The Future of Electronic Waste Management in California

ITI Environmental Leadership CouncilOctober 3, 2018

• Passed in 2003

• Established a system to support the recovery and recycling of covered electronic waste (CEW)

• Highly successful:Nearly 2.3 billion pounds of CEW collected and properly managed

Robust collection & recycling network – new business opportunities

Free collection opportunities throughout the state

Cost relief for local government

Electronic Waste Recycling Act - SB 20

2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017

Non-CRT CEW 43,035 70,698 128,645 234,385 518,186 1,354,261 2,220,497 3,390,096 4,159,422 5,754,842 9,179,570 12,938,758 18,326,174

CRT CEW 64,389,782 126,567,589 184,001,227 219,279,718 184,608,662 192,183,827 195,418,977 208,612,778 197,514,080 177,646,847 166,208,186 140,132,266 109,829,561

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Covered Electronic Waste Recycling Payment System2005-2017 Pounds of CRT and Non-CRT CEW Claimed for Payment

CEW Recycling Program Dynamics

• Concerns about availability / cost of residual CRT glass marketsLimited CRT glass outlets / capacityDisposal has become the primary option

• Commodity prices have risen in the last yearsPlastics exports impacted by National Sword Policy

• Increasing amounts of non-CRT CEW – Challenges:Devices lighter and harder to dismantleResidual management cost (plasma panel management, CCFL handling and treatment

concerns, markets for LCD residuals?)Miniaturization, less intrinsic material value)

CEW Recycling Program Recent Actions

• Removed prohibitions regarding the disposition of treatment residual cathode ray tube (CRT) glass

• Bifurcated the single payment rate paid to recyclers to establish separate payment rates for CRT CEW and non-CRT CEW

• Increased payment rate for non-CRT CEW paid to recyclers

• Removed various obligations and streamlined reporting requirements for management of non-CRT CEW

Futures Project

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Project Activities

Background Available at: http://www.calrecycle.ca.gov/Electronics/Future/Default.htm

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July 2016 Survey Identified Priorities

CalRecycle Hosted 4 Workshops and Numerous Conference Calls

CalRecycle Presented Recommendations at May 2018 Public Meeting

Vision for Managing E-Waste

Move beyond sole hazardous waste focus

Greater emphasis on resource recovery, waste hierarchy

Prioritize products with greatest health & safety risk

Support Circular Economy

Encourage Reuse, repair, and product longevity

Add Products

Add new products to definition of covered electronic device. • Adopt WEEE Directive definition.• Prioritize products with battery or mercury lamp.

Key Enhancement Recommendations

Public Education & Outreach

Products

Point of purchase information, statewide campaign

Key Enhancement Recommendations

ManufacturerResponsibility

Strengthen reporting, labeling of hazardous materials, public education, making progress to improve product durability

Key Enhancement Recommendations

Repair & Reuse Incentives

Facilitate Partnerships with repair organizations, support right-to-repair laws, consider “modulated fees”

Market Development

Grants, loans, EPEAT, rural collection incentive

Key Enhancement Recommendations

Research Surveys/studies, new processes & technologies, design for environment standards or labeling

Streamlining Claim Documentation

Electronic claim submittal

Adjust Payment Rate Annually

Currently payment rates adjusted biannually

Change Fee Collection

From retailer to manufacturer level

Key Enhancement Recommendations

ProgramModels Considered

Enhance the Current CEW Fee & Payment Model

Develop & Transition to Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Model

Combination: Keep Current CEW Program & Develop EPR for CEW

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Key Advantages

All entities familiar with and operating in existing system

Continues collection and recycling activities without significant disruption

Maintains strong assurances of compliant downstream activities

Recommendation: Expand and Enhance Fee and Payment System

Key Disadvantages

Increased administrative costs

Manufacturers don’t have role in end-of-life management of their products

Potential complexity of multiple fees at retail level

Requires 2/3 vote of legislature

Recommendation: Expand and Enhance Fee and Payment System

Key Advantages

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Significantly reduces state administrative costs

Manufacturers fund and implement collection and recycling programs

Requires simple majority vote

Not Recommended At This Time: Pursue Transition to EPR Model

Key Disadvantages

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Difficult transition – disruption to existing, successful system

Some manufacturers assume responsibility for legacy devices

To keep costs low, waste devices might not be managed to highest and best use

Not Recommended At This Time: Pursue Transition to EPR Model

Recommendation on Emerging Technologies

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Solar Panels Electric Car Batteries

Subscribe to the E-Waste ListServ:http://www.calrecycle.ca.gov/Listservs/Subscribe.aspx?ListID=10

CalRecycle Electronic Waste Managementhttps://www.calrecycle.ca.gov/Electronics/

Ana-Maria Stoian-Chu Manager, Electronic Waste Recycling Program(916)-341-6368Ana-Maria.Stoian-Chu@CalRecycle.ca.govcalrecycle.ca.gov