| It's general knowledge that electronics recycling | | | | Proposal for computer and monitor recycling. The |
| (e.g. computer recycling, monitor recycling) is | | | | CIO accepted with the low bid. When the CIO |
| subject to both state and federal regulations. It's | | | | notified the other bidders, he was warned that |
| also generally understood that failure to follow | | | | such a low bid is a sign that the recycling will |
| mandatory regulations may be subject to | | | | probably not comply with regulations and will end |
| substantial fines. | | | | up in a river or the woods. Six months later the |
| What most people don't know, including many | | | | EPA imposed a $1.5 million fine on the company |
| computer recycling companies, are the details of | | | | for illegal "dumping" of computers and monitors. |
| the state and federal regulations for electronics | | | | The "recycled computers" were found in the |
| recycling. Or, in some cases they know the | | | | woods. |
| recycling regulations, but don't want the cost or | | | | Electronics Recycling Recommendations: To |
| inconvenience of complying. | | | | eliminate potential exposure to fines and to |
| What this means at the individual or household | | | | prevent damage to the environment, follow |
| level is computer monitors are left on street | | | | electronics recycling Best Practices. This includes |
| curbs and "energy saver" light bulbs are put in the | | | | identifying and working with a reputable, |
| trash when they stop working. In both cases | | | | professional electronics recycling and asset |
| hazardous materials are being improperly handled. | | | | recovery services. For individuals this might be |
| At the corporate level ignorance of regulations | | | | through the computer recycling event in your |
| and indifference to electronic recycling have | | | | town. For corporations this is usually the result of |
| essentially the same consequences - hazardous | | | | an extensive RFP process. Both situations require |
| materials are mishandled and the environment is | | | | due diligence and a sense of responsibility. |
| compromised. The main difference at the | | | | This article is the first in a series of articles on the |
| corporate level versus a single household is the | | | | top 5 computer recycling challenges: e-waste |
| magnitude of the violations and the fines. | | | | regulations, data security, project logistics, total |
| Computer Recycling Reality: A few years ago a | | | | costs and computer recycling accountability. |
| Fortune 1000 company sent out a Request for | | | | |