Taking Out The Electronic Trash (JPM)

IREM Member divulges methods for disposing of e-waste

by Mike McConnell, CPM�

The following is an excerpt from the�Jan/Feb 2009 issue (Volume 74, Number 1) of JPM�, Journal of Property Management.���

In recent conversation with some property management professionals, one person asked, "what is e-waste and how does your company handle it?"

I had an answer ready as my company has begun to address the e-waste issue by recycling ink jet and laser copier cartridges.

E-waste is the term used to reference electronic products nearing the end of their useful, or obsolete electronics or products no longer wanted by the original owner. This can computers, monitors, televisions, VCRs, copiers, fax machines, printers, video games, phones or rechargeable batteries. As the use of technology increases, e-waste is quickly becoming a worldwide problem. The Natural Resources Defense Council reports that in the United States about 130,000 computers are thrown out every day and over 100 million cell phones are discarded annually.

Fortunately, recycling in general is on the upswing and people are increasingly interested in reducing the amount of trash they contribute to the waste stream. This change in attitude toward recycling means property managers don�t have to spend as much time convincing their tenants to participate in a good e-cycle program. They can focus more on creating an awareness of what electronic products and components can be redirected out of the waste stream and provide some means for redirecting them.

The well known recycling mantra of Reduce, Reuse and Recycle doesn�t just apply to the environmentally friendly disposal of paper and plastics; it also applies to electronics. Some studies show that, on average, people keep their computers three years and their cell phones two years or less. The frequency of electronics replacement means there is a great potential for reuse by others in need. There are numerous schools, churches and non-profit organizations that would appreciate a donation of serviceable computer equipment, as well as organizations that specialize in receiving the equipment, refurbishing it and directing it to a worthy organization.

It is important to know that many types of electronic equipment contain hazardous materials that can make recycling difficult and expensive. The cost to breakdown and separate the useful materials from an electronic component often exceeds the resale value of the salvaged material. Recently, I saw a program on 60

Minutes where environmentally concerned citizens were taking their computer monitors to a well regarded recycling vendor. The vendor was then illegally shipping the monitors to China where peasant laborers stripped out the useful components and exposed themselves to lead and other heavy metal poisoning. Electronic components often contain various amounts of mercury, cadmium and lead, so it is important

to choose a recycling vendor who is professional and qualified to deal with electronic waste.

An indispensable source for information and support on recycling of all types, including electronics, can be found at http://www.earth911.org/. This site offers a comprehensive do-it-yourself manual for recycling in the workplace. If you did nothing else but send a link to this site to your tenants I bet there would be many who would implement some of the suggested recycling tips. Some of the e-cycle help found there is a directory of manufacturer and retailer take-back programs (many electronic manufacturers and retailers will �take back� obsolete electronic equipment) and information on how to use them. You can search for e-cycle vendors, learn how to prep your equipment for recycling and learn about �Reconnect,� a recent partnership between Dell Computers and Goodwill Industries that employs Goodwill�s clients, while providing valuable e-cycling services to business clients. The Earth911 site also has a consumer section that addresses recycling at home.

You can also find excellent resources to guide and support your efforts to reduce the amount of e-waste that ends up in landfills. One of the best is the Rechargeable Batteries Recycling Corporation�s (RBRC) Call2Recycle program for rechargeable batteries and used cell phones. You may have seen their collection boxes at various national retailers such as Home Depot, Lowes, Best Buy, Office Depot, Sears and many retail stores. The RBRC collects phones and batteries, reclaims the useable materials from the batteries, and in the case of the phones, refurbishes and resells them. A portion of the proceeds then go to various not-for-profit organizations.

The telecommunication industry sponsors an outstanding resource for information on e-cycling computers, televisions and other electronic equipment. Their Web site http://www.eiae.org/ has important e-cycling tips and a useful search feature that allows you to look for qualified e-cycling vendors organized by zip code.

IREM Members have free access to the JPM� online archives and the �Online Exclusives,� articles that are only available on the IREM Web site. Non-members can subscribe to JPM� at www.irem.org/jpm.