Electronics Update

by Terri Cronin

Looking for a facility in your area that recycles electronic equipment? The Electronic Product Management Directory was recently updated and expanded and now has more than 300 listings. CIWMB staff contacted every county and many individual cities in California. As a result, 165 local government-coordinated e-waste collection programs are now listed in the directory. While many local programs primarily serve residents, some are open to small and medium-sized businesses. Often the local government programs are coordinated by the household hazardous waste (HHW) program or through the waste management department within your city or county. Adjustments to the directory have improved the listings, so you can quickly find the information you need.

TIP: When using the electronic directory, be sure to search adjacent counties since many recyclers provide service to a regional area, not just the community where their business is located. Look on the EPMD at www.ciwmb.ca.gov/electronics collection to check new listings to serve your needs.

One new facility, located in Hayward, is operated by Sims Group North America. The new 30,000-square foot facility will help California address the challenge of managing the expanding volume of electronic waste. Sims Group established a partnership with Recycle America Alliance to provide a supply of electronic equipment for demanufacturing. Sims Group expects the facility to serve customers from northern and central California, including local governments and corporate accounts. For more information about the facility, contact Scott Miller at (510) 412-5300.

Extreme Makeover: You might not recognize the Electronic Product Management Web page on your next visit. As the first page on the CIWMB Web site “converted” to the new template established by the Governor’s office, the page has a completely new look with red and gray colors and a redesigned header. Fortunately, the content and navigation bar remain the same. Eventually, all other pages on the CIWMB Web site will have the same template.

Guidelines now available: Looking for ways to improve management of electronic equipment at your organization? See the “Guidelines for Procurement, Use and End-of-Life Management of Electronic Equipment” posted on the CIWMB Web site: www.ciwmb.ca.gov/Electronics/Procurement/PUEOL/. These guidelines identify ways to save money and use less resources over the life of your electronic equipment. Companion materials are also available and include model language to help incorporate requirements into contracts with equipment vendors and service providers. While developed for State agencies in California, other organizations and local governments can benefit from these resources. Implementing the guidelines can help reduce your overall cost of ownership—including reduced energy consumption—and properly manage your equipment once it reaches the end of its useful life.

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Last updated: August 01, 2008