Q: What kinds of Waste Electronic Devices are banned from landfill disposal?
Banned Electronic Devices, (whether generated by businesses or households), cannot be disposed in the trash. Electronic Devices banned from landfill disposal include:
Computers, peripherals, computer monitors, cathode ray tubes, televisions, printers, personal electronics such as personal digital assistants and music players, electronic game consoles, printers, fax machines, all telephones, answering machines, videocassette recorders, digital versatile disc players, digital converter boxes, stereo equipment, and power supply cords (as used to charge electronic devices). There are many other electronic devices that are not included in this list; however it is recommended that devices that contain potential hazardous components such as circuit boards and screens be managed in the same manner even if they are not specifically banned from landfill disposal
Q: What devices are considered “Electronic Waste” under the electronic waste law? (i.e., collected at E-cycles locations for free from covered entities)?
• Computers (such as desktops, all-in-one computers, laptops, notebooks, netbooks, and tablets)
• Computer monitors (any type, i.e., CRTs, flat panel displays, LCD displays, plasma displays)
• Printers (most types including multifunctional machines – does not include floor-standing models)
• Televisions (any type, i.e., CRTs, flat panel displays, LCD displays, plasma displays)
• Computer Peripherals (items sold exclusively for external use which connect to a computer such as a mouse, keyboard, scanner, external hard drive, modem, UPS, computer speakers, etc.)
Note: A covered entity is a household, charity, school district, business with 10 or fewer employees.
Q: Are there special management requirements for Banned Electronic Devices?
Banned Electronic Devices must be stored on an impervious surface and within a structure or transportation unit such that the electronic device is protected from precipitation. Outdoor storage is prohibited at any time. Electronic devices should be managed in a manner adequate to prevent breakage during transportation, storage, and handling. Waste “Banned Electronic Devices” may be labeled as “Electronic Waste,” “Used Electronics” or another term approved by the Secretary. The accumulation of electronic devices must be limited to one year from the date it becomes a waste or is received.
Q: Can I put Electronic Devices into the scrap metal recycling bin?
Whole “electronic waste” devices (i.e. computers, printers, monitors, computer peripherals, and televisions) collected from anyone cannot be placed in the scrap metal bin. It is recommended that all other electronic
devices that contain a circuit board or other hazardous constituents also not be placed in a scrap metal recycling bin.
Q: How do I manage a broken or damaged Banned Electronic Device?
Some electronic devices are fragile and subject to breakage (e.g., Cathode Ray Tubes (CRTs), flat panel and LCD display screens) and therefore pose a potential threat to human health and the environment because they contain hazardous substances such as lead and mercury. Other electronic devices that contain hazardous components that are more rugged (i.e., circuit boards, batteries, capacitors) under normal conditions (i.e., not bulging or leaking) pose less of a threat.
As such, the decision about how to manage broken electronic devices should be based according to the type(s) of hazardous components contained within a device as follows:
• Damaged Electronic Devices with intact components such as circuit boards (i.e. keyboard, mouse, desktop computer) and plasma screen devices whose only hazardous components are intact components, do not require any additional treatment beyond storing the devices on an impervious surface, within a structure that sheds rain and snow, and packaged in a manner to protect the device sufficiently (even if they are damaged) from any additional damage.
• Broken Cathode Ray Tubes or “CRTs” (i.e., older televisions and computer monitors that contain leaded glass) If the CRT glass is broken or shows evidence of damage that could cause a release of glass particles under reasonably foreseeable conditions, the glass must be: Placed in a closed container that is structurally sound and protects further breakage of the glass.
Labeled or marked with one of the following phrases: “Universal Waste-Cathode Ray Tube(s),” or “Waste Cathode Ray Tube(s),” or “used Cathode Ray Tube(s),” or “universal Waste-CRT(s),” or “Waste CRT(s),” or “Used CRT(s).”
• Broken Electronic Devices that contain mercury lamps (e.g. Liquid Cathode Display “LCD” Displays)-where there is evidence that the lamp is broken: Clean up immediately and place in a closed container that is structurally sound, protects from further breakage, and is compatible with the waste (i.e. not a metal container).
Do not vacuum broken lamps as this may spread any mercury vapor.
If the screen is broken and the lamps are intact, the device must be protected and managed in a way to prevent further damage and potential breakage of the lamps during storage.
• Bulging or Leaking Batteries Contain any battery that shows evidence of leakage, spillage, or damage that could cause leakage under reasonably foreseeable conditions in a container.
The container must be closed, structurally sound, compatible with the contents of the battery, and must lack evidence of leakage, spillage, or damage that could cause leakage under reasonably foreseeable conditions.
Containers used to store broken electronic devices must be labeled to identify the contents as “broken electronic devices” and can be shipped to a recycling facility along with other containers of intact electronic devices. Multiple broken electronic devices can be placed into one collection container provided the comingled waste does not have incompatible hazardous waste constituents.
Q: When does the Vermont E-Cycle Program start?
The Vermont E-Cycle Program goes into effect on July 1, 2011, but the process of signing up collection locations is ongoing. You do not need to be signed up by the start of the program in order to participate. Facilities can join and leave the program at any time.
Q: Does every Vermont facility need to participate?
All facilities in Vermont accepting Electronic Waste for recycling must register with the State Agency of Natural Resources. Those facilities that wish to participate in the Manufacturer sponsored Vermont E-Cycle Program managed by NRRA, to provide free electronics recycling to “Covered Entities” in Vermont should also sign up with NRRA. If your location(s) do not want to participate, you can continue to collect as usual.
Q: How do I register for the Vermont E-Cycle Program?
First, read over the Getting Started sheet. Then, register with ANR and fill out and return a Collection Location MOU. A representative from one of our primary recyclers will be in touch to help you get started.
Q: Will I earn any revenue from this program?
It depends on how your e-waste is sorted, collected and transported. Check with Good Point Recycling for specific information regarding payment terms, click here to contact.
Q: Is there any signage available for this program?
Yes there is. As of July 2011, we have signs on order, including a poster for retailers, an electronics disposal ban poster, and a poster for collection locations
Q: Are there any collection and storage requirements regulated by the State?
Yes there are! Please check out the Collection and Storage sheet to make sure you comply with state regulations.
Q: I have a question about the program, who do I call?
If you have any questions at all about the MOU, the rate sheet, or the program logistics, please contact us at vtewaste@nrra.net and either Mike Durfor or Norm Staunton will get back to as soon as possible. When calling for general questions about the program Norm and Mike can be reached at 1-800-223-0150 x 19. Please call your NRRA Member Services Representative for questions about pick-ups.
Q: Who and when do I call to schedule a pick-up of my E-Waste material?
Each Vermont city and town is assigned a Member Services Representative to help you schedule pick-ups of your e-waste. They can also help you with any questions you may have once already enrolled in the program. When you are at 75% of E –Waste Capacity, Call (800) 223-0150 and ask to speak with your Member Services Representative to schedule a pick up. To find out who your representative is, look here. Dial the 800 number and use the extension for your representative. Bonnie (ext. 18), Marilyn (ext. 11), or Adam (ext. 14) will complete a brief, one-time information sheet with you, and then schedule your first e-waste pickup.
