How we did it and how you can, too

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Beth Redlin Technical Information Specialist,
USA-ARS-NPARL, Sidney, MT2007 North Dakota Solid
Waste and Recycling Symposium
Community Electronics Recycling Events

• How we did it and how you can, too!

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Why We Started Our Program

• We wanted to dispose of our own E-waste in an
  environmentally friendly manner.
• Concern for our environment
• Anticipation of new regulations
• Needed the space!
• Werent many affordable options in our areathen
  saw article in Billings Gazette about a
  Cheyenne, WY company that recycled electronics.
  Discovered they also offered a special community
  collection event rate / program.
• Decided to host an event and open it to the
  community.
• Educate the community about E-waste and its
  toxins and how recycling these products will
  protect our environment.

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Partnering

• ARS Safety Specialist Jackie Couture brought
  the e-waste collection proposal to a monthly
  meeting of the Local Emergency Planning
  Committee, which agreed to help.
• Then presented information to other County
  entities. While supportive of the event, no funds
  were available for it, so used in-kind donations
  from LEPC members and free advertising wherever
  available.

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Building Community Support

• ARS Information Specialist and Safety Specialist
  worked together to create the E-rase your
  E-waste logo to brand the event in the minds
  of the public.
• E-waste group then produced and distributed
  educational brochures, posters, displays, press
  releases, PSAs and later a web page on the
  event. (Samples/templates available on ARS
  website.)
• Organized informational presentations, including
  a luncheon meeting for key local businesses, and
  contacted other LEPC organizations around the
  state to let them know what we were doing.

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Letter sent to targeted businesses inviting them
to luncheon meeting on e-waste.
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Building Community Support

• Did in-kind/no-cost promotions
• Sent notices/press releases to local media and
  various websites and set up exhibits at county
  fairs.
• Contacted local TV channel news shows - appeared
  on noon show, with reporters following up with
  coverage of the event and on the nightly
  news.wasnt hard to get them interested.
• Over the years have used some more
  non-traditional vehiclesgrocery dividersinserts
  into electric bills both of those offered by
  e-waste committee members. Also in process of
  setting up new website.

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Members of Sidneys E-rase your E-waste
group with 07 fair display.
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The Process

• Applied for an Electronic Waste Collection Event
  License with Montana DEQ.
• MT DEQ and 2 ARS representatives then performed
  an on-site electronic waste management audit
  using a checklist downloaded from the federal
  electronic challenge website. http//www.federale
  lectronicschallenge.org/resources/eolmngt.htmthre
  e

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http//www.federalelectronicschallenge.net/resourc
es/docs/onsite_review.pdf
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At right, ARS IT Specialist Kevin Dahl tours the
Tattoine facility as part of the on-site
inspection team.
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Finding an E-cycler

• Make sure they are a licensed facility.
• Ensure the e-cycler doesnt permit exportation of
  hazardous materials or e-waste to third world
  countries or use other unapproved and/or
  approved, but unprotected workers.

Exporting hazards is unethical and obviously
doesnt solve the problem!
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Finding an E-cycler

• Check to see that the e-cycler has insurance in
  case there is accidental damage done to the
  environment.
• E-cycler should be Performance Bonded, which
  means money has been set aside to help pay for
  clean up if an accident does occur or if the
  business fails to comply with local, state and
  federal E-waste regulations.
• Bonding ensures that you or your community are
  not liable for any items that you e-cycled that
  may not have been disposed of properly.

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Other Things to Consider

• Do they provide e-cycling certificates to show
  that the e-waste was disposed of properly?
• Does the e-cycler provide traveling or other
  type of scale? Does the scale meet your states
  regulations?
• What does it cost? Does the cost include labor,
  equipment, transportation, etc.? Do they provide
  special rates for community events?

ARS developed an E-waste event tip sheet
(available on our website) that includes this
information and more.
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tips
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Tatooine employees record weights and serial
numbers on certificates for recycled electronics.
The scale was certified by the Montana Dept. of
Agriculture.
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2005 E-rase your E-waste Event

• 2005 unfunded e-waste collection event in
  Sidney, MT
• Applied for e-waste Event License
• Held public informational meetings one for
  businesses and one for the general public.
• Received valuable report to use as a template for
  our event from Tammy Crone, Water Quality
  Specialist of Bozeman,MT.
• E-waste committee distributed brochures, posters,
  letters to local business and used other low cost
  efforts to get the word out. Different members of
  the committee ran off the posters and fliers,
  while others covered postage.
• Press releases, PSAs and event notices were
  distributed to local media before and after the
  event. Local TV and newspaper coverage provided
  before, during and following the event.

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2005 Event Stats

• 2-day event in June
• Collected 8,385 pounds
• 16 individuals / 8 businesses participated
• Took short survey from each contributor.
• Collected 70 CRT Monitors (which can contain up
  to 6 lbs of lead each). That meant our e-cycling
  event kept 420 lbs of lead out of the local
  landfill.
• Sent thank you post cards to all participants
  giving totals.

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2005 Event Supporters
A local bank and the county road department were
among those bringing items to e-cycle.
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2005 Event Gets Noticed

• Received several calls/e-mails from people
  interested in hosting similar events. Prompted
  us to make our E-rase your E-waste information
  and templates freely available on the ARS
  website to encourage others to e-cycle.
• Several communities and schools have since taken
  advantage of them, including one event targeting
  48,000 residents of a California city and another
  at a Texas school.
• MT DEQ also adopted our E-rase your E-waste
  title and artwork to help promote its own
  e-cycling programs.

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Flyer from Elk Grove, CA
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Flyer from Daniels Academy, a Texas Elementary
School that used our logos for their E-cycling
Event.
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2006 E-rase your E-waste Event

• Received a generous 800donation from Sidney
  Health Center to help defer the cost of
  recycling for participants. Had applied for a
  grant but were denied. Used donation to cut
  e-cycling cost in half for most participants.
• Also received a 500 donation from Montana DEQ
  for advertising, which allowed for paid
  advertisements to promote the 2006 event and our
  half-off sale!
• At the event took surveys from each e-waste
  customer, incorporating questions from DEQ.

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2006 Event Stats

• Collected 9,336 pounds
• 49 individuals (tripled from 05) and 13
  businesses (also increase from 05)
  participated.
• 2005 event ARS accounted for 3,798 lbs. In 2006,
  ARS accounted for only 1,019 lbs, with the nearly
  3,000 lb. difference largely made up by
  individuals.
• Attribute increase to discount offered, but also
  to increased familiarity with the program and the
  fall collection dates (September vs. June).

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2006 Event
The cost for most participants was halved in 2006
thanks to a generous donation from our local
hospital, Sidney Health Center.
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2006 Event - 9,336 lbs. Collected
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2006 Event New Additions

• Continued to send out thank you postcards, but
  also added
• I e-rased my e-waste buttons, given to all
  participants - paid for by 2 members of our
  committee.
• Were able to run newspaper / radio ads and give
  half-off discounts to our e-waste customers
  thanks to the donations from SHC and DEQ.
• Gave Appreciation Certificates to all
  participating businesses and had picture taken
  with our hospital donors which was placed in
  local newspapers.

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2006 Event Some Insights

• Community participants again very appreciative
  that we held the event.
• The average customer age group was 35 and older.
• People traveled as far as 20 miles or more.
• Majority of the consumers felt they should pay at
  least something for recycling costs.
• Consumer survey results showed most willing to
  pay 5.00 to recycle an item, although several at
  our event paid more and had no complaints.

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2007 E-rase your E-waste Event

• This year we did a back-to-back event with
  Williston, ND, described as our Cross-border,
  Cooperative E-rase Your E-waste Event.
• Both communities sought donations to help reduce
  costs for participants.
• Shared a weekend, an e-cycler, publicity
  materials, appeared together on TV noon shows,
  etc. but also did our own thing when it came to
  seeking/administering donations and operating the
  actual events.

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2007 Event Stats

• Sidney
• One day Friday, 8-6, at ARS
• Collected 1,950.00 in donations and used 375.00
  for advertising. Rest used to offer 75 off on
  first 200 lbs. per customer. Ran out by
  mid-morning.
• Collected 18,460 lbs. from 77 individuals and 25
  businesses.
• Pounds collected doubled! Needed second truck!

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2007 Event Stats

• Williston
• One day Saturday, 8-3, at Wal-Mart
• Collected 1,800.00 in donations and used 400.00
  for advertising. Offered 50 off first 200 lbs.
  per person up to 7000 lbs in all. All but 11
  people received discount.
• Collected 11,522 lbs. also from 102 individuals
  and businesses.

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Scenes from Sidneys 2007 Event
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Scenes from Willistons 2007 Event
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Advice for Other Communities

• Have a committee to help withall aspects of the
  event.
• Apply for grants, ask for donations to help
  lower costs for participants.
• Dont necessarily need to spend a lot on
  advertising. Public announcements are usually
  free and effective.
• Event best held in fall (non-summer) months.
• Event should take place in parking lot with 2
  egress spots for easy flow of traffic. Ours is
  held just on edge of community. May want to use
  traffic cones to help guide vehicles.

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Advice for Other Communities

• Let people know money spent to e-cycle may be
  tax-deductible with receipts.
• Check with your e-cycler about special rates for
  businesses bringing larger amounts or schools.
• Be flexible. Communicate!
• Joint event may create some confusion on the part
  of the public, but also allows for increased
  advertising.
• If this is your first event, you may want to drop
  in at another event to see how they do it, if
  possible.
• E-rase your E-waste templates available
  at http//www.ars.usda.gov/npa/nparl
  (Click on Safety Info then E-rase your
  E-waste in Left Navigation Bar)

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Montana Rural Electronic Waste Recycling Program

• In 2006, a state legislator asked DEQ to do 3
  pilot projects and decide if MT should have
  electronics recycling legislation.
• Initially 3 pilot projects, it grew to 5 pilots
• And, Sidney and Bozeman allowed DEQ to join
  their events
• 7 events total in 2006

Sandra Boggs, Recycling and Market Development
Specialist MT DEQ
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Legislation Needed?

• No state legislation necessary.
• Prefer to wait for national legislation.
• Montana first Rocky Mountain State to be working
  with manufacturers and national retailers.
• Voluntary efforts looked productive and
  promising.

Sandra Boggs, Recycling and Market Development
Specialist MT DEQ
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Montana/EPA Plug-In Program
EPA partnerships with manufacturers and
retailers to offer consumers more opportunities
to donate or e-cycle used electronics.
www.epa.gov/plugin

• Manufacturers
• JVC, Panasonic, Sharp, Sony, Philips,
  Toshiba
• Retail Stores
• JVC, Panasonic
• These partnerships are voluntary.

Sandra Boggs, Recycling and Market Development
Specialist MT DEQ
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Community Partners Success

• Solid Waste Departments
• Health Departments
• Water Quality Districts
• Non-Profits
• (local and national environmental groups)
• Private Businesses
• (disposal companies, computer firms, hospitals,
  retail stores)

Sandra Boggs, Recycling and Market Development
Specialist MT DEQ
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MT Events

• 2006
• 7 events
• 169 tons collected
• 3 different recyclers
• 2007
• 8 events
• 5 events so far 74 tons collected already!
• 3 different recyclers

Sandra Boggs, Recycling and Market Development
Specialist MT DEQ
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Funding in 2006 / 2007
3 Participants bore all costs of recycling 2
Staples sponsored participants donated 10 per
unit to local schools 1 Community donor, fees
cut in half 1 Free donations accepted to cover
transportation 4 Participants pay all costs of
recycling 1 Community donors cover partial
costs fees cut in half 1 Donors, city cover
partial costs fees cut by 75 1 City budgeted
to cover partial costs fees cut in half 1 Free
(small grants, suggest donations from
participants)
Sandra Boggs, Recycling and Market Development
Specialist MT DEQ
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Average Prices
CPU 4 to 6 Monitor 7.50 to 11 Cell
phones Free to 1.50 Desktop Copiers 6 to
10 Desktop Printers 5 to 10 Television 15
to 25 (Sidney charged by pound, rest by
item.)
Sandra Boggs, Recycling and Market Development
Specialist MT DEQ
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Survey Results

• Prefer to recycle at municipal recycling centers,
  retail stores, local charity.
• Who should pay?Large majority felt consumers
  have responsibility for their purchases, followed
  by manufacturers.
• How much would you pay?Most willing to pay
  between 5-10.

Sandra Boggs, Recycling and Market Development
Specialist MT DEQ
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Overall Trends

• Events were popular very appreciated
• Events with fees collect slightly less
• Events with incentives (Staples, Best Buy) seem
  to collect more
• Free events collect significantly more.

Sandra Boggs, Recycling and Market Development
Specialist MT DEQ
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2006 Pilot Projects
Amount Collected
Location
Pounds
Tons
Kalispell/Whitefish
16,718


8.36



Missoula
12,161


6.08



Butte
39,355


19.68


Sidney
9,336


4.67


Helena
23,557


11.78


Bozeman
236,000


118.00


337,127


168.56


Estimated weight calculated from average weights
Sandra Boggs, Recycling and Market Development
Specialist MT DEQ
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2007 Pilot Projects
Amount Collected
Location
Pounds
Tons
Billings
26,221


13.11
Kalispell
14,340


7.17
Missoula
18,912


9.46
Butte
70,000


35.00


Sidney
18,460
9.23
Great Falls
N/A
N/A
Helena
N/A
N/A
Bozeman
N/A
N/A
73.97

147,933


Sandra Boggs, Recycling and Market Development
Specialist MT DEQ
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Outcomes

• Relationships with manufacturers
• Relationships with retailers
• Raised awareness
• Diverted 234 tons from landfills so far
• One recycler located in state
• Another recycler seeking a location in Missoula
  or Bozeman
• Events completed despite lack of budgets
• Communities can do this!

Sandra Boggs, Recycling and Market Development
Specialist MT DEQ
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Contacts

• Jackie Couture / Beth Redlin406-433-2020jackie.c
  outure_at_ars.usda.govbeth.redlin_at_ars.usda.gov
• Melissa Meiners and Debbie Richter, 701-774-6400
• E-rase your E-waste templates available for
  public use http//www.ars.usda.gov/npa/nparl
  (Click on safety then E-waste in Left
  Navigation Bar)
• Sandra Boggs406-841-5217 -
  sboggs_at_mt.gov deq.mt.gov - Case studies from MT
  events available here.