1996 Electronics Industry Environmental Roadmap - Civil and ...

Disposition
returned to (relatively) virgin states. In some cases, where characteristics of the material cannot
be restored to sufficient quality for use or no economically viable secondary market exists, they
will have to be appropriately separated and disposed of.
5.5.2 PELM Business Opportunities
Currently, the primary business opportunities for handling retired computer systems fall into four
categories:
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Direct reuse, in which typically older but usable equipment is tested and sold or donated
to other entities that do not require the latest equipment. This is frequently handled by
not-for-profit organizations with schools, developing countries, or charitable
organizations as the recipients.
Refurbishment/remanufacturing, in which the systems are collected from end-user sites
and reconditioned to a state that would allow them to be resold as functioning systems
through factory outlets or other channels.
Reclamation and reselling of components, in which the electronic circuitry and
components are recovered and incorporated into other products, where the processing
power or functionality of the reclaim components would be sufficient. Marketing
disclosure of used parts and Underwriter Laboratory (UL) requirements may exist.
Salvage and recycling, in which materials are removed from the electronic system and recycled
for their raw material value. Plastics, precious metals, glass, and a wide variety of
other materials are candidates for reclamation and recycling.
Each of the alternatives has to be weighed against energy recovery and land disposal. While
these disposition alternatives have environmental risks and consequences, including penalties
imposed by regulations and restrictions, they may still be a preferable option for some individuals
or businesses.
5.5.3 Model and Pilot Programs
Discussions are ongoing in the U.S., Europe, and Japan regarding the most effective mechanism
for promoting electronic-product disposition. The approaches range from mandatory means to a
system that relies on market forces to establish the infrastructure needed for effective disposition.
These discussions have gained in momentum over the past few years, and, as a result, a number
of programs are emerging in the U.S. and abroad that address some aspects of electronic-product
disposition. The scope of these programs are wider than electronic equipment, as their primary
goal is to reduce the volume of materials reaching landfills or reduce the toxic materials reaching
waste-to-energy facilities. As such, they include white goods (e.g., refrigerators and washing machines)
as well as a range of brown goods (e.g., televisions and video-cassette recorders). In
1995, at least four states—Minnesota, New Jersey, Rhode Island, and Texas—have stepped forward
with PELM proposals.
Minnesota: After experiencing two consecutive decades of dramatic growth in the use of electronic
appliances by every sector of society, Minnesota has issued a broad assessment of the
effect of electronic appliances on solid waste systems and is evaluating potential problems when
electronic appliances reach the MSW. In August 1995, the Minnesota Office of Environmental