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CIWMB purchases, uses and replaces electronic equipment to meet changing
business needs. In keeping with the CIWMB's mission to reduce waste in
California, attention is given to minimizing the waste associated with this
electronic equipment.
Three main areas that provide opportunity to reduce waste from electronics are discussed in this case study:
As CIWMB continues to improve its electronic equipment management efforts,
progress and accomplishments will be added to this page. The most recent
activities are listed first in the below descriptions.
Purchase of EPEAT-registered Computers
The Electroinic Product Environmental
Assessment Tool (EPEAT) was developed in 2006 and is a system in which
manufacturers declare their products’ conformance to a comprehensive set of
environmental criteria in 8 environmental performance categories. The operation
of EPEAT and the environmental criteria are contained in a public standard
IEEE 1680. Using EPEAT helps
purchasers in the public and private sectors evaluate, compare and select
desktop computers, notebooks and monitors based on their environmental
attributes. It also helps manufacturers by providing a clear and consistent set
of performance criteria for the design of products, and provides an opportunity
for manufacturers to secure market recognition for efforts to reduce the
environmental impact of its products.
For its most recent computer upgrade in 2007/2008, CIWMB selected a vendor
and computer model that was registered via EPEAT. The selected computer met
CIWMB's business needs and was also registered at the "silver" level, meaning
that it met or exceeded all of the 23 required EPEAT criteria and at least 14 of
the optional criteria. In addition, as explained elsewhere, CIWMB is also
aggressively implementing advanced power management capabilities under the new
equipment and operating system (Windows Vista) and hopes to achieve and
successfully document significant power savings.
Reduced Packaging
Whenever a large quantity procurement of computers or components is
initiated, CIWMB specifically requests that vendors use as little packaging
as possible.
Examples:
- In June 2007, as a provision in their order for replacement
computer systems, CIWMB stipulated that the systems be delivered in
"reusable" containers with minimal packaging. The computer systems were
stacked and shipped on reusable wooden pallets, with cardboard placed
between layers to prevent damage during shipping, and then the entire pallet
was plastic-wrapped to secure the load to the pallet. The end result was
minimal packaging required, and all packaging recycled. For additional
components that came in separate cardboard boxes such as keyboards, all
packaging was recycled.
- In June 1998, the CIWMB ordered more than 500 DFI 233 MHz computer systems
from a local vendor as part of a technology refresh upgrade. Typically, new
computer systems are individually shipped in relatively large boxes with a
significant amount of packaging materials surrounding the computer. However,
since these were sturdy systems with sheet metal cases, CIWMB requested that
the vendor simply wrap each system in plastic and pack as many computers to
a box as possible. The computers were delivered in about 25 large cardboard
boxes on pallets, each of which contained about 20 computer systems closely
packed in the box, with no polystyrene packaging blocks. Again, by requiring
bulk packaging, CIWMB was able to significantly reduce the amount of
packaging materials and storage space requirements. After the systems were
unpacked, the shipping company left with the pallets and the IMB staff
recycled the 25 large cardboard boxes.
- In June 1997, as part of a planned operating system upgrade, the CIWMB
upgraded all desktop computer hard drives by replacing the 240-megabyte (MB)
disk drives with 2.1 gigabyte (GB) drives. Bulk packaging was required of
the vendor when the components were ordered. As opposed to individual
component packaging, the hard drives were packaged 20 to a box. Again, by
requiring bulk packaging CIWMB was able to significantly reduce the amount
of packaging materials and storage space requirements.
- In June 1996, the CIWMB made the decision to upgrade the processors in its
Dell desktop computers from Intel 486 to Pentium Overdrive POD83 processor
chips. If these had been purchased as standard "boxed" processors,
CIWMB would have received 500 boxes and foam packing, etc., which would have
required a significant amount of storage space. Instead, the Board's
Information Management Branch (IMB) procurement staff made arrangements with
the vendor supplying the processor chips to bulk package them in just five
boxes, each of which included 5 chip trays containing 20 chips per tray. As
a result, the total amount of packaging materials and storage space
requirements was reduced by approximately 95 percent.
Reduced Energy Consumption and Improved Recyclability
CIWMB adheres to environmentally preferable purchasing practices.
Examples:
- In almost all instances, CIWMB procures computer systems with steel
cases (as opposed to plastic) since a significant portion of steel is
already manufactured from recycled material and because steel can be easily
recycled at the end of the equipment life.
- CIWMB procures small form factor computer systems with minimal but
adequate expandability. As a result, these systems are smaller and consume
less electrical power than "standard" systems.
- CIWMB implements power management features on displays and computer
systems to the extent supported by the software and hardware technology.
CIWMB implements technologies such as Wake-On-LAN to allow for
administrative tasks to be performed off-hours without operator
intervention.
- CIWMB has completely replaced all traditional CRT devices with Flat
Panel Displays to reduce energy consumption and reduce electronic waste
disposal volume.
Recycling of Packaging
In addition to reducing the amount of packaging used to ship electronic
equipment, CIWMB arranges for packaging materials including cardboard, and Styrofoam to be recycled.
Examples:
- In June 1998, as part of a technology refresh upgrade, the Board ordered
more than 500 ViewSonic 17-inch monitors with integrated speakers. The
cardboard boxes used for shipping were all flattened and sent to a recycler.
(Note: CIWMB later learned that the polystyrene packaging blocks used in
each box could also have been recycled if they had been shrink-wrapped and
palletized for delivery to a recycler.)
- In June 2000, as part of a technology upgrade coinciding with a move into
a new headquarters office location, CIWMB ordered more than 500 Gateway
computer systems. While Gateway was not able to provide bulk packaging of
their systems as described in an example above, Gateway did agree to accept
the empty boxes and polystyrene packaging blocks provided these materials
were handled carefully and could be reused by Gateway. These items were
placed on pallets and shipped back to Gateway's packing material
manufacturer.
- On an ongoing basis, CIWMB recycles or reuses all cardboard, plastic,
and foam packaging materials. Near the freight elevator on every floor of
the building CIWMB occupies, special areas are designated for the cardboard
that is to be recycled. Within the Information Management Branch of CIWMB,
designated containers have been established for recyclable cardboard, "foam"
packing peanuts, and other packaging materials.
Reuse of Computers and Components
CIWMB considers various options for reuse of computers and components.
- Following the completion of a June 1997 disk upgrade project, CIWMB
supported a local organization and reduced waste by donating approximately
two hundred 240 megabyte disk drives to a school district.
- Following a June 1998 technology upgrade, CIWMB demonstrated how surplus
equipment from one department may be put to productive use by another. CIWMB
provided the Department of Toxic Substances Control with 200 Dell POD83
computers which they were able to reuse productively for some time
afterwards.
- As part of its June 2000 technology upgrade, CIWMB took advantage of a
system buy-back option provided by Gateway. Approximately 300 of the DFI (233
MHz) systems were "bought back" by Gateway to be wholesaled to a reseller. In order to save packaging material and
money, the systems were placed on pallets and shrink-wrapped for return to
Gateway. Even though it was felt that the computer cases provided sufficient
protection, CIWMB purchased shipping insurance at a nominal fee to preclude
any potential problems. The Department of General Services (DGS) Traffic
Management determined the cost and carrier for transporting the systems.
- CIWMB retained approximately 200 DFI computer (233 MHz) systems left over following
CIWMB’s June 2000 technology upgrade and will deploy some for other uses such as telework.
- Where appropriate, CIWMB supports its partnerships with local agencies by
loaning them surplus computer systems to assist them in their job duties and
to facilitate access to information available from CIWMB.
- In all other cases, before disposing of equipment, CIWMB sends a completed
Property Survey Report, STD 152, to the Department of General Services,
Property Reutilization Unit. In most cases, an item not reused by an agency
or private buyer will enter into the public recycling sector.
Recycling of "Re-Usable" Components and Materials
CIWMB considers various options for components that can be recycled.
Examples:
Toner Cartridges and InkJet Cartridges. Per various State programs and
especially those fostered by CIWMB, the Information Management Branch (IMB)
currently purchases recycled or "rebuilt" printer cartridges whenever these are
available in the marketplace. For newer model printers, there may be a lag in
being able to use recycled cartridges because it takes a while for the
remanufacturers to figure out how to effectively refill or rebuild them and for
a supply of used cartridges to become available. Also, for some older printer
models, recycled cartridges (as opposed to new) may not perform adequately
perhaps due to wear on other components in the printer. But, whenever recycled
printer cartridges are available and meet the business needs of the organization
with regard to reliability and quality, then CIWMB purchases and uses recycled
cartridges, and most of the cartridges purchased and used in CIWMB, Cal/EPA and
I-Bank are recycled or rebuilt cartridges.
When a cartridge is replaced, the empty cartridge is placed in a special area
near the freight elevators. The cartridges are collected and brought to the
loading dock, and periodically picked up by a local recycling vendor under
contract to provide this service.
CDs, DVDs and Diskettes. When ordering new computers and other peripherals, it
is common for CDs with drivers to accompany them. CDs also come in the mail in
the form of advertisements, internet service providers and catalogs or found on
file as outdated software. CDs and DVDs are recyclable and CIWMB staff are
requested to send all unused CDs, CD-RWs, DVDs and diskettes to the IMB Computer
Help Center for reuse, reformatting or recycling. CDs, defective floppies,
destroyed backup tapes, and batteries are sent to the Waste Reduction
Coordinator who determines the appropriate disposal and/or recycling methods.
Recycling of Unusable Computers and Components
CIWMB considers various options for recycling unusable computers or components.
Examples:
- State agencies typically cannot "surplus"
to the DGS Property Reutilization Unit equipment consisting of nonworking
computers or components. After DGS gives CIWMB approval to dispose of
unusable computers or components, the CIWMB's Business Administration
Office (BAO) makes arrangements with local companies that handle electronic
waste to pick up the materials and to compensate CIWMB for
the salvage value of the equipment or components. Another option is to post
an entry on the CIWMB's CalMAX materials exchange
to advertise "unusable" components to other organizations that may be interested in them.
- For relatively low-cost individual electronic components that malfunction
(e.g., disk drives, sound cards, modems, motherboards, etc.), IMB staff store
the failed components in e-waste bins. When the e-waste bins (actually they’re
cardboard or plastic boxes!) are full, CIWMB’s Business Service Office
contacts a local recycling company to pick up the components.
This case study provides one example of how government agencies and
businesses can reduce the amount of electronic waste generated. In each of the
phases--procurement, use and end-of-life management--opportunities exist to
reduce electronic waste and packaging waste and extending the productive life of
electronics.
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