Resources – End of Life Management

The resources below are provided to assist Partners in the management of unwanted electronic equipment.  These resources cover donation for reuse by third parties as well as environmentally sound recycling. Partners should also check to see if their state has additional requirements or contracts for equipment disposition. [Go to State Links.] 

Resources aimed at extending the life of equipment within your organization are provided on the Operations & Maintenance Resource page. Additional resources will be added as they are developed or identified.

General

• Electronics Environmental Benefits Calculator
  The Electronics Environmental Benefits Calculator (EEBC) allows organizations to quantify the environmental benefits of computer and cell phone reuse and recycling, including reductions in greenhouse gases, energy, and wastes. The Microsoft Excel spreadsheet can be downloaded from the University of Tennessee Web site. Additional information and instructions on how to use the EEBC are available on this Web site. The EEBC also estimates the benefits of purchasing EPEAT™-registered products.

Reuse and Donation

There may be useful life left in your unwanted equipment. Reuse and donation programs help put useful equipment into the hands of organizations and individuals that can use them.  Partners should first check with their organization for any policies or procedures for handling unwanted equipment.

• Do the PC Thing
  This U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Web site promotes the donation of unwanted computer equipment.  A video and brochure on donating equipment and erasing data are available for downloading. Links to donation programs are also provided.
  
  
• Where Can I Donate Computers and Cell Phones?
  This U.S.EPA site provides links to organizations that provide reuse services or link donors and recipient organizations.

• Sample Instructions to Recipients of Donated Equipment
  This document, authored by the Federal Electronics Challenge, provides an example of the type of instructions that an organization might provide to the recipient of its equipment.

Recycling

Electronics contain reusable materials as well as hazardous materials that may pose a threat to the environment and human health if not disposed of properly. Ensuring responsible electronics recycling is good for the environment and your facility. The following resources will help you develop a recycling program and to select a reputable electronics recycler.

• Options for Defining Environmentally Sound Management of Electronics
  The State Electronics Challenge (SEC) developed this list of examples of how an SEC Partner might choose to define environmentally sound management (ESM) of electronics, in the absence of a single, nationally recognized system for the certification of electronics recyclers. The examples include guidelines on equipment and materials handling, programs that certify electronics recycling facilities, and self-assessment checklists.
  
  
• EPA Plug Into eCycling Guidelines for Materials Management
  These voluntary guidelines developed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency define preferred waste management practices for electronics. The Guidelines encourage entities that handle used electronic equipment to maximize reuse, refurbishment, and recycling over disposal and incineration; ensure that exported electronic products are being sent for legitimate reuse, recycling, or refurbishment; and provide for special handling of components that may contain substances of concern.
  
  
• Checklist for Selection of Electronics Recycling Services
  This checklist, developed by the Federal Electronics Challenge, provides basic questions to ask an electronics recycler about its operations, and can be completed over the telephone with a potential vendor. It was designed as an initial screening tool to be followed by a more thorough evaluation such as an onsite review using the guidelines below.
  
  
• Guidelines for Onsite Reviews of Electronics Recyclers
  These guidelines, developed by the Federal Electronics Challenge, can be used to conduct an on-site evaluation of a contractor that your organization might be considering for managing its surplus equipment. This document provides a detailed list of questions to ask a potential vendor and tips on how to interpret responses and what generally accepted practices are.
  
  
• Packaging Instructions for Recycling Equipment
  This document, developed by the Federal Electronics Challenge, provides step-by-step guidance on packaging equipment prior to transfer for recycling. It includes instructions for electronic peripherals, CPUs, and computer monitors, and lists specific packaging materials that can be used to prevent breakage and contamination.
  
  
• Collection & Processing of Residential Electronics
  This resource, developed by the Northeast Recycling Council, Inc., provides state-specific information on the collection and processing of residential electronics in the 10 Northeast states. The links provide listings of collection events and recyclers in the states.
  
  
• Electronics Industry Alliance (EIA) E-Cycling Central
  This web-based resource provides a searchable, state-by-state listing of reuse, recycling, and donation programs.

• Manufacturer Asset Recovery and Recycling Programs
  Some computer manufacturers offer asset recovery and recycling programs for institutional customers and consumers.  Check with your organization’s purchasing agent to see if computer asset recovery and recycling services are covered in existing contracts. Links to manufacturer asset recovery programs are provided below for informational purposes only, and do not imply an endorsement of these services.
  
      Apple
  
      Dell
          Asset Recovery & Recycling (for businesses & institutions)
          Recycling & Donation (for consumers)
  
      Gateway
  
      Hewlett Packard

Model Legislation

• Regional Model Legislation for Electronics Recycling
  This Model Legislation was a collaborative project of the Council of State Governments/Eastern Regional Conference and the Northeast Recycling Council, Inc.
  
  
• New York State Wireless Telephone Legislation
  This legislation requires cellular telephone service providers to accept your unwanted phone for reuse and recycling.