.S. and foreign countries, said the EPA.

The principles include:

• Develop and use a management system that covers environmental, worker safety and public health practices on-site and downstream management of end-of-life (EOL) equipment and materials.

• Establish a policy that promotes reuse and materials recovery for EOL equipment and materials.

• Comply with environmental, health and safety legal requirements, both domestically and internationally, that are applicable to the recyclers' operations.

• Use practices to reduce exposures and emissions during recycling operations.

• Export (or arrange for the export of) focus materials only to foreign countries that accept them.

• Focus materials are:
  • Cathode ray tubes (CRTs) and CRT glass.
  • Circuit boards (unless they have batteries and mercury-containing items removed and are lead free).
  • Batteries.
  • Items containing mercury and/or polychlorinated biphenyls, both in EOL equipment and when separated as components.

• Send EOL equipment and all material derived from this equipment, that contain focus materials only to facilities that are properly licensed to receive these materials and use technology designed to manage these materials - whether in the U.S. or another country.

• Ensure that an electronics recycler does not use energy recovery, incineration or land disposal as a management strategy for focus materials or equipment and components containing focus materials. However, if circumstances beyond the control of the R2 recycler disrupt its normal management of a focus material, it may consider these technologies to the extent allowed under applicable law.

• Exercise due diligence in ensuring that downstream recyclers and processors manage recycled materials appropriately throughout the downstream recycling chain.

• Ensure that materials going for reuse are refurbished and tested for functionality and residual focus materials are managed responsibly.

• Ensure that personal data on EOL electronics going to reuse or recycling are cleared or destroyed.

• Track throughput and keep records; store and transport material securely and safely; and possess insurance, closure plans and financial mechanisms to cover the potential risks of the facility.

The R2 practices are not legal requirements and do not replace electronics recyclers’ legal obligations, said the EPA.

Electronics recyclers that adhere to this set of R2 practices are doing so on a voluntary basis. If a requirement of this document conflicts with an applicable legal requirement, the recycler must adhere to the legal requirement, said the EPA.

The R2 guide calls on recyclers to establish a management system for environmental and worker safety; develop a policy that promotes reuse and material recovery over landfill or incineration; and use practices that reduce exposures or emissions during recycling operations, said the EPA.

The principles also call for recyclers to use diligence to assure appropriate management of materials throughout the recycling chain, including materials that are exported to foreign countries.

The workgroup that developed the guidelines represents federal and state governments, electronics manufacturers and recyclers and trade associations.

The R2 working group will next identify certification programs to verify electronics recyclers who adhere to the R2 practices.

E-waste Exporters
The export-related practices extend the recycler's responsibility for focus materials by having them get assurances from downstream vendors both domestically and internationally, said the EPA.

These assurances are designed to show that the materials are being handled properly and legally by downstream vendors throughout the recycling chain, said the EPA.

The practices extend to all recycling processes, including refurbishment, repair and recycling of electronic material.

To comply with these practices, exporters that send electronics materials that contain, or are, focus materials for refurbishment and/or recycling will need documents that show the export is legal under the laws of the receiving country.

More information about Responsible Recycling (R2) Practices for Use in Accredited Certification Programs for Electronics Recyclers can be found at http://www.decideagree.com/R2%20Document.pdf.

Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).