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More Recycling and Reuse Proposed For Electronic Wastes and Mercury-Containing Equipment
Fact Sheet
EPA530-F-02-018
April 2002
Summary
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is promoting the safe reuse and recycling of cathode ray tubes and mercury-containing equipment. The Agency believes that revising existing regulations for these growing waste streams will facilitate better collection; lead to more recycling and less disposal; and will better protect the environment. It will also help keep mercury and lead out of municipal landfills and incinerators.
Background
Cathode Ray Tubes (CRTs). CRTs are the video display components
of televisions and computer monitors. CRT glass typically contains enough
lead to be classified as hazardous waste when it’s being recycled
or disposed of. Currently, businesses and other organizations that recycle
or dispose of their CRTs are confused about the applicability of hazardous
waste management requirements to their computer or television monitors.
The Agency is proposing to revise regulations to encourage opportunities
to safely collect, reuse, and recycle CRTs.
Mercury-containing Equipment. Mercury is contained in several
types of instruments that are commonly used by electric utilities, municipalities,
and households. Among others, these devices include barometers, meters,
temperature gauges, pressure gauges, sprinkler system contacts, and
parts of coal conveyor systems. EPA has received data on mercury-containing
equipment since 1995, when it issued the first federal universal waste
rule. The Agency believes that adding mercury-containing devices to
the universal waste stream will facilitate better management of this
waste.
Universal wastes are items such as batteries, thermostats, pesticides,
and lamps that are commonly thrown into the trash by households and
small businesses. Handlers of universal wastes follow tailored standards
for storing, transporting, and collecting wastes. These standards are
designed to encourage collection and keep these wastes out of municipal
landfills and incinerators.
Action
Cathode Ray Tubes. To encourage more reuse and recycling, intact
CRTs being sent for possible reuse are considered to be products rather
than waste, and therefore not regulated unless they are being disposed
of. If CRT handlers disassemble the CRTs and send the glass for recycling,
EPA is also proposing to exclude them from being a waste, provided they
comply with simplified storage, labeling, and transportation requirements.
Furthermore, the Agency believes that if broken CRTs are properly containerized
and labeled when stored or shipped before recycling, they resemble commodities
more than waste.
Finally, processed glass being sent to a CRT glass manufacturer or a
lead smelter is excluded from hazardous waste management under most
conditions. If the glass is being sent to any other kind of recycler,
it must be packaged and labeled the same as broken CRTs. The Agency
believes that these proposed changes will encourage the recycling of
these materials, while minimizing the possibility of releasing lead
into the environment.
Mercury-containing Equipment. The universal waste rule tailors
management requirements to the nature of the waste in order to encourage
collection (including household collections) and proper management.
Universal waste generators, collectors, and transporters must follow
specific recordkeeping, storage and transportation requirements. The
Agency is proposing the same tailored requirements for mercury-containing
equipment. Final disposal and recycling requirements remain unchanged.