Which companies have helped fund this program? Canon, Hewlett Packard, JVC, Kodak, Nokia, Panasonic, Philips Consumer Electronics North America, Sharp, Sony, and Thomson multimedia have contributed funds to this project.
Why is this project necessary? The use of electronic products has dramatically changed and improved the way we live. However, there is concern that demand for new electronic products will result in the generation of large volumes of used or discarded electronic products. This concern has prompted state and local governments to consider policy options for recycling used electronic equipment. EIA hopes that the data generated by this program will contribute to the development of cost effective and efficient electronics recycling programs in the United States.
Why is industry partnering with federal, state, and local governments on this project? We believe in shared responsibility. All stakeholders, consumers, manufacturers, retailers, governments, and recyclers have a role to play in helping promote the re-use and recycling of used electronics.
Regions, states and municipalities, however, play a key role. EIA recognizes the growing interest federal, state, and local governments have shown in electronics recycling and we want to be a constructive participant in developing effective solutions to address this issue.
Government agencies can reduce regulatory barriers, promote the development of needed infrastructure, and provide economic incentives for electronic recycling solutions to emerge. EIA believes that we can make the most progress toward workable solutions by partnering with all levels of government in this endeavor.
Which governmental entities have been selected as recipients of EIA Recycling Grants? The United States Environmental Protection Agency Region III, which consists of Delaware, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia and the District of Columbia; the State of Florida; and the Northeast Recycling Council (NERC) – a multi-state non-profit organization focused on promoting recycling market development. NERC consists of solid waste and recycling officials from the following states: Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Vermont.
Why have these grantees been chosen? EIA received over twenty proposals from federal, state, local governments, and interest groups and selected three proposals for funding. US EPA Region III, Florida, and NERC were selected because they offer favorable regulatory conditions for testing electronics recycling models. They are also willing to test different collection models and to provide additional funds.
What types of electronic recycling models will be tested? Electronics recycling models differ in their implementation. Under a "municipal" model, local governments collect used electronics – either through curb-side collection, similar to the pick-up for typical household trash, or through special collection events where consumers drop-off used electronics at local collection centers. Under a "retailer" model, participating retailers agree to collect used electronics – either at special promotional events or when new products are purchased. EIA plans to work with grantees to test several variations on these models so that collected data will illustrate the economic and logistical advantages of each model.
What does EPA Region III plan to do with the EIA grant? EPA Region III is working with state, and local governments, electronics manufacturers, electronics recyclers, transporters, and retailers to develop an electronics recycling program that will be implemented throughout the Region III area. States included in Region III are Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia and the District of Columbia. This initiative, known as the e-Cycling Project, will be officially launched on October 20, 2001. EPA Region III plans to use the EIA grant to help defray recycling costs that will be incurred during this program. The e-Cycling Project will help local and municipal governments as well as retailers hold electronics recycling collection events and arrange for the recycling of collected material. EIA will also assist the e-Cycling team by providing guidance and assisting in data analysis.
What does the Northeast Recycling Council (NERC) plan to do with the EIA grant? NERC is a charitable non-profit organization that consists of the recycling and solid waste officials of Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Vermont. NERC plans to implement an electronics recycling program in Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont. NERC will provide guidance and funds to rural local governments to assist them in hosting electronics recycling collection events. NERC plans to use the EIA grant to conduct data analysis that will test multi-state collaboration, regional collection strategies, and transportation cost models in rural areas of the Northeast. EIA will assist NERC in providing guidance and data analysis.
What does the State of Florida plan to do with the EIA grant? The State of Florida has been heavily involved in the management of end of life electronics for approximately three years. Florida's Department of Environmental Protection has awarded over $1,440,000 in grants to over eighteen county governments to design, implement and sustain an electronic products collection and recycling program in conjunction with Florida's already established Household Hazardous Waste Programs. Florida plans to use the EIA grant to help expand electronics recycling programs in Florida counties. EIA will also assist the State of Florida by providing guidance and assisting in data analysis.
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