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eCycling
As businesses and individuals upgrade existing computer systems and incorporate new technologies, more computers and other electronics are finding their way into the waste stream. By promoting waste prevention, reuse, and recycling, EPA hopes to deter people from sending electronic products to landfills.
EPA has prepared two fact sheets on electronics, the
You will need Adobe Reader to view some of the files on this page. See EPA's PDF page to learn more.
first fact sheet targets businesses outlining the federal regulatory requirements for managing end-of-life electronics (PDF) (20 pp, 1.4MB), and a consumer fact sheet (PDF) (4pp, 987Kb) provides basic information on reuse and recycling of consumer electronic products.
This page provides links to non-EPA web sites that provide additonal information about eCycling.. You will leave the EPA.gov domain and enter another page with more information. EPA cannot attest to the accuracy of information on that non-EPA page. Providing links to a non-EPA Web site is not an endorsement of the other site or the information it contains by EPA or any of its employees. Also, be aware that the privacy protection provided on the EPA.gov domain (see Privacy and Security Notice) may not be available at the external link. 
The Region 5 solid waste program has developed the following objectives in partnership with our states:
- to ensure safe and effective recovery of electronic equipment
- to provide clarity on regulatory issues
- to investigate regional collection and processing capacity and collaborative efforts
Click here for Current Projects and examples of Previous Electronics Projects and Grants.
Regional Initiatives
Current Electronics Projects
Federal Electronics Challenge: The FEC is a voluntary partnership program spearheaded by EPA, the Office of the Federal Environmental Executive and several other agencies. The Challenge encourages federal facilities and agencies to purchase greener electronic products, reduce impacts of electronic products during use, and manage obsolete electronics in an environmentally safe way. While the target audience for the Challenge are federal agencies, many of the tools and presentations that have been developed are useful to a wider range of audiences.
- Region 5 is an FEC Steering Committee Member and provides technical assistance to FEC partner agencies in the Midwest
National Electronics Meeting, March 2005: Region 5 participated in the EPA National Electronics Meeting held in Washington, DC in March 2005. This meeting brought together stakeholders from states, local governments, electronics manufactures and retailers from across the nation, as well as other interested parties to discuss potential collaborative projects. As an outcome of this meeting, Region 5 is participating in several workgroups:
- To study ways to have a third-party organization collect and disperse funds for electronics recycling across a region of several states.
- To work with computer refurbishers to identify ways that refurbishment can be part of the EPA's Plug-in to eCycling program.
- To work with the National Center for Electronics Recycling to further develop of a national data repository for electronics recycling data.
- To pursue third-party certification of recyclers that will evaluate the work that a recycler does.
Environmental Benefits Calculator for Electronics:
EPA is funding a cooperative agreement to the University of Tennessee to research and develop performance metrics and calculator tools to be used by the Federal Electronics Challenge (FEC) and Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool (EPEAT) program participants and federal agencies. The calculator will allow users to measure the benefits of purchasing environmentally preferable products, improving equipment operation, and managing electronic equipment in an environmentally sound manner. Results from the calculator will give users the ability to justify potential price premiums for "greener" electronics and recycling, but also to better communicate the benefits, including:
- Reductions in energy use
- Reductions in CO2/Greenhouse gas emissions
- Reductions in persistent, bio-accumulative toxins (PBT)
- Reductions in virgin material use (increase in recycled materials)
- Reductions in municipal solid waste generation
- Reductions in hazardous waste generation
- Reductions in air and water emissions
- Reductions in cost, where feasible
The calculator tool is expected to be available to FEC partners in early 2006.
Working with states to improve regional electronics recycling infrastructure:
(a) Data Collection: Region 5 is working with our State and local partners to develop a common data standard to track the amount of electronics collected, reused, and recycled throughout the region. This effort mirrors the national electronics recycling data standards used for EPA Plug-In to eCycling pilots.
(b) Collection: Region 5 will facilitate meetings of State recycling officials to explore ways to improve collection infrastructure in the Region.
(c) Transportation: States have identified transportation issues i.e., costs and regulatory questions as a barrier to recycling. Region 5 will work with our State and local partners on these issues.
(d) Facilitate meetings of state representatives that help Region 5 states participate in current discussions about activities in other regions such as third party organizations.
Region 5 eCycling Program Coordinator
Chris Newman
U.S. EPA Region 5
77 W. Jackson Blvd. (DW-8J)
Chicago, IL 60604
Phone: (312) 353-8402
Fax: (312) 353-4788
email: newman.christopherm@epa.gov