“Anything with a Cord!” Electronic Waste Recycling

As of January 2013, businesses and consumers in Pennsylvania can no longer throw electronic devices in the trash. YAY…right? This important new state regulation, the Pennsylvania Covered Device Recycling Act, has many benefits but also complications. Where does the recycled stuff go? Who uses it, for what? Who pays? Until recently, for example, cathode ray tubes (CRTs) from televisions and monitors were melted down and turned into new ones. But flat screen technology has taken over, shoving even more CRTs into the heap with nowhere to go, creating what industry experts call a “glass tsunami” of useless material. (Unwanted Electronic Gear Rising in Toxic Piles, NYTimes, March 2013)

At our August meeting, Dave Peterson, of ECOvanta in Philadelphia, will give us an interesting industry perspective of the challenges, practices and opportunities in the electronic waste and recycling business. ECOVanta holds e-Stewards Responsible Recycling (R2) certification and reports that 99% of e-waste the company receives is recycled and downstream waste partners are routinely audited. Dave Peterson has a long history in the waste management business and holds an MS in Environmental Science.

Information about local resources for processing electronic waste will also be available at this meeting (Any handouts will be printed on 100% post-consumer waste!) Please bring your questions and information or experience you may have recycling electronics locally. Thank you.

After the meeting, plan to stick around and chat with friends old and new. We’re also interested in your ideas for MAREA speakers, activities and services. Light snacks will be served. Hope to see you there!

For questions, contact Vera Cole,[masked] or [masked].