E-Waste & Electronic Recycling:

Who will Pay?

Congressional Briefing
March 8, 2006
Roger W. Flint
Director, Public Works & Utilities
City of Spokane, Washington
3/10/2006

Our Situation

Americans discard approx 2.5 million

tons of used electronics (2003)
100 million cell phones retired per year
These items contain lead, mercury and
other environmentally sensitive
components
What is the best thing to do with them
for the protection of the environment?

3/10/2006

How Did This Happen?

We have been moving to a more comprehensive

integrated solid waste management system
Our recycling rates have climbed over the past
twenty years but are now flattening out
The easy items have been removed from the waste
stream
Regulations continue to get more stringent
Technology is changing at an rate never seen
before
Little or no reuse options for out-of-date electronics

3/10/2006

Alternatives Considered

The majority of e-waste ends up in a landfill

or incinerated at a waste to energy facility
Recycling of e-waste is becoming a topic of
concern (environmental, liability, expense,
markets)
How can it be done environmentally?
Who assumes the liability?
What are the costs and who pays them?
Do adequate markets exist?

3/10/2006

3/10/2006

Recommendation or Decision

The Congress has been reviewing several

bills
Concerns over mandates without cost and
ability to conduct requirements being
analyzed
Many States are enacting legislation
{

Washington State, Maine, California, Maryland

We need to ensure consistency between

federal and state regulations

3/10/2006

Washington State Pending Legislation

Shared-responsibility model between

manufacturers, retailers, consumers, and
local jurisdictions
State-wide system for computers, monitors,
and televisions
Manufacturer implemented and financed
No charge to households, small business
and governments, school districts, and nonprofits

3/10/2006

Basel Action Network 2005

Basel Action Network 2005

3/10/2006

Our Vision for the Future

We need to set realistic goals

Markets need to be in place before
mandates
Who pays and when needs to be
determined
Need to ensure recycling options do not
create other environmental problems
Need to not shift the liability from the
manufacturer to local governments
Set a realistic timeframe for expected results

3/10/2006

3/10/2006

10

Recycling E-waste Conserves Resources

150

Recovery

100

million tons

200

250

Recovery and discards of MSW, 1960 - 2003

50

Discards

Generation Recovery = Discards

1960

3/10/2006

1965

1970

1975

1980

1985

1990

1995

2000

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Summary

APWA and local jurisdictions support the

recycling of e-waste
Expectations need to be realistic and
achievable
Burden of responsibility should not be
shifted to the disposal facility or local
jurisdiction
Adequate and environmentally sound
recycling markets need to be in place before
mandates are enacted

3/10/2006

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Roger W. Flint
Director, Public Works & Utilities
City of Spokane, Washington

808 W Spokane Falls Blvd

PW & Utilities
Spokane, WA 99201-3333
(509) 625-6272
rflint@spokanecity.org

3/10/2006

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Washington DC Office
1401 K Street, NW, 11th Floor, Washington, DC 20005
Phone: (202) 408-9541 Fax: (202) 408-9542
www.apwa.net/advocacy
3/10/2006

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