Why Wait? E-Cycle Now!

by Margaret Bota
 
On January 1, 2011, there will be a disposal ban for all e-waste in Connecticut. This means that you will no longer be able to throw your e-waste in the trash. Why have a restriction like this? Because too many people are dumping their electronics in the garbage. But the good news is we don't have to. Environmentally conscious citizens and businesses unite! E-cycle now!
 
The State of Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection (CT DEP) plans to implement the bill for four years. While still in progress, this bill will do two things: Ban all covered electronic devices (CEDs) larger than a pager from landfills and incinerators; Change the way companies and consumers will dispose of their e-waste.
 
The reason for this ban is that lead, mercury, cadmium and brominated flame retardants are among the toxins in e-waste. When these electronics become obsolete at the end of life (EOL), they can cause waste problems if not properly managed.

 
According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), electronics are the fastest-growing portion of America's trash and nearly 250 million computers will reach EOL between the years 2005 and 2010. Of the over 2 million tons of TVs, cell phones and computer products ready for EOL management, 18% (414,000 tons) were collected for recycling and 82% (nearly 2 million tons) were disposed of primarily in landfills.

Regulated by law, 

CEDs are computers, computer monitors, and televisions generated from households. The CT DEP is developing regulations, which may expand that list to include similar e-waste items such as printers, keyboards, cell phones, VCRs and other electronic devices not covered by the law. E-waste from non-residential sources (commercial, governmental, retail, etc.) is regulated under current federal EPA and state DEP hazardous waste laws. They must be managed as either hazardous waste or a universal waste.
 
Don’t wait until 2011 to e-cycle! Residents can begin to recycle their CEDs now at no cost.
 
Electronic Recycling & Research Corporation (ER&R), a pending non-profit e-waste recycling company, is providing an outlet for your e-waste now. They also continue to accept different types of e-waste as the laws become more stringent. Located on 97 West Avenue in Stratford CT, ER&R collects, processes, and recycles e-waste for southwestern Connecticut at no cost to residents. They do not export any waste but instead use local recyclers. The only instance in which local recyclers are not used is with the cathode ray tubes (CRT’s) found in monitors. They pride themselves on constantly researching new technologies, ideas, and markets in order to reduce the cost of recycling to remain on the cutting edge of this new industry.
 
As the year progresses and we get closer to the ban, some e-waste recycling companies will start charging exorbitant amounts to take business-generated e-waste, simply because there is no alternative.

“As a non-profit company director, I know first hand how tough the economy is, the problems generating sales, and the dwindling revenue needed to continue expanding,” said Alex Simeone, founder of ER&R Corp. “We understand that the last thing you need is another bill. When the Connecticut e-waste law takes effect, dumping and incineration will be prohibited.  The economy will not be that much better then it is today, thus in a very short time the cost of recycling e-waste, for businesses, will be more expensive then ever.”

ER&R has grown over 200% in the past two years saving over 100,000 lbs. of e-waste from ending up in landfills or incineration. This is all thanks to the environmentally conscious minded residents, businesses, and towns of Connecticut.

Residents can drop off unwanted electronics at their warehouse at no cost. Pick up service is available, by appointment only, for a nominal fee. Businesses, on the other hand, can create a plan with ER&R that will focus on complete collection and pick-up, with limited fees and responsible recycling of all e-waste. ER&R can also provide a collection container and tailor an agreement suitable to your business needs. This would depend on how much e-waste your company generates and, of course, your budget.
  
For Electronic Recycling and Research Corp. hours of operation, and extended drop of hours, please visit our website at www.erxrcorp.org or call 203-540-5561.

Besides ER&R, there are other organizations in the state that will help as well. In a previous article on this site, we linked to those sites to help you find the place nearest you to recycle all your electronics.
 
To view the Connecticut e-waste recycling bill please visit the Connecticut DEP website at www.ct.gov/dep/site.