Consumer Electronic Waste
“E-waste”
Community POWER Grantee Meeting
October 15, 2008
Presentation Outline
1. The Problem
• What is e-waste?
• Environmental concerns
• Trends driving growth
2. Minnesota Solutions
• Minnesota Electronics
Recycling Act
3. How Can You Help?
• Raise awareness
• Promote recycling
opportunities
What is E-waste?

Any waste that has a
circuit board or cathode ray tube (CRT)

Minnesota’s definition includes:
Televisions
Computers:
central processing units (CPUs), monitors, laptops
Computer keyboards, speakers, printers, and other peripherals
VCRs and DVD players
Fax machines
…from HOUSEHOLDS
What are the Environmental
Concerns?

Key contaminants:
 Lead in CRTs & circuit
boards
 Cadmium in contacts &
switches
 Brominated flame
retardants in plastics

Hazards to human
health and the
environment if
improperly managed.
Growth of E-waste:
Technology Trends
Technological advances speed up obsolescence &
lead to more e-waste
 PC lifespan falling to estimated 2 years
Improved TVs/monitors: HD, LCD, plasma
 Digital television transition set for
Feb. 17, 2009

Growth of E-waste:
Digital Television Transition

If you use “rabbit ears” or rooftop
antenna with an analog TV, you must act.
Options:
 Buy a converter
box to plug into your TV
 Connect your analog TV to cable, satellite or other pay service
 Buy a TV with a digital tuner

For more information, see:
www.dtv.gov
www.dtvtransition.org
www.dtvanswers.com
www.getreadyfordigitaltv.com
Minnesota Solutions
Minnesota Solution: CRT Disposal Ban
2003 Session: Prohibition passes
Effective July 1, 2005, a person may not
place in mixed municipal solid waste an
electronic product containing a cathoderay tube.
Minn. Statute 115A.9565
Minnesota Solution:
Electronics Recycling Act
Passed in the 2007 Session
 Began July 1, 2007
 Manufacturer Responsibility based on sales weight


Not based on return share or consumer fees on products
as in other states
Requires registration and reporting by all parties
involved

Manufacturers, Collectors, Recyclers and Retailers
What Can You Do?
Raise Awareness
Promote Recycling Opportunities
E-Waste Tool Kit
SWMCB developed a tool kit to help municipalities,
counties, and other entities promote e-waste
recycling to residents.
 Tool
kit includes:





8 images
3 advertisement templates
2 utility bill insert templates
4 articles
Top 10 Facts and Top Questions from Residents
SWMCB’s Key Messages & Strategies
1. Easy & convenient


Many recycling locations in the Twin Cities
Find sites at GreenGuardian.com
Key Messages & Strategies
2. De-clutter

Motivate people to “get rid
of, clean out”
Key Messages & Strategies
3. Use trigger events

Holidays, Super Bowl,
back-to-school
What are the Tools?
Advertising Templates
What are the tools?
Free Images to Download
What are the tools?
Fact sheets & Articles







Terminology
Top 10 Facts
Top Questions from
Residents
“Recycle Your
Electronics”
“Clean out Your
Clutter”
“The Super Bowl…”
Web articles
Where can households recycle e-waste?
Lists of collection sites are available at:

Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
www.pca.state.mn.us/electronics

Solid Waste Management Coordinating Board
www.greenguardian.com

Hennepin County Environmental Services
www.hennepin.us
keyword search: a to z. Click on “electronics.”
What to do before you recycle…
Identity and other personal information can be
stolen from a computer, cell phone, or other data
storage devices.
Before recycling your electronics, protect yourself
from identity theft by removing personal data and
your files.
For information on how to remove data, check with
the manufacturer, the recycler, or search the
Internet.
Comments & Questions?
Amy Roering
Hennepin County
(612) 348-8992
amy.roering@co.hennepin.mn.us
www.hennepin.us